By and large, Wobenzym® is considered to be a very well-tolerated agent that only causes side effects in very few people who are usually harmless. Although the exact pharmacological relationship has not yet been clarified, the enzymes contained in Wobenzym® preparations seem to stimulate the intestinal activity. The most common side effect complex consistently consists of nausea, diarrhea, flatulence and changes in the texture of the stool.
In addition, a reduction in the blood's ability to clot was observed under Wobenzym® therapy. Caution is therefore advised in patients who are already regularly taking "blood-thinning" medication such as Marcumar, ASA or clopidogrel. In addition, allergic reactions to the ingestion of Wobenzym® can occasionally occur, usually in the form of skin rashes. These are usually harmless, but should still be checked by a doctor.
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Also read the article on the topic: Wobenzym®
According to current knowledge, Wobenzym® itself does not have any harmful side effects on the liver. However, if Wobenzym® is taken at the same time as other drugs, it can contribute to an increase in the blood level of these active ingredients and consequently increase their potential for side effects. Caution with regard to side effects on the liver is therefore particularly advisable if these active ingredients are considered to be potentially harmful to the liver, e.g. is the case with various antibiotics and antidepressants, but also with anticoagulants, benzodiazepines and beta blockers.
The list is much longer, however, which is why people who are considering taking Wobenzym® and are also taking other medications regularly should consult their doctor before starting Wobenzym® therapy. On the one hand, he can assess the risk of interactions between Wobenzym® and the other drugs that are harmful to the liver and, on the other hand, if necessary, examine the liver function by taking a blood sample.
One of the most common (but still quite rare) side effects of Wobenzym® is the increased occurrence of flatulence. Although the exact mechanism is not yet known, a connection with a stimulation of the intestinal activity by the enzymes contained in the preparation is obvious.
The flatulence is perceived as particularly unpleasant, especially when it occurs in social situations such as at work or at the dining table, and often represents a reason to stop taking Wobenzym® if there is a long-term existence, especially since there is no effective measure to combat flatulence. Enduring the symptoms can be worthwhile, however, as the flatulence often disappears over time, which can most likely be explained by the gastrointestinal tract getting used to the active ingredient.
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Although the underlying mechanism is not yet known, some patients develop nausea, especially at the beginning of Wobenzym® therapy. As a rule, the nausea is not too pronounced and is not accompanied by vomiting, but it often lasts almost the whole day and is therefore a long-term psychological burden for those affected.
The nausea can be treated with dimenhydrinate (Vomex®), as there are no reports of interactions between this active ingredient and Wobenzym®. For many sufferers, however, the nausea disappears by itself after a certain period of acclimatization (a few weeks).
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Read more on the topic: Vomex®
A few patients develop diarrhea in the early stages of Wobenzym® therapy. The exact mechanisms for this connection have not yet been identified, but it is assumed that the intestinal activity is enhanced by the enzymes contained in the preparation. According to current knowledge, nothing speaks against taking loperamide to relieve diarrhea in these cases. However, the diarrhea often improves within a few days and often disappears completely and permanently after one to two weeks.
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Very rarely do allergic reactions to the active ingredient occur as part of Wobenzym® therapy. These usually manifest themselves in the form of rashes. Although the rashes can be classified as harmless in the vast majority of cases and disappear on their own within a few days, they can also be a first indication of the development of more dangerous forms of drug intolerance, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Therefore, those affected should consult the treating doctor as soon as possible, who can decide whether to continue or stop taking Wobenzym®.
Also read the article on the topic: Rash from medication
Although this observation cannot yet be exactly explained biologically and pharmacologically, the use of Wobenzym® in some patients leads to a reduction in the ability of the blood to clot. For this reason, caution is advised in patients who already regularly take drugs from the group of anticoagulants (e.g. Marcumar) or platelet aggregation inhibitors (e.g. ASA or clopidogrel). Here, if possible, you should start with the smallest possible dose of Wobenzym® and the coagulation parameters should be checked regularly in the first days and weeks of therapy in order to prevent bleeding events.
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Probably the most frequently observed side effect of Wobenzym® therapy is a change in the quality of the stool. The stool of those affected is often softer and paler, and those affected also complain of unusually frequent bowel movements. The latter aspect can usually be alleviated with anti-diarrheal drugs (e.g. loperamide), but these do not change the unusual texture of the stool. The only thing left to do is to reflect on the harmlessness of these changes and to wait for the first few days and weeks, as the stool usually normalizes itself after this period.
Read more on the topic: Loperamide
