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Bromelain and Blood Thinners: What to Know First
Bromelain and blood thinners should not be combined without medical advice. Memorial Sloan Kettering says not to take bromelain with warfarin or other blood thinners, since it may increase bruising and bleeding. It also warns about tetracycline antibiotics and allergic reactions. Nervecept has 8 mg per capsule.
Written by the Nervecept label deskUpdated · 4 min read
What is bromelain?
Bromelain is an enzyme from the pineapple stem. Research on oral bromelain is limited. It has been studied mainly for sinus problems and for pain and swelling after wisdom tooth removal (NCCIH, Bromelain).
NCCIH says oral bromelain seems well tolerated, with stomach upset and diarrhea the most common reports. Little is known about safety in pregnancy.
Results for arthritis and joint pain are mixed (MSKCC, Bromelain). No source we use lists a nerve use.
Can you take bromelain with blood thinners?
Not without your clinic's approval. MSK says not to take bromelain with warfarin or other blood thinners, because of possible increased bruising and bleeding (MSKCC, Bromelain).
The same source warns about tetracycline antibiotics, since bromelain may raise their blood levels. How often this happens is not stated.
| If you take or have | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Warfarin or blood thinner | Do not combine; bruising and bleeding |
| Tetracycline antibiotic | May raise the antibiotic level |
| Pineapple allergy | Allergic reactions reported |
| Pregnancy | Little is known about safety |
Do not stop warfarin, an antibiotic or any other medicine because of a supplement. Call your clinic or pharmacist.
Nervecept holds more than bromelain. Turmeric and glucosamine carry similar bleeding notes in other sources (MSKCC, Turmeric) (MSKCC, Glucosamine).
Is bromelain safe if you have a pineapple allergy?
Be careful. MSK says allergic reactions to bromelain have been reported (MSKCC, Bromelain). Since bromelain comes from pineapple, anyone with a pineapple allergy should ask a provider first.
The sources do not give how many people react. Signs of an allergy include a rash, itching, swelling or trouble breathing. Trouble breathing needs emergency care.
Nervecept has a second allergen. The glucosamine is made from crayfish, and the label says "CONTAINS: Shellfish (Crayfish)."
How much bromelain is in Nervecept?
One capsule holds 8 mg of bromelain from the stem. The osteoarthritis trials used 540 to 1,890 mg a day (Bromelain for OA, review of studies). Eight milligrams is under 2% of the lowest figure.
If you take a blood thinner, bring the bottle to your clinic. Bleeding signs to report include black stools, blood in urine, nosebleeds that will not stop and large unexplained bruises.
A small dose does not prove it has no bleeding effect. The sources do not set a safe level, so the caution holds for any amount.
Each line, with its dose, sits on the bromelain page.
What should you ask your clinic before starting?
Ask whether any product with bromelain fits your medicines. Bring the bottle, so your clinic can read the exact amounts.
- Is bromelain safe with my blood thinner?
- Do I take a tetracycline antibiotic?
- Should I stop before surgery or a dental procedure?
NCCIH says to tell every provider what you use, especially before surgery (NCCIH, Using Supplements Wisely). A pharmacist can also review your full medicine list for interactions. Write down every product, including vitamins, herbs and over-the-counter pain relievers, so nothing is missed. Share the list with each provider you see.
FAQ01
Nervecept questions people ask
Is bromelain a blood thinner?
Not by name, but it may raise bruising and bleeding when taken with warfarin. MSK advises against that pairing (MSKCC, Bromelain). Ask your clinic if you use any anticoagulant.
Does bromelain interact with antibiotics?
It may. MSK says it can raise the blood level of tetracycline antibiotics (MSKCC, Bromelain). Other antibiotics are not covered in our sources.
Should I stop bromelain before surgery?
Ask your surgeon. NCCIH says some supplements raise bleeding risk or affect anesthesia, so tell all providers what you take (NCCIH, Using Supplements Wisely).
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a Nervecept licensed U.S. outlet, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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