Hepatitis C and Milk Thistle and Prevacid

  As a recently informed patient of Hep C., my doctor was unable to tell me if the Prevacid I take everyday (15 mg.) could irritate my liver. Is this safe in your opinion.  Also, I understand Milk Thistle may be beneficial. Your views on this please.
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Dear Richard,
Prevacid is a frequently prescribed drug that appears very safe.  Although there have been scattered reports of liver damage due to Prevacid, they are rare.  These isolated reports should not deter you from using Prevacid if there is an appropriate indication for the drug.
There is a large volume of nonmedical literature suggesting that milk thistle (silymarin), a compound considered an anytioxidant [like vitamin E], is a beneficial treatment for those with liver disease. Animal studies tend to support the public sentiment.  In a number of reports silymarin did protect the liver from an assortment of toxic injuries.
The exact answer to your question whether milk thistle is beneficial is " At the present time, there have not been any studies in humans that have investigated whether milk thistle improves the clinical status of patients with Hepatitis C infection.  We do not know if this compound will help you".  It should be added that there does not appear to be any serious down side to trying milk thistle.  I suggest that you discuss with your doctor the option of taking milk thistle and that you establish a protocol for the frequency of liver testing to determine if there is improvement in your liver tests while taking milk thistle.
This informationis presented for educational purposes only.  Always ask specific medical questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: Hepatitis C, prevacid, milk thistle
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