Milk Thistle

Pronunciation: Not applicable.
Generic Name: Milk Thistle
Brand Name: Generics only. No brands available.

Milk Thistle is used for:

A liver protectant and antioxidant. It may also have other uses. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand.

Milk Thistle is an herbal product. It works by strengthening and stimulating the liver cells, which prevents toxins from entering the liver cells.

Do NOT use Milk Thistle if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Milk Thistle


• you have a history of cirrhosis of the liver

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Milk Thistle:

Some medical conditions may interact with Milk Thistle. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Milk Thistle. However, no specific interactions are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Milk Thistle may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Milk Thistle:

Use Milk Thistle as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Dosing depends on the use and the source of the product.


• Use as directed on the package, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.


• If you miss taking a dose of Milk Thistle for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you take it, try to remember your dose every day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Milk Thistle.

Important safety information:

• Check with your doctor before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter.


• This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for any medical condition. The long-term safety of herbal products is not known. Before using any alternative medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the risks of using this product during pregnancy. If you are or will be breast-feeding while using this product, check with your doctor to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Milk Thistle:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Mild diarrhea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, throat, mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Milk Thistle side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Milk Thistle:

Store at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light unless otherwise directed on the package label. Do not store in the bathroom. Most herbal products are not in childproof containers. Keep Milk Thistle out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Milk Thistle, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Milk Thistle is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Milk Thistle. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Milk Thistle resources

• Milk Thistle Side Effects (in more detail)
• Milk Thistle Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Milk Thistle Drug Interactions
• Milk Thistle Support Group
• 1 Review for Milk Thistle - Add your own review/rating

• Milk Thistle Natural MedFacts for Professionals (Wolters Kluwer)


• Milk Thistle Natural MedFacts for Consumers (Wolters Kluwer)


• milk thistle Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Milk thistle Natural MedFacts for Professionals (Wolters Kluwer)

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