Milk Thistle

Question 1

Associated Names

Answer 1

Silybum marianum, silymarin, silybinin

Question 2

General / Major Therapeutic Claim

Answer 2

Liver Disorders

Question 3

Claimed Uses and Effectiveness

Answer 3

Possibly Effective: Allergic rhinitis; diabetes; dyspepsia (indigestion); menopausal symptoms; radiation dermatitis
Possibly Ineffective: Hep B / Hep C
Insufficient Evidence to Rate: Cirrhosis; alcohol disease; toxin-induced liver damage; amanita poisoning

Question 4

Safety

Answer 4

“Likely Safe” when used orally and appropriately

Question 5

Adverse Effects

Answer 5

Generally well tolerated, but possible allergic reactions, GI distress, may lower blood sugar

Question 6

Drug Interactions

Answer 6

Moderate rating for drugs, metabolized by CYP2C9 (diazepam, warfarin, etc), CYPD6 (haloperidol, chlorpromazine, beta blockers, tamoxifen, codein, ondanestron), CYP3A4 (cyclosporine, erythromycin, lovastatin)