Adverse Effects and Interactions
The Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality reviewed the effects of
milk thistle on
liver disease and cirrhosis,32 noting that serious adverse reactions are virtually unheard of. The most common reported complaints were gastrointestinal disturbances, but the overall incidence was no different from placebo. Allergic reactions, ranging from pruritus and rash to eczema and anaphylaxis, are rare.
Drug interactions do not appear to be problematic.