Milk Thistle Side Effects, Drug Interactions and Contraindications

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for thousands of years for gallbladder and liver conditions.

The flavonoid complex Silymarin is the main active ingredient in the dried fruit of the milk thistle. It is both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Silymarin is made up of three parts: silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin. Silibinin is the most active and responsible for most of the benefits attributed to silymarin.

While Milk Thistle is regarded as safe, there can be side effects and interactions in some instances. Milk Thistle side effects include allergic reactions for those allergic to the artichoke, daisy and ragweed family of Asteraceae.

Milk Thistle

Herbal Supplement

Liver Health

Detox

Longevity

How It Works:

• Supports liver health & detox
• Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
• Improves insulin sensitivity & cholesterol

Dosage:

Between 140 - 800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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What is Milk Thistle Used for?

Studies have shown a decrease in blood sugar levels and an improvement in cholesterol in people with Type 2 diabetes when taking Milk Thistle Extract.

This is caused by Isosilybin, which is a component in the plant. It has also been shown to be helpful for people with liver damage from industrial toxins, such as toluene and xylene.

In a 2010 study published in the journal Cancer, milk thistle helped in reducing the liver damaging effects of chemotherapy in a random double-blind placebo controlled study of 50 children.

This herbal supplement works in the cells of the liver by blocking the entry of harmful toxins and removing these toxins from the liver cells. This is especially of benefit for people with inflammatory liver conditions secondary to diseases such as alcohol abuse or hepatitis. It also alters bile and potentially helps reduce the risk of gallstones.

For liver disease and impaired liver function, the use of 420–600 mg of silymarin per day standardised to 80% silymarin content is recommended by research. Improvement is seen in about eight to twelve weeks and there are few milk thistle side effects reported.

Additional Positive Effects of Silymarin

Traditional uses of Milk thistle include its use as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, for asthma, bad breath, bubonic plague, biliary colic (pain due to gallstones), bleeding, bronchitis (chronic cough) and central nervous system disorders.

It is also used for cleansing vital organs, clogged arteries, constipation, cough, depression, treatment of side effects caused by diabetic nerve damage, dialysis (kidney replacement therapy), eczema, gallbladder disease, gallstones, hemochromatosis (too much iron in body), hemorrhoids and high blood pressure associated with pregnancy.

Other uses include hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid gland), immune function, infection prevention, ischemic injury (injury due to lack of oxygen), jaundice (yellowing of the skin), lactation stimulant, malaria, menstrual disorders, peritonitis (inflammation of the abdomen wall) and psoriasis.

This supplement is also used for radiation sickness, recovery from surgery, snakebite, spleen disorders, swelling, toxic kidney damage, tumors, ulcers, ultraviolet light skin damage protection, uterine disorders, varicose veins (abnormal and painful veins) and vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels).

Milk Thistle Side Effects

Milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels. Use with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Women with hormone sensitivity conditions like breast, uterine or ovarian cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibroids should avoid this supplement.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, this supplement has caused allergic skin reactions, bloating, blood clots, collapse, constipation, decreased platelets and diarrhea. In some it has caused elevated liver enzymes, fever, gas, giddiness, headache, heart attack and heartburn.

Other side effects from milk thistle supplements include high bilirubin in the blood, hives, impotence, increased creatinine levels, increased lactate dehydrogenase levels, infection, insomnia, irritability, itching, joint pain, liver damage, loss of appetite and nausea.

Other people have reported non-specific muscle and joint effects, pounding heart, rash, severe allergic reactions, sexual dysfunction, stomach distress, skin pigment lightening, skin reactions, sweating, taste changes, tremor, vomiting, and weakness.

Prescription Contraindications

Milk thistle side effects sometimes occur as a result of interactions with other drugs. This supplement should not be taken with antipsychotics drugs Fluphenazine, Promethazine, Haloperidol or Chlorpromazine, with the anti-histamine Fexofenadine (Allegra) or anti-seizure medication Phenytoin (Dilantin®).

It should also be avoided if taking Anticoagulants Plavix, Coumadin and Anxiolytics Ativan, Xanax, Valium and Statins Mevacor and Altocor.

Drugs that affect the blood and promote milk production or affect the liver should be avoided when using milk thistle extract. Speak to your doctor before combining this product with medications used for the skin, heart, stomach, or intestines, alcohol, amiodarone, anti-anxiety agents, anti-inflammatories, anticancer agents, antiretrovirals, antivirals, cholesterol-lowering agents, fertility agents and glucuronidated agents.

It may also interact with hormonal agents, impotence drugs, irinotecan, losartan, penicillin, p-glycoprotein modulators, rapamycin, and talinolol. It may also increase the plasma concentrations of simeprevir.

Is Milk Thistle Safe with other Herbs and Supplements?

This supplement may interfere with the way the body processes certain herbs or supplements using the liver’s cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Milk thistle tea or pills may also interact and cause side effects when used with anti-anxiety herbs, anti-inflammatories, anticancer herbs, antioxidants, antiretrovirals, antivirals, calcium, and cholesterol-lowering herbs and supplements.

It should also be avoided if taking fertility herb, glucuronidated (excretion of toxins) supplements and natural products that affect the blood, and that promote milk production. Herbs that affect the liver, those that are used for the skin, heart, stomach, or intestines, hormonal and impotence herbs are also not recommended to be taken with this supplement.

Milk thistle side effects are generally mild and the supplement has been used for thousands of years. It is especially useful for conditions related to the liver and gall bladder. To be safe, speak to your doctor before taking this supplement with any other drugs, supplements or herbs.

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