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Chymotrypsin

Chymotrypsin is an enzyme. An enzyme is a substance that accelerates certain chemical reactions in the body. Chymotrypsin is used by some people as a medicine. Chymotrypsin is used orally or as an injection to reduce redness and swelling associated with abscesses, ulcers, surgery or traumatic injuries and to help clear mucus in asthma, bronchitis, lung disease and sinus infections. Chymotrypsin is also taken orally to reduce liver damage in burn victims and to aid wound healing. Chymotrypsin is sometimes inhaled or applied to the skin for conditions involving pain and swelling or infections. During eye surgery for cataracts, chymotrypsin is sometimes used to reduce damage to the eye.

How does chymotrypsin work?

Chymotrypsin has the ability to reduce inflammatory swelling and tissue destruction.

How effective is chymotrypsin?

Chymotrypsin is effective when used during cataract surgery.

Chymotrypsin is potentially effective in the following applications:

  • Burns: There is evidence that chymotrypsin may reduce tissue destruction in burn victims.
  • Hand fractures: Oral chymotrypsin appears to be effective in reducing redness and swelling associated with fractures of the hand.

There is not enough scientific data to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of chymotrypsin for asthma, bronchitis, lung disease and sinus infections. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of chymotrypsin for these conditions.

Safety and side effects

Chymotrypsin is safe when used in the eye area by a doctor. Chymotrypsin can cause side effects including increased intraocular pressure, uveitis, paralysis of the iris and corneal inflammation when used in the eye. Chymotrypsin also appears to be safe for most people when taken orally to reduce redness and swelling after surgery or injury, and when applied to the skin for burns. Not enough is known about the safety of chymotrypsin in other applications. In rare cases, chymotrypsin can cause allergic reactions when taken orally. Symptoms include itching, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips and throat, shock, unconsciousness and death.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of chymotrypsin during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid chymotrypsin.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions between chymotrypsin and medications or supplements.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral:

  • To reduce tissue damage in burn victims: a 6:1 ratio (trypsin:chymotrypsin) in a combined amount of 200,000 units USP four times daily for 10 days.

Injected:

  • Doctors inject a chymotrypsin solution into the eye as part of cataract surgery.

References

  1. Dukes, MSG. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 13th ed. Elsevier: Amsterdam, 1997.
  2. Latha B, Ramakrishnan M, Jayaraman V, Babu M. Serum enzymatic changes modulated using trypsin: chymotrypsin preparation during burn wounds in humans. Burns 1997;23:560-4.
  3. Latha B, Ramakrishnan M, Jayaraman V, Babu M. The efficacy of trypsin: chymotrypsin preparation in the reduction of oxidative damage during burn injury. Burns 1998;24:532-8.
  4. McCue FC, Webster TM, Gieck J. Clinical effects of proteolytic enzymes after reconstructive hand surgery. Int Surg 1972;57:479-82.
  5. Shaw PC. The use of a trypsin-chymotrypsin formulation in fractures of the hand. Br J Clin Pract 1969;23:25-6.