Bromelain Uses, Benefits & Side Effects - Drugs.com Herbal Database

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# Bromelain

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 24, 2022.

## What are other common names?

- Ananas comosus
- Ananas
- Bromelaine
- Bromelains
- Bromelainum
- Bromelin
- Debridase
- Fruit Bromelain
- Phlogenzym
- Pineapple
- Pineapple Enzyme
- Pineapple Extract
- Plant Protease Concentrate
- Protease

## What is this product used for?

Bromelain may help improve symptoms related to infections in the nose and sinuses. Bromelain may help reduce pain after dental surgery. Using bromelain on the skin may help remove dead skin from burns.

## What are the precautions when taking this product?

- Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

- Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

- Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

- Be sure to tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this natural product.

- Take extra care if you are allergic to bee stings or foods like pineapple, papaya, or celery. Also, take extra care if you are allergic to cypress or olive tree pollens. You may also have problems if you are allergic to plants like ragweed, daisy, aster, marigolds, or chrysanthemums.

- Take extra care if you are taking drugs for blood pressure. These are drugs like captopril, atenolol, furosemide, and amlodipine.

- Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, or enoxaparin.

- Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.

- Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

- Take extra care if you are taking antibiotics. These are drugs like amoxicillin, doxycycline, or tetracycline.

- Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  - An infection

  - Blood pressure problems

  - Problems with bleeding or clotting

  - Problems with heart beat

## What should I watch for?

- Upset stomach

- Stomach cramps

- Mouth sores

- Rash

## When do I need to call the doctor?

- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

- Signs of low blood pressure like feeling dizzy, weak, or tired; fainting; more thirst; or skin that is pale, cool, and clammy.

- Fast heart beat

- Very bad throwing up

- Very bad belly pain

- Very bad loose stools

- Bruising or bleeding that is not normal

- Changes in menstrual periods like lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles

## Where can I learn more?

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

https://nccih.nih.gov/health/bromelain

## Last Reviewed Date

2021-03-31

## Consumer information use

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## Further information

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