Chymotrypsin
Scientific names: Alpha-chymotrypsin
Alternate names: A-Chymotrypsin, A-Chymotrypsine, Alpha-Chymotrypsine, AlphaChymar, Catarase, Chymotrypsin A, Chymotrypsin B, Chymotrypsin C, Chymotrypsine B, Chymotrypsine, Chymotrypsine A, L-Chymotrypsin, L-Chymotrypsine, Chymotrypsinum, Quimotripsina, Zolyse
Background
Chymotrypsin is an enzyme. An enzyme is a substance that speeds up certain chemical reactions in the body. People use chymotrypsin to make medicine.
People use chymotrypsin for redness and swelling associated with pockets of infection (abscesses), ulcers, surgery, or critical illness (trauma), as well as many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
People use chymotrypsin for redness and swelling associated with pockets of infection (abscesses), ulcers, surgery, or critical illness (trauma), as well as many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When used in the eye: Chymotrypsin is LIKELY SAFE when used as a prescription medicine in the eye by a healthcare professional. Chymotrypsin can cause side effects when used in the eye, including an increase in pressure in the eye and other eye conditions.
When taken by mouth: Chymotrypsin is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when mixed with trypsin and used short-term. Doses up to 800,000 units per day of this combination have been used safely for up to 10 days. Rarely, chymotrypsin might cause an allergic reaction when taken by mouth. Symptoms include itching, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips or throat, shock, loss of consciousness, and death.
When taken by mouth: Chymotrypsin is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when mixed with trypsin and used short-term. Doses up to 800,000 units per day of this combination have been used safely for up to 10 days. Rarely, chymotrypsin might cause an allergic reaction when taken by mouth. Symptoms include itching, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips or throat, shock, loss of consciousness, and death.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chymotrypsin is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Effective Effectiveness definitions
- Cataract surgery, when used by a healthcare professional.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Burns. There is some evidence that taking a mixture of chymotrypsin and trypsin by mouth might decrease tissue destruction in burn patients.
- Chronic pain and swelling (inflammation) of salivary glands (chronic obstructive parotitis). There is some evidence that injecting chymotrypsin into the channels (ducts) in salivary (parotid) glands might decrease pain and swelling in people with chronic obstructive parotitis.
- Fractures. There is some evidence that taking a mixture of chymotrypsin and trypsin by mouth might reduce swelling in hand fractures.
- Asthma.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis).
- Cough.
- Critical illness (trauma).
- Sinus infections.
- Skin conditions such as abscesses and ulcers.
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of chymotrypsin depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for chymotrypsin. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Chymotrypsin interacts with any medicines. Before taking Chymotrypsin, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Chymotrypsin breaks down proteins.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 03/10/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 01/01/2022 06:46:56. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
