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Overview: Lipase is an enzyme made by your pancreas to help your body digest fat. It is also sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. It is often combined with other digestive enzymes. People often take lipase for general digestive support, including bloating, gas, and stomach discomfort after eating. However, its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, and nausea. Before taking lipase, tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have, especially conditions affecting your pancreas, and any medicines you take.

Uses

What is lipase used for?

Lipase is an enzyme that your body makes to break down fat from food. Lipase supplements available over the counter (OTC) are often combined with other digestive enzymes, such as amylase and protease, and may be used for the following reasons.

  • Digestive discomfort and dyspepsia. Lipase, when taken with other digestive enzymes, might help ease the symptoms of dyspepsia (indigestion). These symptoms include feeling too full after eating, feeling full earlier than usual, and pain or burning in the upper stomach area.
  • General digestive support. Lipase supplements are also commonly used for gas, bloating, and an upset stomach after fatty foods. The benefits for these uses are not well defined.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed lipase for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does lipase work (mechanism of action)?

Lipase is an enzyme, a type of protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in your body. Your pancreas makes lipase naturally and releases it into your small intestine after you eat. Lipase breaks down the fat in food into smaller pieces that your body can absorb. Small amounts of lipase are also made in your mouth and stomach, but your pancreas makes most of the lipase used for fat digestion.

Lipase dietary supplements are usually made by fermenting fungi, such as Aspergillus oryzae. Some products use lipase taken from the pancreas of pigs (porcine lipase), which is the same source used in prescription pancreatic enzyme products. Taking a lipase supplement is thought to add to your body's own supply of the enzyme, which may help you digest fat more completely.

The benefits of lipase supplements for general digestion are not well defined. Some research suggests that digestive enzyme supplements containing lipase might help ease symptoms of dyspepsia. People with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) need much higher, prescription-strength amounts of lipase to replace the enzymes their pancreas cannot produce. This use has been well studied, and prescription pancreatic enzyme products are FDA-approved, but dietary supplements are not. Evidence for otherwise healthy people using a lipase supplement for dyspepsia is more limited and mixed. Talk to your health care provider about which form of lipase is best for you or if you need it at all.

How should I store lipase?

You should store lipase according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of lipase?

The most common side effects of lipase are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Stomach pain
  • Gas
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Upset stomach

There may be other side effects of lipase that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of lipase?

While less common, the most serious side effects of lipase are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Lipase may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking lipase and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin calledhives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Fibrosing Colonopathy. This condition has been reported with high-dose prescription pancreatic enzyme products, usually in children with cystic fibrosis who take these products for a long time. It has not been reported with lipase supplements at typical doses, but the risk cannot be ruled out. In fibrosing colonopathy, scar tissue builds up in the colon (large intestine), which causes narrowing (strictures) or blockages. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Unusual or severe nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, or bloating
  • Severe constipation
  • Severe or bloody diarrhea
  • Weight loss

High Uric Acid Levels (Hyperuricemia). Pancreatic enzymes, including lipase, may increase uric acid levels, especially if you have a history of high uric acid levels, kidney problems, or gout. This condition has been reported with high-dose prescription pancreatic enzyme products. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperuricemia.

  • Joint pain
  • Joint stiffness
  • Joint swelling or redness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use lipase?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take lipase.

  • Fungal-derived enzymes, such as those from aspergillus
  • Lipase
  • Porcine-derived enzymes (from pigs)
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific lipase products they stock.

What should I know about lipase before using it?

Lipase is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Lipase is available in several forms, including capsules, tablets, and chewable tablets. It is often combined with other digestive enzymes, such as amylase and protease. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep lipase out of the reach of children.

Lipase supplements may be made from fungus (Aspergillus oryzae) or from the pancreas of pigs (porcine lipase). Check the product label to find out which source was used, especially if you have a known allergy to pork or pork products, or if you avoid pork products for cultural, dietary, or religious reasons.

Do not take more lipase than the amount listed on the product label. Taking more than the recommended amount does not improve digestion and may increase your risk of side effects.

The FDA has not tested lipase products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using lipase?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if lipase is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

  • A condition affecting your pancreas (such as chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatic cancer) or pancreatic surgery
  • Gout or high uric acid levels
  • Kidney problems
  • An allergy to pork or pork products, or you are unable to eat these products for other reasons

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how lipase could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known whether lipase passes into breast milk. Based on how the body handles proteins taken by mouth, lipase is not expected to pass into breast milk in meaningful amounts. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does lipase interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between lipase and foods or drinks. Lipase is usually taken with a meal or snack.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect lipase.

Does lipase interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

There is limited evidence on whether lipase interacts with other medicines in humans. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using so they can watch for any potential interactions.

The interactions between lipase and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with lipase is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking lipase with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much lipase?

If you or someone else has used too much lipase, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Lipase supplements are available in several forms, including capsules, tablets, and chewable tablets. They are usually taken with meals or snacks. Taking more than the recommended amount will not improve digestion and may raise your risk of side effects.

Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to use lipase safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.