TOPIC:

Came across this the other day and thought it might be helpful...list of herbs in relation to their liver-safety and also potential interaction with meds. For example, I'm a vegetarian and soy was something I did NOT know about!


Herbal dietary supplements glossary

Also handy pdf for printing hcvadvocate.org/library/Herb_Glossary.pdf

Hey zhuk also noted this on wiki on the sofosbuvir page, st johns wort is an old remedy for liver complaints, hence a lot of hep c sufferers use it, its definetly not to be used with sof, I would cease use of the herb st marys thistle or any st johns wort remedy preferably weeks before using the new DAAs
from wiki on Sof:

Interactions
Sofosbuvir is a substrate of P-glycoprotein, a transporter protein that pumps drugs and other substances from intestinal epithelium cells back into the gut. Therefore, inducers of intestinal P-glycoprotein, such as rifampicin and St. John's wort, could reduce the absorption of sofosbuvir.

may be mentioned elsewhere here but thought it worth reiterating,
jim

Yep jim I'd heard about St John's Wort before, and its contraindications with sof. Not sure about milk thistle - I've been taking it for years and am pretty sure my ALT levels have been a bit lower since. According to this interactions check it seems OK with Harvoni, but since I've only got about 1 week's supply left, may be well stop them now in preparation for treatment. Which will be soon, hopefully!


www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/harvoni-...67-16903-1633-0.html


Edit: Conflicting info, again Lucinda Porter...better to be safe than sorry

Attention for Liver Disease: The Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) study reported that silymarin was associated with reduced symptoms, but not reduced liver inflammation when used by hepatitis C patients. Milk thistle may lower liver function tests. Because it appears to interact with cytochrome p-450 metabolized substances, do not take milk thistle during HCV treatment.

Safety Information: If used as recommended, milk thistle is generally safe. Reported side effects are mild laxative, gastric complaints, itching and lowered blood sugar levels. Safety has not been established for children, pregnant or nursing mothers.

Interactions: May interact with any cytochrome p-450 metabolized substances. Silymarin has the potential to interact with many drugs, herbs and dietary supplements. A few are hormones, methadone, antibiotics, anti-seizure, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihistamines, organ transplant-rejection, cardiac, lipid-lowering drugs and sleeping pills.

www.lucindaporterrn.com/hepatitis-c-and-milk-thistle/

So I better not eat any more Aloe Vera...hmmm....some people recommend it specifically for Hep C.
At least I can keep drinking my Dandelion tea during treatment.
Big question is though what about "medical" marijuana with the tx? Is that contraindicated?
Seems like it would help with a lot of the reported sides.

i have heard shoul avoid Valerian, it's in a few 'promote sleep teas'.

re med Marijuana, didn't I read many US states offer HepC patients this as the norm?

Thanks Zhuk I will be printing this out and its back to regular milk for me for the time being anyway.

Really? I hadn't heard that. I wish Australia would get with the times on that front.

Ashwagandha is a good knock out herb for sleep issues. I wonder if thats a problem too. I hate insomnia!

There is also almond milk?

I know, medical marijuana in the form if something a bit like an ecig I believe!

can't expect a compromised liver to deal with actual smoking

I use amitriptyline for sleep, I have the Hep I app on my phone and its okay with the Sof Led combination. The other benefit is it is non addicting and its also used regularly by liver clinic to help with sleep disturbances.
It also works well to relieve tension headaches and body aches. I take 1 10mg tab if I have trouble sleeping. You do wake up feeling dry however so drink heaps of water.
Please ask your after care specialist or nurse to see if this may be an option for you.

it's not actual smoking, no nicotine - more an inhaler, but it's like an ecig in appearance. it's similar to an ecig in that it's long & narrow and you inhale, medical marijuana is being offered to patients of quite a few conditions in the US i've read.

Honestly taking these DAA's is for me a very rare foray into the world of prescription drugs. Generally speaking, me and pharma are not friends and not about to become so. On the good side I don't have serious health issues. The herbs have kept my liver function pretty good so I'm not expecting major sides. I'd much rather deal with it with herbs if possible.

I hear you FF, strongest thing I take on very rare occasions is a Paracetamol.
Still, we do what we have to do, I would prefer less precription drugs if possible,
but will keep an open mind as I am not on tx yet.

Meds are meds, just some are more toxic than others, herbs can also toxic,
One thing you can do, is just read up before swallowing anything and make an informed choice (my latest phrase he he)
that's my Philosophy anyway

I was only trying to be helpful