Although it is a
dietary supplement,
milk thistle can theoretically interact with medications. However, little conclusive information is available about milk thistle interactions. Early research suggests that milk thistle may decrease the activity of certain liver enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down many different medications, hormones, toxins, and various other substances in the body. However, because so little information is available, it is not known which medications might interact with milk thistle or how exactly to handle these interactions.
If you take any prescription medications, check with your healthcare provider before taking milk thistle. This is especially important for medications with dangerous side effects (such as arrhythmia medications or blood thinners), life-saving medications (such as
HIV medications), or those for which the effectiveness is very important (such as
birth control pills). Your healthcare provider may want to monitor you more closely and adjust the dose of your other medications if necessary. In all cases, don't forget to mention milk thistle when your healthcare provider asks about which medications and supplements you are taking.
