Papaya & Warfarin

Papaya is a healthy and tasty fruit. It is also available as a natural product used to relieve the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. Papaya may increase International Normalized Ratio (INR) test results for patients on warfarin. Papaya comes in chewable tablets that contain 250 milligrams (mg) of papaya powder, 150mg dried juice powder, or 10mg of papain.1

Patients are strongly recommended to speak with their healthcare professional before starting or stopping papaya intake. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes papaya as generally regarded as safe. However, increases or decreases in INR for those starting or discontinuing papaya intake may put patients at increased risk for the adverse events, such as bleeding and stroke, that have been connected to INR results outside the patient’s target range.

  1. Jellin JM, et al. Pharmacists Letter/Prescriber’s Letter of Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 7th ed. Stockton, CA. 2005. Therapeutic Research Faculty.