Jean -

Several people in this group were told by their doctors to avoid it
during treatment.  It has the possibility of interacting with a number
of different medications that people on tx are often on.  

Other people have argued that since the combo therapy drug company rep
didn't say not to use it during tx, it was OK, and that no studies had
shown it was an issue.  For me, personally, the possible benefits do not
come close to outweighing the risks.

Here's a link to some information on the possible risks with milk
thistle and other drugs:

http://www.thebody.com/catie/milk_thistle.html

Gordo

As Gordo said, stay away during treatment. There is no known benefit,
and a number of possible problems. When you're not on treatment, though,
and you don't take any other drugs it could interfere with, there's no
reason not to take it. There is no proof that it really helps with HCV
(the studies done were on different forms of Hepatitis), but there is no
indication that it could hurt in any way, either. And since it does help
the liver to eliminate a number of toxins, it may very well be
beneficial. There's some anecdotal evidence - LFTs going down for people
who took it (not for all, though), and no side effects (except the drug
interactions), so most doctors consider it safe. Just not during tx.

Thomas