Serrapeptase
Summary
Serrapeptase is a bacterial enzyme promoted for swelling and inflammation. A 1984 trial in 174 sinus-surgery patients found less cheek swelling than placebo (grade D), but there are few modern controlled trials, and a 2026 cohort after liposuction found no benefit for tissue stiffness. Evidence for common uses is thin.
Key facts
- A protein-digesting enzyme originally isolated from Serratia bacteria; sold in enteric-coated forms[3]
- Swelling after sinus surgery (D); tissue stiffness after liposuction (no effect, D, observational)[1][2]
- Mostly older or small studies; a 2020 review written by enzyme-industry authors says the reported benefits need more scientific backing and that safety data need detail[3]
- 10 mg three times a day around surgery (1984 trial); 60,000 IU daily for 4 weeks (2026 cohort)[1][2]
- No side effects were reported in the 1984 surgical trial[1]
- 2 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedSerrapeptase breaks down proteins, and lab and animal work suggests it may reduce swelling by clearing inflammatory debris; how much intact enzyme survives digestion in people is not established.[3]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheek swelling after sinus surgery | Improved | Grade D | RCT · n = 174 · 1984 Patients having Caldwell-Luc sinus surgery, multicentre Form: Serrapeptase · Dose: 10 mg three times daily · Duration: Day before surgery to 5 days after Swelling was significantly less than with placebo; no side effects were reported. | 6366808 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| Tissue stiffness after liposuction for lipedema | No effect | Grade D | Observational · n = 50 · 2026 Women with lipedema having tumescent liposuction Form: Serrapeptase · Dose: 60,000 IU/day · Duration: 4 weeks No significant difference in tissue stiffness at 4 weeks versus standard care alone. | 41642311 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
Forms
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 10 mg three times a day for about a week around surgery to 60,000 IU a day for 4 weeks; products state activity in units that are not directly comparable.[1][2]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- People on blood thinners or before surgery
- The studies we cite report no interaction data; ask a clinician before combining an enzyme supplement with anticoagulants or before surgery.[3]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- No safety data were found in the studies we cite.[3]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Serrapeptase
Products from brands we partner with that contain Serrapeptase. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkSerrapeptase Supplement2 capsules: 140,000 IU (70 mg) serrapeptase as gastro-resistant granules; 45 servingsShop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
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Frequently asked questions
Does serrapeptase reduce swelling?
A 1984 trial in 174 sinus-surgery patients found less swelling than placebo; modern controlled trials are scarce.[1][3]
What is serrapeptase made from?
It is an enzyme first isolated from Serratia bacteria.[3]
Sources
- [1]A multi-centre, double-blind study of serrapeptase versus placebo in post-antrotomy buccal swelling.. Pharmatherapeutica, 1984. RCT
- [2]Serrapeptase After Liposuction for Lipedema: Limited Evidence for Antifibrotic Efficacy.. Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2026. observational
- [3]Serratiopeptidase: Insights into the therapeutic applications.. Biotechnol Rep (Amst), 2020. review
What changed
- Effect arrows corrected on 1 row(s): outcomes where a harmful measure fell (pain, symptoms, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, risk) now show as improved (up). No study data changed.
- Independent review: evidence-base key fact now paraphrases the review accurately and notes its industry authorship.
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, year and journal taken from the PubMed record; retraction and expression-of-concern flags checked: none) and abstracts read for each cited row. Product details in Where to buy read from the brand page on the date shown.