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Dasatinib & Liver Tests

Hi all,

I was switched to Nilotinib at the end of April and currently taking a low dose, 200mg twice a day, as the medication affected my liver. Although not too serious it is currently preventing me taking a stronger dose. The liver test results are slowly improving & six weeks ago it was 70 from previous 90. I believe the 'normal' range is 45 or below.

I am just wondering if anyone has experienced this problem and knows of a supplement I could take to help regulate my liver sooner? A friend mentioned that Milk Thistle can have a beneficial effect on the liver. I mentioned this at my last appt, but the Doc didn't know.

I was diagnosed Aug2007. Glivec didn't work for me, tried Dasatinib but suffered some side effects, so now on Nilotinib. I don't feel any different or ill effects which is the main thing but I am a tad frustrated I can't yet take a stronger dose to find out if Nilotinib can shift my PCR readings down towards the magic zero. My recent PCR tests have been hovering around 6 & 7 which since dnx is the lowest I have achieved. I am hopeful that a higher dose would improve my PCR's.

Thanks

CK

Hi CK, yes, there have been many of us over the years who have used this herb to support the liver. There does not seem to be any evidence that it cannot be anything but beneficial when combined with TKI therapy. I am sure there are people who have seen a good reduction in the liver enzyme level and have been able to continue therapy. I am not sure but I think that Milk Thistle is not needed over the long term

 

Best, Sandy

Thanks Sandy.

I am not sure what I was thinking with my post header. Not sure why I put Dasatinib, should have been Nilotinib!

Anyway, I would tend to agree that Milk Thistle would be short term, just to give the liver a helping hand as it were. I'll check with the Docs next week when I visit HH for my appt to make sure they are happy for me to try Milk Thistle.

Although I have just noticed Milk Thistle is listed on that Drug & Food Interactions Chart posted on the 9 August (section 7). Could be the Canadians/Americans being over cautious.

Also thank you for all your hard work behind this fantastic website. I have found it very useful & a great comfort at times since being diagnosed.

Kind regards

Hi all,

I was diagnosed back in July 2010. I'm on glivec 400mg per day and after settling in to a routine my liver enzyme ALT ran at a "slightly elevated" 55-60 for several months.

I started taking milk thistle recently and after around 2 weeks this has reduced to 38. It seems to have a positive effect which I'm pleased about!

Dear David,

thanks for this information. It is good to get feedback about whether the various strategies people use actually work. Seems like Milk Thistle does have a good effect on elevated ALT... although I am not sure if there is a need to take it over the long term. 

Best wishes,

Sandy