Silymarin: Uses, Price, Dosage, Side Effects, Substitute, Buy Online

Silymarin Information

Silymarin is a prescription medicine. It is typically used for the treatment of Cholestatic Liver Diseases. The alternative uses of Silymarin have also been explained below.

The correct dosage of Silymarin depends on the patient's age, gender, and medical history. Dosage also depends on the route of administration and your chief complaint for which the drug is prescribed. Detailed information has been provided in the dosage section.

Common side effects of Silymarin include Indigestion, Bloating or fullness, Diarrhoea. Usually, these side effects of Silymarin go away soon, and do not persist beyond the duration of the treatment. Consult your doctor if these side effects become worse or stay for a longer duration.

Furthermore, you should know that effect of Silymarin is Moderate for pregnant women and Unknown for women who are breastfeeding. It is important to know if Silymarin has any effect on the kidney, liver and heart. Information on such adverse effects, if any, has been given in the Silymarin related warnings section.

Other conditions have been mentioned below in the Silymarin contraindications section.

Drug reaction of Silymarin with other medicines has been reported. See below for a complete list.

In addition to the above precautions for Silymarin, it is important to know that it is safe while driving, and is habit-forming.

Silymarin Benefits & Uses
Silymarin Dosage & How to Take
Silymarin Side Effects
Silymarin Related Warnings
Severe Interaction of Silymarin with Other Drugs
Silymarin Contraindications
Frequently asked Questions about Silymarin
Silymarin Interactions with Food and Alcohol

Silymarin Benefits & Uses

Silymarin is used to treat the following -

Main Benefits

Cholestatic Liver Diseases

Other Benefits

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Silymarin Dosage & How to Take

This is the usual dosage recommended in most common treatment cases. Please remember that every patient and their case is different, so the dosage can be different based on the disease, route of administration, patient's age and medical history.

Find the right dosage based on disease and age

Age Group	Dosage
Adult	Disease: Cholestatic Liver Diseases Before or After Meal: With meal Single Maximum Dose: 140 mg Dosage Form: Capsule Dosage Route: Oral Frequency: 3 daily Course Duration: As directed by the doctor Special Instructions: For course duration follow doctor's advice
Geriatric	Disease: Cholestatic Liver Diseases Before or After Meal: With meal Single Maximum Dose: 140 mg Dosage Form: Capsule Dosage Route: Oral Frequency: 3 daily Course Duration: As directed by the doctor Special Instructions: For course duration follow doctor's advice
13 - 18 years (Adolescent)	Disease: Cholestatic Liver Diseases Before or After Meal: With meal Single Maximum Dose: 70 mg Dosage Form: Capsule Dosage Route: Oral Frequency: 3 daily Course Duration: As directed by the doctor Special Instructions: For course duration follow doctor's advice, dose may increase according to body weight

Silymarin Related Warnings

Is the use of Silymarin safe for pregnant women?

Silymarin may cause moderate side effects during pregnancy. If you feel its harmful effects, then stop taking this drug immediately, and do not take Silymarin again without your doctor's advice.

Moderate
Is the use of Silymarin safe during breastfeeding?

Due to lack of research work on this topic, the side effects of Silymarin for breastfeeding women are not known.

Unknown
What is the effect of Silymarin on the Kidneys?

Silymarin has very mild side effects on the kidneys.

Mild
What is the effect of Silymarin on the Liver?

Silymarin is rarely harmful for the liver.

Mild
What is the effect of Silymarin on the Heart?

Silymarin has very mild side effects on the heart.

Mild

Severe Interaction of Silymarin with Other Drugs

Silymarin should not be taken with following medicines due to severe side effects it may cause to patients -

Moderate

Losartan

Phenytoin

Silymarin Contraindications

If you are suffering from any of the following diseases, you should not take Silymarin unless your doctor advises you to do so -

Drug Allergy
Diabetes
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Jaundice

Frequently asked Questions about Silymarin

Is this Silymarin habit forming or addictive?

Silymarin does not cause addiction.

No
Is it safe to drive or operate heavy machinery when consuming?

Silymarin does not cause dizziness or sleep, so you can drive a vehicle or operate machinery also.

Safe
Is it safe?

There are no side effects of Silymarin, so it is safe for use.

Safe
Is it able to treat mental disorders?

No, Silymarin cannot treat any kind of mental disorder.

No

Silymarin Interactions with Food and Alcohol

Interaction between Food and Silymarin

Due to the absence of research, it is difficult to say how Silymarin and food will interact.

Unknown
Interaction between Alcohol and Silymarin

Information about the interaction of Silymarin and alcohol is not currently available because this topic has not been researched yet.

Unknown

Frequently asked Questions about Silymarin

Question over 5 years ago

Does Silymarin protect liver?

Dr. Manju Shekhawat MBBS , General Physician

Yes, Silymarin protect the liver. It protects the liver from the damage caused by free radicals because of its antioxidant property.

Question over 5 years ago

How long can I safely take Silymarin?

Dr. Saurabh Dhamdhere MBBS , Orthopedics

The duration of treatment might vary depending upon the patient's medical condition. You are advised to take it as per your doctor's advice. Do not take it longer than prescribed by your doctor to avoid unpleasant side effects.

Question over 5 years ago

Can I take Silymarin without consulting a doctor?

Dr. MBBS , Dermatology, General Physician, Dietician, Infectious Disease, Sexual Medicine & Marital Therapy, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, AIDS/HIV Sexually Transmitted Infections

No, Silymarin is a prescription drug so do not take it without consulting a doctor. It can be harmful for the patient to take this drug without a doctor's recommendation.

Question almost 6 years ago

What is Silymarin?

Dr. Chinmaya Bal MBBS , General Physician

Silymarin is a brand name of silymarin and it comes in form of tablet, capsule, and suspension. It is a prescription drug that belongs to the class of drug known as polyphenolic flavonoid that possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cardioprotective properties. It is used for the treatment of liver diseases.

Question over 5 years ago

Does Silymarin cause diarrhoea?

Dr. Saurabh Shakya MBBS , General Physician

Rarely, Silymarin might cause diarrhoea. It is a known side effect of this drug. However, the exact cause diarrhoea is unknown. You are advised to drink plenty of water will taking this drug to keep yourself well hydrated.