Serratiopeptidase
About
Serratiopeptidase belongs to the class of drugs known as 'non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug' (NSAID) used to provide pain relief in various conditions, including post-traumatic pain, low back pain, cervical pain, spondylitis (inflammation in spinal bones), osteoarthritis (lifelong joint pain and stiffness), rheumatoid arthritis(joint pain and damage throughout the body). Pain can be temporary (acute) or prolonged period (chronic) in nature. Acute pain is for a short time caused by damage to the tissues of the muscle, bone, or organs. Chronic pain lasts for life long, caused due to nerve damage, osteoarthritis, and dental pain due to damage to the tooth nerve, infection, decay, extraction, or injury.
Serratiopeptidase contains 'serratiopeptidase', a protein enzyme isolated from a bacterial cell found in the silkworms. It breaks the insoluble protein (fibrin), a by-product of blood clots, into smaller units. It also causes thinning of the body's fluids due to injury, making fluid drainage smoother in the swollen tissue and relieving inflammation at the affected or injured site.
Swallow Serratiopeptidase as a whole with water; do not crush, break or chew it. In some cases, Serratiopeptidase may cause stomach ache, diarrhoea, nausea (feeling sick), and indigestion. Most of these side effects of Serratiopeptidase do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Serratiopeptidase if you are allergic to painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac. It is not recommended for use in children. Serratiopeptidase may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack ‘myocardial infarction’. It is advisable not to exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment. Stop taking this medicine if you experience tightness of the chest, breathing difficulties, fever, skin rashes, mouth sores, and other mucous membranes causing ulcers, or any signs of hypersensitivity (allergy).
Uses of Serratiopeptidase
Medicinal Benefits
Serratiopeptidase plays a vital role in reducing pain and inflammation by blocking the release of chemical messengers that cause pain and fever. Serratiopeptidase relieves pain and inflammation in arthritic conditions with the benefit of increased antibiotic penetration and micro-circulation at the injury site. Serratiopeptidase contains serratiopeptidase, a proteolytic enzyme that helps break the insoluble protein (fibrin) by-product of blood clots into smaller units. It also causes thinning of the fluids in the body due to injury, thereby making fluid drainage smoother in the swollen tissue.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Serratiopeptidase
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Indigestion
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Consumption of alcohol should be avoided during the treatment with Serratiopeptidase as it may lead to an increase in the risk of liver damage. Patients with a stomach ulcer, gastric bleeding, severe heart failure, stroke, and hypertension (high blood pressure), should not take Serratiopeptidase. Besides this, it should be avoided during the last trimester of pregnancy, unless there are compelling reasons for doing so. If you have a severe allergy to pain killers and, complications like asthma, rhinitis, angioedema (swelling under the skin), or skin rashes, immediately stop taking Serratiopeptidase. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery as intake of Serratiopeptidase may cause dizziness. Patients who have had recently undergone heart bypass surgery should take Serratiopeptidase with caution and only under medical supervision. Use of Serratiopeptidase is contraindicated in kidney failure patients or who are undergoing dialysis.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Drugs containing pain killers (nimesulide), anti-cancer (methotrexate), lithium, iodine, and blood clotting agents (warfarin) should not be taken with Serratiopeptidase as they can worsen your condition.
Drug-Food Interaction: Drinking alcohol should be avoided while taking Serratiopeptidase as it can cause unpleasant effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People with peptic ulcers, gastric bleeding, severe heart failure, stroke, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, alcoholism, and high blood pressure should avoid intake of Serratiopeptidase as it may lead to life-threatening conditions.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Serratiopeptidase to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeThe use of Serratiopeptidase may impair female fertility and is not recommended in pregnant women or those planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeSerratiopeptidase passes into the breast milk so it is not recommended for nursing mothers.
Driving
unsafeSerratiopeptidase may affect driving as it causes dizziness. So do not drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery after taking Serratiopeptidase.
Liver
cautionSerratiopeptidase to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionSerratiopeptidase to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor
Children
unsafeSerratiopeptidase is not recommended for children under 10 years of age. For the dose has to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist only.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include more glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, Vitamin D, calcium-enriched supplements. Besides this, turmeric and fish oils can help in reducing inflammation in the tissue.
- Please do not go for heavy exercise as it may increase your joint pain in arthritis. Instead, you can do stretching, low impact aerobic exercise like walking on a treadmill, bike riding, and swimming. You can also strengthen your muscle strength by lifting light weights.
- In the chronic condition of arthritis or joint pain, including fish like salmon, trout, tuna, and sardines. These fishes are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids that minimum level of chemical called cytokines, which ramp up inflammation.
- Your sitting posture is important, especially when have pain and inflammation condition. Try to sit little as possible, and only for a short time (10-15 min). Use back support like a rolled-up towel at the back of your curve to minimize pain. Keep your knees and hips at a right angle. Besides this, you can use a footrest if required.
Special Advise
- Serratiopeptidase might increase the risk of bleeding during or after the surgery. So, let your doctor know that you are taking Serratiopeptidase before undergoing planned surgery.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain: It can be temporary (acute) or prolonged period (chronic) in nature. Acute pain is for a short time caused by damage to the tissues of the muscle, bone, or organs. Chronic pain lasts for life long, caused due to nerve damage, osteoarthritis, and dental pain due to damage to the tooth nerve, infection, decay, extraction, or injury.
FAQs
A person who is allergic to pain-killers should not take this medicine as it can be harmful. It should also be avoided in a person with a history of heart failure, kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and pain of the joints. In this condition, our body attacks their own cells leading to arthritis.
Ankylosing spondylitis is arthritis of the spine that can lead to the fusion of the vertebrae, leading to pain and inflammation in the spine.
Yes, Serratiopeptidase can cause stomach upset in some cases. So, it should be preferably taken with food to avoid it.
