Safety of Bromelain: An Overview
Bromelain is a popular
dietary supplement that is claimed to be beneficial for a variety of different uses. You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking bromelain if you:
- Have any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Have a bleeding disorder
- Have any chronic or severe medical condition
- Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Are breastfeeding.
You should also make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Bromelain Safety Warnings and Precautions
Some warnings and precautions to be aware of concerning the safety of bromelain include the following:
- Bromelain may cause serious allergic reactions. You may be at a higher risk for bromelain allergies if you are allergic to any of the following substances:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chrysanthemums
- Cypress pollen
- Daisies
- Echinacea
- Fennel
- Flour
- Grass pollen
- Papain
- Pineapple
- Ragweed
- Wheat
- Marigolds.
- Theoretically, bromelain could increase the risk of bleeding, including dangerous internal bleeding. This risk is probably most significant for people with a bleeding disorder or who take "blood thinner" medications (see Bromelain Drug Interactions).
- As dietary supplements or food products, bromelain products are not as closely regulated as prescription (or non-prescription) drugs. They can be marketed without any proof that they are either safe or effective. Do not assume that just because a product is sold or advertised in the United States that it is safe or effective. Make sure to look for bromelain products that are made by a reputable manufacturer. Your pharmacist is a good resource for information about which manufacturers are the most reputable.
- If you have a chronic or severe medical condition, it is always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplement, including bromelain.
- It is not clear if bromelain is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (see Bromelain and Pregnancy and Bromelain and Breastfeeding).
