Adverse Reaction : Milk Thistle-Associated Toxicity

[Guest guest]

From

Nurses' Drug Alert®

Adverse Reaction : Milk Thistle-Associated Toxicity

[Nurses' Drug Alert 23(7):51, 1999. © 1999 M.J. Powers & Co. Publishers]

A 57-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of intermittent

episodes of nausea, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, sweating, and

weakness.[1] The attacks lasted up to 24 hours, and she felt well before

and after the episodes. Physical examination and laboratory test results

were unremarkable.

Questioning revealed that the episodes began after she had starting taking

milk thistle (Silybum marianum) capsules for both headaches and liver

cleansing, and that each episode had occurred shortly after taking a

capsule. The attacks resolved after she stopped taking milk thistle.

Discussion

Milk thistle, a plant native to southern Europe and other areas, has been

reported to be useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of some liver

diseases. The active ingredients of the fruit, a group of flavonolignans

known collectively as silymarin, alter the outer liver membrane cell

structure to block toxins from entering the cell. Silymarin also stimulates

RNA polymerase A, which promotes regeneration of the liver.[2] Although a

recent review suggested that no serious adverse effects from herbal milk

thistle medications had been reported,[3] the Adverse Drug Reactions

Advisory Committee of Australia has received a report of a woman who

experienced nausea, abdominal pain, listlessness, and insomnia after taking

milk thistle.

References

Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee: An adverse reaction to the

herbal medication milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Medical Journal of

Australia 1999;170 (March 1):218-219. From Woden, Australia.

Fetrow C, Avila J: Complementary & Alternative Medicines Springhouse

1999:430-432.

Flora K, et al: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver

disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology 1998;93:139-143.

============

[Guest guest]

From

Nurses' Drug Alert®

Adverse Reaction : Milk Thistle-Associated Toxicity

[Nurses' Drug Alert 23(7):51, 1999. © 1999 M.J. Powers & Co. Publishers]

A 57-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of intermittent

episodes of nausea, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, sweating, and

weakness.[1] The attacks lasted up to 24 hours, and she felt well before

and after the episodes. Physical examination and laboratory test results

were unremarkable.

Questioning revealed that the episodes began after she had starting taking

milk thistle (Silybum marianum) capsules for both headaches and liver

cleansing, and that each episode had occurred shortly after taking a

capsule. The attacks resolved after she stopped taking milk thistle.

Discussion

Milk thistle, a plant native to southern Europe and other areas, has been

reported to be useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of some liver

diseases. The active ingredients of the fruit, a group of flavonolignans

known collectively as silymarin, alter the outer liver membrane cell

structure to block toxins from entering the cell. Silymarin also stimulates

RNA polymerase A, which promotes regeneration of the liver.[2] Although a

recent review suggested that no serious adverse effects from herbal milk

thistle medications had been reported,[3] the Adverse Drug Reactions

Advisory Committee of Australia has received a report of a woman who

experienced nausea, abdominal pain, listlessness, and insomnia after taking

milk thistle.

References

Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee: An adverse reaction to the

herbal medication milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Medical Journal of

Australia 1999;170 (March 1):218-219. From Woden, Australia.

Fetrow C, Avila J: Complementary & Alternative Medicines Springhouse

1999:430-432.

Flora K, et al: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver

disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology 1998;93:139-143.

============

[Guest guest]

From

Nurses' Drug Alert®

Adverse Reaction : Milk Thistle-Associated Toxicity

[Nurses' Drug Alert 23(7):51, 1999. © 1999 M.J. Powers & Co. Publishers]

A 57-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of intermittent

episodes of nausea, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, sweating, and

weakness.[1] The attacks lasted up to 24 hours, and she felt well before

and after the episodes. Physical examination and laboratory test results

were unremarkable.

Questioning revealed that the episodes began after she had starting taking

milk thistle (Silybum marianum) capsules for both headaches and liver

cleansing, and that each episode had occurred shortly after taking a

capsule. The attacks resolved after she stopped taking milk thistle.

Discussion

Milk thistle, a plant native to southern Europe and other areas, has been

reported to be useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of some liver

diseases. The active ingredients of the fruit, a group of flavonolignans

known collectively as silymarin, alter the outer liver membrane cell

structure to block toxins from entering the cell. Silymarin also stimulates

RNA polymerase A, which promotes regeneration of the liver.[2] Although a

recent review suggested that no serious adverse effects from herbal milk

thistle medications had been reported,[3] the Adverse Drug Reactions

Advisory Committee of Australia has received a report of a woman who

experienced nausea, abdominal pain, listlessness, and insomnia after taking

milk thistle.

References

Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee: An adverse reaction to the

herbal medication milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Medical Journal of

Australia 1999;170 (March 1):218-219. From Woden, Australia.

Fetrow C, Avila J: Complementary & Alternative Medicines Springhouse

1999:430-432.

Flora K, et al: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver

disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology 1998;93:139-143.

============

[Guest guest]

From

Nurses' Drug Alert®

Adverse Reaction : Milk Thistle-Associated Toxicity

[Nurses' Drug Alert 23(7):51, 1999. © 1999 M.J. Powers & Co. Publishers]

A 57-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of intermittent

episodes of nausea, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, sweating, and

weakness.[1] The attacks lasted up to 24 hours, and she felt well before

and after the episodes. Physical examination and laboratory test results

were unremarkable.

Questioning revealed that the episodes began after she had starting taking

milk thistle (Silybum marianum) capsules for both headaches and liver

cleansing, and that each episode had occurred shortly after taking a

capsule. The attacks resolved after she stopped taking milk thistle.

Discussion

Milk thistle, a plant native to southern Europe and other areas, has been

reported to be useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of some liver

diseases. The active ingredients of the fruit, a group of flavonolignans

known collectively as silymarin, alter the outer liver membrane cell

structure to block toxins from entering the cell. Silymarin also stimulates

RNA polymerase A, which promotes regeneration of the liver.[2] Although a

recent review suggested that no serious adverse effects from herbal milk

thistle medications had been reported,[3] the Adverse Drug Reactions

Advisory Committee of Australia has received a report of a woman who

experienced nausea, abdominal pain, listlessness, and insomnia after taking

milk thistle.

References

Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee: An adverse reaction to the

herbal medication milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Medical Journal of

Australia 1999;170 (March 1):218-219. From Woden, Australia.

Fetrow C, Avila J: Complementary & Alternative Medicines Springhouse

1999:430-432.

Flora K, et al: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver

disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology 1998;93:139-143.

============