Milk Thistle Side Effects
In case you are on liver treatment or any other therapy which includes the use of milk thistle, you should know something about milk thistle side effects. There are numerous studies on animals, demonstrating its effects.
Facts about Milk Thistle Side Effects
Milk thistle has been used for almost two thousand years especially in treating different liver diseases and conditions (liver inflammation, cirrhosis and liver damage or gallbladder infections). It cal also benefit in decreasing cholesterol levels and reducing possibilities for growth of cancer cells.
Milk thistle side effects are minor and not very common, but knowing them can help in some situations. Consuming milk thistle in great amounts can lead to minimal to severe headaches. This supplement can also cause mild laxative effect. Right after that, problems with gases may occur, upset stomach and bloating, too. You might also feel weak in general. As we said, laxative effects are mild, but if you experience diarrhea, you should stop using milk thistle and talk to your doctor. Other side effects (gas and abdominal discomfort) will also go away once you stop using milk thistle. However, if milk thistle is a part of your therapy, you should talk to your doctor before you stop using it. Your doctor will give you the best advice on how to reduce these side effects, or he can suggest some other remedy. Dose adjustment can solve the problem, but your doctor will decide about this.
Some patients have reported insomnia which can also lead to weakness, tiredness and fatigue. (We all know that insomnia affects the immune system as well). There were even few cases of impotency and sexual drive changes. Other side effects of milk thistle usage could be skin issues like rashes, problems related to heart, loss of appetite etc. All of these milk thistle side effects are usually mild and not too serious. However there can be rather annoying side effects like itching, lip swelling; swollen throat, tongue or even the whole face.
If you experience some of these side effects, you should contact your doctor. Keep in mind that lip swelling, throat swelling, face swelling and tongue swelling are signs of allergic reaction, so you should seek immediate medical help. These side effects are very rare, but they are possible. Some people are sensitive, without even knowing about it. Some remedies are considered very helpful and they have no side effects, but if you take large doses, you will have problems. This can be the case with any medication.
Breathing problems have been reported as well. Using anything in larger doses than prescribed is harmful. The same is with milk thistle. Do not consume it in larger amount than your body needs. There is a risk of an overdose and you might have problems. Do not forget to consult your doctor before you start using milk thistle. If you think that your doses need to be moderated, you should talk to your doctor about this.
This post has 28 comments
October 30th, 2010
I am an epileptic and take Tegretol and Lamictal. I was given a product by an acupuncturist with Milk Thistle as part of it. The Milk Thistle cleaned out my liver to well and took out the needed drugs as well as the bad stuff. I ended up with a major convulsive seizure. There was no mention of this in your article so I thought you should know.
November 12th, 2010
I am glad you posted that, Ben. I am epileptic and take Lamictal, as well. Did you talk to your neurologist about this?
November 14th, 2010
My boyfriend takes milk thistle to, in his own opinion, offset his excessive drinking. When he takes it without drinking I never notice it. But when he takes milk thistle, then consumes more than a few drinks at night, he smells utterly toxic. The smell is so bad it stings my eyes. It’s a clothy compost smell like the inside of a chemical factory. What causes this?
January 4th, 2011
WOW! I also took Lamictal…. which I no longer take for different reasons, but I took milk thistle ad turned into a radish I was so red! It certainly cleans out the system but I would be cautious and make sure you dont have an allergy to ragweed!!!
January 26th, 2011
My sister had been poisoned and had been taking this to clean her system. I am healthy but I took the pill form of this on Saturday. Today is Wednesday and I have been going to the bathroom about 6 times a day. The first day it was 10 times. It is strong stuff!
February 1st, 2011
after a spine opparation i was put on pain management witch i take 10mg of morphine an hour ive just started takeing milk thistle last night and i feel like crap i have hot and shivery colds,sweats,and feel weak, could this be the milk thistle cleaning my liver out after so much morphine in my body ive been on morphine over 2 years now as well as tramadol,paracitamol,diazipan,should i stop takeing milk thistle or just keep going if so how long for ???
April 11th, 2011
You sound like you are having withdrawals. It could be that the Milk Thistle is hindering your body from properly absorbing your pain medication. Be really careful, because after two years, your body and brain are used to having the pain meds in your system. You are likely not making much of the feel-good chemicals necessary to fill your receptors on your own and could go into Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. Please talk to your doctor.
-Ex-Pain Management Patient/1 year clean Recovering Addict
May 19th, 2011
no do not stop Im very glad to see your paying attention to your liver. With that kind of pain management stick with the thistle. Your side effects are from the toxins released from your liver and intestine fat cells. They will circulative through your body to be expelled. they SUCK, they made me feel like I was going to have an MI but as the days went by and my liver being less toxic the side effects began to subside. I feel like bull lol but really good for you. Ahmad . Hy also stick with the recommended dose everything in moderation
February 27th, 2011
I keep trying to find smething in here to tell me if milk thistle will enterfere with my heart medication I take coreg and enalapril and lanoxin am I safe
May 19th, 2011
ask your MD. but whats the reason for you wanting to use thistle ?
February 28th, 2011
Milk thistle dumps the liver of whatever the body is currently cleaning out. if you are taking necessary medications, you should consult with your doctor before acquiring a new dietary supplement, as the interactions could be detrimental. In healthy people, moderate use is recommmended at the standardized dosage for the occasional detox. as with any herbal regimine, you should alternate weeks on and off of all herbs that arent part of your normal diet, to allow your body time to bounce back.
March 9th, 2011
I have been having mild headaches,nose bleeds and going bm 3-4 times a day. I have been taking milk thistle for a couple of months. i have stopped taking it. has anyone else experience nose bleeds. I make sure my nose does not feel dry by moisturizing, but still get the nose bleeds.
March 10th, 2011
I have been taking it for 3 weeks now. I noticed that normal headaches have arrived. (I suffer from sever migraine attacks). Also , I feel that sometimes I almost fall out of my feet (not like dizziness ). I take also S.T. John’s wort. I quit yesterday both of them , to see if this is the cause for the mess. Just to let all know.
March 16th, 2011
My husband’s friend at work told him about Milk Thistle due to my liver issues from type 2 dib. Ive been on it only 3weeks,200mg a day and I have been getting head aches and nausa along with going to the bathroom at a rapid rate I might add,not wanting to eat and feeling so tired that I thought that depprestion may be the problem. Now after reading all of this page im going to stop taking this. Thank you to everyone for putting down your thoughts and reactions to this pill I thought it was the answer to my damaged liver.If anyone has a better idea of what I can do to help my liver, please let me know.
April 26th, 2011
I have been drinking Dandelion Tea either from the leafs or root and the tea helps support the liver. I have never had any side effects drinking the tea. One cup a day is suffient and should be taken only occationaly. It is done in Germany as a Spring cleansing from the winter toxin.
March 18th, 2011
As it states anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin can interact with the Milk thistle, and those on Clopidogril and Warfarin should be very careful because the supplement can decrease their effectiveness (a group of drugs who compete for the same enzymes to make them active), and should not take the supplement without consulting with their physician. Of course it is always a good idea to tell you PCP everything you are on including vitamins, supplements and NSAIDS, as these are not benign just because they are over the counter.
March 26th, 2011
Milk thistle is good for those who are not allergic to it. It helps protect the liver from damage caused by chemotherapy and it’s active ingredient is included in supplements prescribed by veterinarians for dogs or cats that are on chemo. It may also help people with hepatitis or who drink heavily. As is the case with any herb or supplement, discuss it’s use with your doctor and, if it doesn’t agree with you and you have intolerable side effects, stop using it. For most people, it is safe and effective, as they say.
March 26th, 2011
One last thing, the diarrhea some of the posters mentioned may be a necessary side effect of milk thistle use, at least in the beginning. How so? When the milk thistle causes the liver to cleanse itself, the toxins are excreted in the bile and this may cause temporary loose stools or diarrhea. This should go away after a couple of days. Obviously, if it doesn’t or causes you extreme discomfort, discontinue it’s use. If you were told by a health provider to use it, call them and report the side effect also. The cleansing of the liver often causes temporary diarrhea which is a sign that the milk thistle is working.
April 12th, 2011
I have crohns desease and i take sulphsalzaprine anti inflam i have been taking milk thistle foe a few weeks and have had a spell of vomiting 3/4 times in one day now i am 2 days later i am feeling nauseaus and and cant face eating also having headaches , thanks to reading this page im thinking it is related to the milk thistle rather than an occurance of my crohns
April 12th, 2011
It really sounds like some of the things that the previous posters here are experiencing is “Die-Off.” This can range from feeling like you have the flu to sweats, insomnia, and other non-dangerous things.
April 19th, 2011
I took milk thistle (200 mg tablet form) for a a 30 day cleanse at the start of the Spring. I feel great afterwards! my menstrual symptoms were improved tremendously. I didn’t experience any of the side effects mentioned, even when i doubled the dosage. I was also eating specific foods (vegan diet with only whole grains, no salt or sugar). I am currently not taking any prescribed medication, I do take vitamins when I feel i need them. However, I was advise to take it on a clean diet, and only for 30 days at a time then stop.
Herbs should be taken with care and a health professional’s advise who is aware of your conditions and health.
Good health to all.
June 3rd, 2011
I was taking one milk thistle a day for about 70 days when all of a sudden I noticed one of them in the toilet after cramping up terribly. It has been 8 days now that I have quit taking them and I have passed nine more since. I don’t know where these things are stored in my body, but I wish they would all pass so that I might feel a little better. I will never take milk thistle again.
July 16th, 2011
I have Hepatitis B and my sister told me her son has the same thing and I should take Milk Thistle and this should keep my liver healthy. I took one pill last night and woke up at 4 in the morning with my feet itching really bad. This is the following day and it is worse The whole top of my feet and ankles are red and itching like crazy A really bad rash. I am not going to take this any more because I believe I must be allergic to it. I also take Methadone daily from a doctor, but I just found out about the hepatitis. I must have had it for about five years and did not know. I guess I won’t be able to use this product to help my liver.
July 26th, 2011
Milk Thistle help me. But i don’t recommend doing what i did. I had some milk thistle in tincture form. One day my liver shut down or was block. My poop was grey round balls. I was totally yellow and scratching. I took 2 to 3 dropperful of milk thistle. Instantly my skin started clearing up. But it was a overdose and my throat became scratchy. It made it hard to swallow. Milk thistle as good as it is alone for detox should be taken with other herbs for blood clean in low dose only. Just my opinion
August 4th, 2011
I HAVE HEP C WITH A HIGH VIRAL LOAD I ALSO TAKE ALPROZALMA FOR DEPRESSION WHICH I HAVE BEEN WEENING MYSELF OFF OF I AN DOWN TO 3 .25 MGS. A DAY I STARTED TO TAKE THE MILK THISTLE 1000MG CAPSULES THAT I CHEW AND A GREEN JUICE COMES OUT IT GAVE ME A SOUR STOMACH IT ALSO MADE MY MUSLCES START HAVE SMALL SPASMS WHICH IS A WITHDRWAL SIGN FROM THE BENZO’S ALONG WITH SOFT STOOLS AT FIRST NOW AFTER ABOUT THREE WEEKS I AM USE TO IT AND HAVE MORE ENERGY AND EAT NORMALLY I WAS ONLY EATING BREAKFAST BEFORE SO I HAVE NOTICED SOME GOOD AND SOME MILD ANNOYING SIDE EFFECTS BUT NOTHING DRASTIC SO FAR MY DOCTOR RECOMMENDEDS IT
September 20th, 2011
I was put on MT about month ago due to elevated levels. I am on many meds for different things, anxiety, depression, pain, COPD. I have noticed the BM’s but thats ok with me (if safe) have constipation chronic. BUT HAS ANYONE NOTICED it making you feel like you are on speed!!!! By 3pm I have the shakes can’t sit still etc. I am trying to quit smoking and this does not help! HELP
December 19th, 2011
I take Diovan for my heart and high blood pressure. Is is safe for me to take Milk Thistle 200 mgfor my liver from a cyst on the liver? Also, I experience some cramping whenver I use Milk Thistle.
February 23rd, 2012
Thank you so much for this site.
I have lupus, avascular necrosis in my hip, and questionable fibromyalgia. Then I found a naturopathic clinic at a local University. After 6 months of completely eliminating dairy, soy, grains, nightshades and white sugar, the “fibromyalgia” pain was gone. I had been on milk thistle before with no problems. A few weeks ago I saw a new Dr who put me on a different milk thistle pill with other natural detox ingredients. I’m not sure how this dosage compares to my last brand, but I’m having a reaction. A large area on my back is puffy, itchy and dry red patches, a spot on my arm is forming and my left hand is puffy and itchy. The puffiness also is tender like a bruise, I never saw that before. I thought it was lupus flaring at first but I was surprised bc my diet has kept it completely under control. Then I realized that I just started this new pill. I didn’t notice not to take it if you have a ragweed allergy. I am very allergic to ragweed. Oh, my eyes have been red and crusty (sorry gross) and my eye dr noticed definite allergies when she looked inside the eyelids. I’ve also been very tired lately and unable to do my light exercises. I’m making the choice to stop my 400mg per day tonight and I see my naturopath on Monday. I keep a diary of my food, body, weight, extreme moods and I highly recommend that to anyone with a disease. I was able to look back at when the symptoms started and what changed about my lifestyle. If you have a smartphone there are specific health diary apps.