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.
Is It Effective?
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.
- Cataract surgery, when used by a healthcare professional.
- 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.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of chymotrypsin for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Chymotrypsin breaks down proteins.
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.
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.
It is not known if Chymotrypsin interacts with any medicines. Before taking Chymotrypsin, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
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.
A-Chymotrypsin, A-Chymotrypsine, Alpha-Chymotrypsin, Alpha-Chymotrypsine, Chymotrypsin A, Chymotrypsine A, Chymotrypsin B, Chymotrypsine B, Chymotrypsine, Chymotrypsinum, L-Chymotrypsin, L-Chymotrypsine, Quimotripsina.
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