PlainVitamins

HCl-Pepsin

by Karuna · capsule · 100 capsules

  • On the market (NIH)
  • UPC 0 18647 03106 6
  • DSLD label 299263
  • Serving 1 capsule
  • 100 servings

HCl-Pepsin by Karuna lists 3 ingredients, 3 with an amount per serving of 1 capsule, such as 550 mg of betaine hydrochloride, 175 mg of pepsin and 100 mg of glutamic acid hydrochloride. Its current label entered the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on November 22, 2023.

What is in HCl-Pepsin?

Each row as the label prints it, per serving of 1 capsule. The capsule beside an amount places it among every product in the NIH database that lists the same ingredient: the bar is the middle half of their amounts, the line in it the median, the whiskers the 10th and 90th percentiles; the green tick is the FDA Daily Value and the red dashed tick the adult upper limit (IOM).

HCl-Pepsin: Supplement Facts rows against the market (DSLD label 299263, January 2026 release)
IngredientAmount% DVAmong products listing it
Betaine HydrochlorideBetaine HCl Note: gastric phase550 mgBetaine Hydrochloride in HCl-Pepsin against 914 products550 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 25 mg to 178 mg, the median 50 mg.550 mg

Higher than 91% of 914 products listing betaine hydrochloride (median 50 mg).

PepsinPepsin Note: (1:3000) (gastric phase), from BSE-free freeze-dried source175 mgPepsin in HCl-Pepsin against 223 products175 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 25 mg to 130 mg, the median 50 mg.175 mg

Higher than 90% of 223 products listing pepsin (median 50 mg).

Glutamic Acid HydrochlorideGlutamic Acid HCl Note: gastric phase100 mgGlutamic Acid in HCl-Pepsin against 697 products100 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 25 mg to 364 mg, the median 80 mg.100 mg

Higher than 52% of 697 products listing glutamic acid (median 80 mg).

Source: NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Label Database, label 299263 (entered November 22, 2023), version 9.4.0. See the label on DSLD or its label image (PDF). Amounts are what the maker printed; DSLD does not test products. Daily Values: the FDA's Daily Value page.

Is that a lot?

The rows in the top or bottom tenth of the products that list the same ingredient, and any above the adult upper limit at the most servings a day the directions give:

  • Its 550 mg of betaine hydrochloride is higher than 91% of the 914 betaine hydrochloride products that print an amount; 80 list more.

The NIH database records one serving a day from the label's directions; its % Daily Values are for adults and children 4 or more years of age. The directions as printed are further down this page.

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the most of a nutrient per day, from food, water and supplements together, that is likely to pose no risk for almost all adults (Institute of Medicine, 2011). It does not apply under medical supervision. This page compares labels; it is not medical advice.

Sources: amounts from the DSLD label; Daily Values from 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv); adult upper limits from the Institute of Medicine's DRI summary tables (2011). How positions are computed.

Which products have the closest formulas?

The products whose ingredient lists overlap most with HCl-Pepsin's, rare ingredients counting for more.

Source: ingredient lists of every product's current label in DSLD (version 9.4.0); similarity weights each shared ingredient by how rare it is.

What does the label say about taking it?

Quoted from the label as DSLD transcribed it: the maker's words, including any claim about what the product does, which the FDA has not evaluated and PlainVitamins does not endorse.

Directions
Suggested use for adults: One or more capsules, taken with meals, or as directed by your health care practitioner.
Warnings
Caution: Patients with active peptic ulcer should consult their physician before use.
Allergens and what it does not contain
This product contains no yeast, wheat, soy, corn, milk, salt, sugar, artificial coloring, preservatives or flavoring.
Storage
Keep in a cool, dry place, tightly capped.

Source: label statements in DSLD label 299263.

What else is on the label?

Other ingredients: Magnesium Stearate, Rice Flour, Gelatin.

How many labels does HCl-Pepsin have?

3 labels are on file under this name since August 23, 2013: other sizes, label designs and reformulations. The current one leads this page.

  1. Label 299263 (current) Entered November 22, 2023 · on the market · 100 capsules · UPC 0 18647 03106 6
  2. Label 262707 Entered April 11, 2022 · off the market September 6, 2022 · 100 capsules · UPC 0 18647 03106 6
  3. Label 24416 Entered August 23, 2013 · off the market September 20, 2021 · 100 Vegetarian Capsules · UPC 0 18647 03106 6

Source: DSLD label entry and market events, version 9.4.0 (labels entered through September 25, 2025).

Who makes it?

The label names Karuna Corporation (manufacturer), Novato, CA. All Karuna products.

Where next?