Overview
Bromelain causes the body to make substances that fight pain and swelling. Bromelain also contains chemicals that seem to interfere with tumor cells and slow blood clotting.
People use bromelain for muscle soreness, pain, burns, kidney stones, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse bromelain with other proteolytic enzymes (proteases), such as chymotrypsin, ficin, papain, serrapeptase, or trypsin. These are not the same.
Uses & Effectiveness ?
We currently have no information for BROMELAIN overview.
Side Effects
When applied to the skin: Bromelain is possibly safe. It might cause allergic reactions in some people.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Allergies: People with other allergies might also be allergic to bromelain. Use cautiously if you are allergic to pineapple, latex, ragweed, Echinacea, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, wheat, celery, papain, carrot, fennel, cypress pollen, grass pollen, or other plants.
Surgery: Bromelain might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using bromelain at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions ?
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BROMELAIN
Bromelain might slow blood clotting. Taking bromelain along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with BROMELAIN
Taking bromelain might increase how much antibiotic the body absorbs. Taking bromelain along with some antibiotics called tetracyclines might increase the effects and side effects of these antibiotics.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
Dosing
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Kumakura, S., Yamashita, M., and Tsurufuji, S. Effect of bromelain on kaolin-induced inflammation in rats. Eur.J Pharmacol 6-10-1988;150(3):295-301. View abstract.
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Miller JM, Ginsberg M, McElfatrick GC, and et al. The administration of bromelain orally in the treatment of inflammation and edema. Exper Med & Surg 1964;22:293-299.
Morrison AW and Morrison MC. Bromelain - a clinical assessment in the post-operative treatment of arthrotomies of the knee and facial injuries. Brit J Clin Pract 1965;19(4):207-210.
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Mynott, T. L., Guandalini, S., Raimondi, F., and Fasano, A. Bromelain prevents secretion caused by Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli enterotoxins in rabbit ileum in vitro. Gastroenterology 1997;113(1):175-184. View abstract.
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Seltzer, A. P. Minimizing post-operative edema and ecchymoses by the use of an oral enzyme preparation (bromelain). A controlled study of 53 rhinoplasty cases. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon. 1962;41:813-817. View abstract.
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Spaeth, G. L. The effect of bromelains on the inflammatory response caused by cataract extraction: a double-blind study. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon. 1968;47(12):634-639. View abstract.
Tassman GC, Zafran JN, and Zayon GM. A double-blind crossover study of a plant proteolytic enzyme in oral surgery. J Dent Med 1965;20(2):51-54.
Tassman GC, Zafran JN, and Zayon GM. Evaluation of a plant proteolytic enzyme for the control of inflammation and pain. Journal of Dental Medicine 1964;19(2):73-77.
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Zatuchni, G. I. and Colombi, D. J. Bromelains therapy for the prevention of episiotomy pain. Obstet Gynecol. 1967;29(2):275-278. View abstract.
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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. View abstract.
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Majid OW, Al-Mashhadani BA. Perioperative bromelain reduces pain and swelling and improves quality of life measures after mandibular third molar surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2014;72(6):1043-8. View abstract.
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Michelini S, Fiorentino A, Cardone M. Melilotus, rutin and bromelain in primary and secondary lymphedema. Lymphology 2019;52(4):177-86. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
Müller S, März R, Schmolz M, et al. Placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial on the immunomodulating activities of low- and high-dose bromelain after oral administration - new evidence on the antiinflammatory mode of action of bromelain. Phytother Res. 2013;27(2):199-204. View abstract.
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Nettis E, Napoli G, Ferrannini A, Tursi A. IgE-mediated allergy to bromelain. Allergy 2001;56:257-8. View abstract.
Notarnicola A, Pesce V, Vicenti G, et al. SWAAT study: extracorporeal shock wave therapy and arginine supplementation and other nutraceuticals for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Adv Ther. 2012 Sep;29:799-814. View abstract.
Palmisano F, Spinelli MG, Luzzago S, et al. Medical Expulsive Therapy for Symptomatic Distal Ureter Stones: Is the Combination of Bromelain and Tamsulosin More Effective than Tamsulosin Alone? Preliminary Results of a Single-Center Study. Urol Int. 2019;102(2):145-152. View abstract.
Perez-Camo I, Quirce S, Duran MA, et al. Latex allergy: evidence of cross-reactivity with papain and bromelain [abstract]. Allergy 1996;51:48.
Rosenberg L, Krieger Y, Bogdanov-Berezovski A, et al. A novel rapid and selective enzymatic debridement agent for burn wound management: a multi-center RCT. Burns. 2014;40(3):466-74. View abstract.
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Ryan RE. A double-blind clinical evaluation of bromelains in the treatment of acute sinusitis. Headache 1967;7:13-17. View abstract.
Seltzer AP. Adjunctive use of bromelains in sinusitis: a controlled study. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon 1967;46:1281, 1284, 1286-8. View abstract.
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Valueva TA, Revina TA, Mosolov VV. Potato tuber protein proteinase inhibitors belonging to the Kunitz soybean inhibitor family. Biochemistry (Mosc) 1997;62:1367-74. View abstract.
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