Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 5 of 8 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Wholezyme Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Whole Foods Market

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Wholezyme is a dietary supplement by Whole Foods Market with 8 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for inflammation and swelling, sinus and nasal congestion, digestion support.Based on those ingredients, 141 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bromelain, Papain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Wholezyme by Whole Foods Market

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 8 active ingredients.
  • “Digestive Enzyme Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (77 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Wholezyme contains 8 ingredients, several of which are digestive enzymes that help break down food. Bromelain (from pineapple) and papain (from papaya) are proteases — they break down proteins.

The product also includes protease, lipase (breaks down fats), amylase (breaks down carbohydrates), cellulase, and hemicellulase, plus lactase, which helps digest milk sugar (lactose). The remaining ingredients are inactive — microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable capsule, rice bran, rice flour, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide — these are fillers and binders.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Digestive enzyme support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dyspepsia, Lactose intolerance, Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), Rhinosinusitis, Postoperative swelling — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lactase is rated "Effective" for Lactose intolerance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Papain is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Wound healing.
  • Also on file: Lipase is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dyspepsia.

The evidence on whether Wholezyme works for most conditions is insufficient. For bromelain, insufficient reliable evidence exists for hay fever, burns, cancer, nerve pain, chronic venous insufficiency, and diabetes.

Papain also lacks sufficient evidence for cancer, dental cavities, radiation burns, muscle soreness, shingles, and parasitic infections. Lactase is the one exception — it is effective for lactose intolerance.

Lipase and the other enzymes lack established evidence for inflammatory bowel disease or indigestion.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bromelain Papain Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lactase Lipase

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bromelain is generally well tolerated short-term, but long-term safety data is limited. Oral bromelain may cause diarrhea, flatulence, stomach upset, and headache.

In people sensitive to it, allergic reactions are possible, including IgE-mediated responses. If inhaled, bromelain can trigger asthma and allergic symptoms like throat itching and eye irritation.

Papain is well tolerated at appropriate doses but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals — high doses are unsafe and may cause severe stomach inflammation or esophageal damage. Protease, lactase, and lipase are generally well tolerated, though allergic reactions and digestive upset are possible in sensitive people.

Lactase is rated likely safe in pregnancy. Bromelain and papain are not recommended in pregnancy — evidence advises against them.

Papain is avoided in pregnancy due to safety concerns with concentrated forms and unripe papaya. Breastfeeding safety is unknown or poorly studied for bromelain, papain, protease, and lipase; avoid these or speak with your doctor first.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bromelain Papain Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lactase Lipase

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Papain, Bromelain.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 141 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take warfarin (Coumadin) or any blood thinner, check your exact medication with the tool below — papain may increase warfarin's effects dangerously. Anyone on anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs (like aspirin or clopidogrel) should also check before use, as bromelain may raise bleeding risk.

If you take tetracycline antibiotics, confirm compatibility with your pharmacist, though evidence of a real-world interaction is mixed.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Wholezyme is a multi-enzyme digestive supplement where lactase has proven effectiveness for lactose intolerance, but evidence is insufficient for the other enzymes' marketed uses. If you take a blood thinner, antiplatelet drug, or tetracycline antibiotic, you must check this product against your specific medications before starting.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Talk to your pharmacist or doctor first, especially about bromelain and papain.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 5 of 8 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 22, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Wholezyme, straight from the product label.

Brand Whole Foods Market
Barcode (UPC) 099482283216
Net contents 180 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 22, 2022
DSLD ID 277442
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Wholezyme by Whole Foods Market, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
099482283216
IngredientAmount% DV
Bromelain0 NP--
Papain0 NP--
Protease0 NP--
Lactase0 NP--
Cellulase0 NP--
Hemicellulase0 NP--
Digestive Enzyme Blend77 mg--
Lipase0 NP--
Amylase0 NP--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable capsule, Rice Bran, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Precautions

Milk, wheat, and soy ingredients are used in fermentation process of enzymes. Product may contain traces of milk, wheat and soy. Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts, eggs, shellfish and fish.

Note: If you are pregnant, nursing, have any health condition or are taking any medications, consult your health care practitioner before using this product.

Tamer evident, use only if seal is intact.

Keep out of reach of children.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Copyright 2015 Whole Foods Market IP, LP

Formulation

Contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Digestion

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Bottle is made from 100% PCR content 1 Pete Please recycle

Seals/Symbols

GMP Good Manufacturing Practices

Formula

Digestive enzyme complex A blend of 9 enzymes helps alleviate gas and bloating

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take 2 capsules up to 3 times daily with food.

See for yourself

Wholezyme by Whole Foods Market label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Wholezyme by Whole Foods Market

These are the 8 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Digestive Enzyme Blend

77 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable capsule, Rice Bran, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Wholezyme by Whole Foods Market Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Wholezyme?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
141Drugs
122 Moderate 19 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Bromelain 141
Papain 2

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Wholezyme with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Bromelain2 drug types · 141 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
There is one case report of a patient experiencing minor bruising while taking bromelain with naproxen. Bromelain is thought to have antiplatelet activity. Whether this interaction is of concern with topical bromelain is unclear. Interference with coagulation of burn wounds has been reported in a patient receiving bromelain-based enzymatic debridement. However, observational research has found that topical bromelain debridement is not associated with increases or decreases in laboratory markers of coagulation when compared with surgical debridement.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tetracycline Antibiotics

Theoretically, bromelain might increase levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Laboratory research suggests that bromelain might increase the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics. However, a study in healthy adults reported no difference in tetracycline plasma levels when a 500 mg dose was taken with or without bromelain 80 mg.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Papain1 drug type · 2 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, papain might increase the effects and side effects of warfarin.
In one case report, a patient previously stable on warfarin was found to have an international normalization ratio (INR) of 7.4, which was attributed to ingestion of a supplement containing papain from papaya extract.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Wholezyme, from the product label.

Whole Foods Market

See all Whole Foods Market products
Name
Whole Foods Market
Street Address
550 Bowie Street
City
Austin
State
TX
ZipCode
78703
Web Address
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Wholezyme by Whole Foods Market: Common Questions

Does Wholezyme by Whole Foods Market interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Wholezyme has a known interaction with 141 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Wholezyme contains 8 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will this help my digestion?
The digestive enzymes in Wholezyme lack sufficient evidence to confirm they work for indigestion or inflammatory bowel disease. Lactase — which breaks down milk sugar — is proven effective for lactose intolerance. For the others, the evidence just isn't established yet.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
No. Bromelain and papain are not recommended in pregnancy — the safety data advises against them. Lactase is rated likely safe, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these enzymes while pregnant.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking this?
Breastfeeding safety is unknown or poorly studied for bromelain, papain, protease, and lipase. Lactase has limited data but acts only in the gut. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using this product while breastfeeding.
What side effects might I notice?
Bromelain may cause diarrhea, gas, stomach upset, and headache. Papain may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. In people with airborne exposure, both can cause asthma and respiratory symptoms. Most people tolerate these enzymes at normal doses, but digestive upset and allergies are possible.
What is papain, and why is it in this product?
Papain is an enzyme from papaya that breaks down proteins, similar to bromelain from pineapple. It's included as a digestive enzyme. However, it can interact with warfarin and other blood thinners, so check your medications before taking this product.
Does lactase in this product help with lactose intolerance?
Lactase is proven effective for lactose intolerance — it breaks down milk sugar so your body can digest dairy. It's the only ingredient in Wholezyme with solid evidence behind it, and it's generally well tolerated.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Wholezyme is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Wholezyme label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Wholezyme’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Wholezyme's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 35 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Bromelain 19 references
  1. Nettis E, Napoli G, Ferrannini A, Tursi A. IgE-mediated allergy to bromelain. Allergy 2001;56:257-8. PubMed
  2. Taussig SJ, Batkin S. Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol 1988;22:191-203.. PubMed
  3. Bradbrook ID, Morrison PJ, Rogers HJ. The effect of bromelain on the absorption of orally administered tetracycline. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1978;6:552-4. PubMed
  4. Bush TM, Rayburn KS, Holloway SW, et al. Adverse interactions between herbal and dietary substances and prescription medications: a clinical survey. Altern Ther Health Med 2007;13:30-5.
  5. Brien S, Lewith G, Walker AF, et al. Bromelain as an adjunctive treatment for moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. QJM 2006;99:841-50. PubMed
  6. Mori S, Ojima Y, Hirose T, et al. The clinical effect of proteolytic enzyme containing bromelain and trypsin on urinary tract infection evaluated by double blind method. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Jpn 1972;19:147-53.
  7. Glaser D, Hilberg T. The influence of bromelain on platelet count and platelet activity in vitro. Platelets 2006;17:37-41. PubMed
  8. Heinicke R M, van der Wal L, Yokoyama M. Effect of bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation. Experientia 1972;28:844-5. PubMed
  9. Gailhofer, G., Wilders-Truschnig, M., Smolle, J., and Ludvan, M. Asthma caused by bromelain: an occupational allergy. Clin Allergy 1988;18(5):445-450. PubMed
  10. Mattei, O., Fabri, G., and Farina, G. [Occupational health experience regarding four cases of asthma due to bromelain (author's transl)]. Medicina del Lavoro 1979;70(5):404-409.
  11. Galleguillos, F. and Rodriguez, J. C. Asthma caused by bromelin inhalation. Clin Allergy 1978;8(1):21-24. PubMed
  12. Perez-Camo I, Quirce S, Duran MA, and et al. Latex allergy: evidence of cross-reactivity with papain and bromelain [abstract]. Allergy 1996;51(suppl 31):48.
  13. Martin GJ, Ehrenreich J, and Asbell N. Bromelain: pineapple proteases with anti-edema activity. Exp Med Surg 1962;20:227-247.
  14. Kasemsuk T, Saengpetch N, Sibmooh N, Unchern S. Improved WOMAC score following 16-week treatment with bromelain for knee osteoarthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2016 Oct;35(10):2531-40. PubMed
  15. Kutlu Ö, DemirbaS A, Elmas ÖF, Güvenç U, Metin A. Fixed drug eruption: a new side effect of bromelain. Contact Dermatitis 2020. Online ahead of print. PubMed
  16. Shoham Y, Shapira E, Haik J, et al. Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of chronic wounds: Results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial. Wound Repair Regen 2021;29(6):899-907. PubMed
  17. Pfister P, Garcia Wendel PD, Kim BS, et al. Coagulation side effects of enzymatic debridement in burned patients. Burns 2022. PubMed
  18. Hasham S, Riyat H, Fletcher A, O'Boyle CP, Alexander S. To bleed or not to bleed? Case series and discussion of haemorrhage risk with enzymatic debridement in burn injuries. Scars Burn Heal 2023;9:20595131231168333. PubMed
  19. Leelakanok N, Petchsomrit A, Janurai T, Saechan C, Sunsandee N. Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Health 2023. PubMed

See these in context on the Bromelain monograph →

Papain 11 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Shaw D, Leon C, Kolev S, Murray V. Traditional remedies and food supplements: a 5-year toxicological study (1991-1995). Drug Saf 1997;17:342-56.
  3. Shuttleworth D, Hill S, Marks R, Connelly DM. Relief of experimentally induced pruritus with a novel eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic agents. Br J Dermatol 1988;119:535-40.
  4. Mansfield LE, Ting S, Haverly RW, Yoo TJ. The incidence and clinical implications of hypersensitivity to papain in an allergic population, confirmed by blinded oral challenge. Ann Allergy 1985;55:541-3.
  5. Martin, T., Uhder, K., Kurek, R., Roeddiger, S., Schneider, L., Vogt, H. G., Heyd, R., and Zamboglou, N. Does prophylactic treatment with proteolytic enzymes reduce acute toxicity of adjuvant pelvic irradiation? Results of a double-blind randomized trial PubMed
  6. Walker-Renard, P. Update on the medicinal management of phytobezoars. Am J Gastroenterol. 1993;88(10):1663-1666.
  7. Tymoszuk D, Wiszniewska M, Walusiak-Skorupa J. Papain-induced occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma - A case report. Med Pr 2016;67(1):109-12. PubMed
  8. Soto-Mera MT, López-Rico MR, Filgueira JF, et al. Occupational allergy to papain. Allergy 2000;55(10):983-4. PubMed
  9. Tarlo SM, Shaikh W, Bell B, et al. Papain-induced allergic reactions. Clin Allergy 1978;8(3):207-15. PubMed
  10. Baur X, König G, Bencze K, Fruhmann G. Clinical symptoms and results of skin test, RAST and bronchial provocation test in thirty-three papain workers: Evidence for strong immunogenic potency and clinically relevant proteolytic e?ects of airborne papain. C
  11. Novey HS, Keenan WJ, Fairshter RD, Wells ID, Wilson AF, Culver BD. Pulmonary disease in workers exposed to papain: clinico-physiological and immunological studies. Clin Allergy 1980;10(6):721-31. PubMed

See these in context on the Papain monograph →

Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) 3 references
  1. Weeks JA, Harper RA, Simon RA, Burdick JD. Assessment of sensitization risk of a laundry pre-spotter containing protease. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2011;30(4):272-9. PubMed
  2. Marquès LI, Lara S, Abós T, Bartolomé B. Occupational rhinitis due to pepsin. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16(2):136-7. DOI
  3. Cartier A, Malo JL, Pineau L, Dolovich J. Occupational asthma due to pepsin. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1984;73(5 Pt 1):574-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) monograph →

Lactase 1 reference
  1. Laukkanen A, Ruoppi P, Remes S, Koistinen T, Mäkinen-Kiljunen S. Lactase-induced occupational protein contact dermatitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Contact Dermatitis. 2007;57(2):89-93. PubMed

See these in context on the Lactase monograph →

Lipase 1 reference
  1. Casper C, Hascoet JM, Ertl T, et al. Recombinant bile salt-stimulated lipase in preterm infant feeding: A randomized phase 3 study. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0156071. PubMed

See these in context on the Lipase monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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