Uses & Effectiveness
Effective for
- Cataract surgery, when used by a healthcare professional.
Overview
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.
Chymotrypsin is not a vitamin, but rather an enzyme found in the small intestine that aids in the digestion of proteins by breaking them down into smaller molecules.
Side Effects
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.
Interactions
We currently have no information for CHYMOTRYPSIN overview.
Special Precautionsand Warnings
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. 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.
Dosing
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.
