Papain contains only the single enzyme papain which is a protease enzyme. It is specific to digesting protein. Papain is extracted from the papaya to make meat tenderizer although Bromelain from the pineapple fruit is also a protease and is now used for producing meat tenderizers.

Papain being a single enzyme does not contain amylase to break down carbohydrates. The salivary glands in addition to the pancreas produce amylase which may be enough for patients to handle a carbohydrate load. Papaya also does not contain any lipase, the enzyme needed to digest fats. A meal other than low fat could be problematic for some from not digesting the fat soluble vitamins to GI tract issues of diarrhea, loose stools and gas.

There are OTC brands of pancrealipase such as Vital Nutrients and Digestive Gold as examples that are considerably less expensive and are a blend of the three digestive enzymes ensuring nutrients and vitamins from carbohydrates, fats and protein are more efficiently absorbed. Vital Nutrients also produces a vegan version where none of the three digestive enzymes come from porcine pancreas. They are either plant or bacteria derived.