Licorice has many health benefits, such as nourishing the body, detoxifying, protecting the liver, and boosting immunity. However, caution is needed when using licorice, as long-term use can cause side effects such as high blood pressure and low potassium levels. Additionally, consuming licorice alongside medications may affect the patient’s health.
1. Interaction between licorice and Warfarin
Warfarin is an anticoagulant prescribed for the treatment of thrombosis and the prevention of blood clot formation in the body. Thrombosis is a serious condition. It can block blood vessels, causing myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, etc. As a result, it poses a severe threat to the patient’s life.
Warfarin is broken down by the body for elimination. When taken together with licorice, the breakdown of Warfarin occurs faster, reducing the drug’s therapeutic effect. Consequently, it increases the risk of blood clot formation in patients. Therefore, both physicians and patients must exercise particular caution when combining these two substances. It is necessary to regularly take coagulation tests and adjust the Warfarin dosage if needed.
2. Interaction between licorice and Digoxin
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside extracted from the leaves of Digitalis lanata. Taking Digoxin helps increase the force of myocardial contraction and improve cardiac output. Digoxin is prescribed for heart failure and supraventricular tachycardia (such as atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and supraventricular tachycardia).
Licorice may interact with Digoxin and cause adverse health effects for patients. Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which may raise blood pressure, cause salt and water retention, and affect Digoxin’s therapeutic efficacy. On the other hand, frequent licorice consumption may lead to magnesium and potassium depletion, increasing the risk of Digoxin-related side effects.
In general, patients with hypertension, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, kidney disease, etc., should avoid or minimize licorice consumption. Always check food and medication labels to ensure the products being used do not contain licorice or glycyrrhizic acid.
Inform your doctor immediately if any symptoms of Digoxin toxicity appear after taking licorice and Digoxin together, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, visual disturbances, irregular heartbeat, etc.
3. Interaction between licorice and Estrogen
Studies show that licorice may affect estrogen levels in the body. Using licorice together with estrogen medications may reduce the effectiveness of estrogen therapy. Therefore, licorice consumption should be limited when taking estrogen-based medications such as ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, etc.
4. Interaction between licorice and Ethacrynic Acid
Licorice may increase potassium excretion from the body. Ethacrynic acid also promotes potassium excretion. Taking both together will heighten the risk of reduced potassium levels in the body.
Hypokalemia may cause complications such as bradycardia, decreased myocardial contractility, torsades de pointes, and arrhythmias. If not treated promptly, it may lead to cardiac arrest.
4. Interaction between licorice and Ethacrynic Acid
Licorice may increase potassium excretion from the body. Ethacrynic acid also promotes potassium excretion. Taking both together will heighten the risk of reduced potassium levels in the body.
Hypokalemia may cause complications such as bradycardia, decreased myocardial contractility, torsades de pointes, and arrhythmias. If not treated promptly, it may lead to cardiac arrest.
5. Interaction between licorice and Furosemide
Similar to its interaction with Ethacrynic Acid, consuming licorice with Furosemide increases the risk of hypokalemia, seriously endangering the patient’s health.
6. Interaction with drugs metabolism in the liver
Licorice may slow the metabolism of certain drugs metabolism in the liver. Taking licorice during treatment with these medications may enhance their pharmacological effects and increase the risk of side effects. Consequently, this may lead to unpredictable health consequences. Therefore, if licorice is used regularly, patients should consult their doctor or pharmacist to check whether their medications are metabolized by the liver.
Some liver-metabolized drugs requiring caution when used with licorice include:
- Ketamine, Phenobarbital, Orphenadrine, Secobarbital, Dexamethasone
- Celecoxib, Diclofenac, Fluvastatin, Glipizide, Ibuprofen, Irbesartan, Losartan, Phenytoin, Piroxicam, Tamoxifen, Tolbutamide, Torsemide, Warfarin
- Lovastatin, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Fexofenadine, Triazolam
7. Interaction between licorice and anti-hypertensive drugs
Consuming large amounts of licorice may increase blood pressure. As a result, it reduces the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive medications. Some anti-hypertensive drugs that may be affected by licorice include captopril, enalapril, losartan, valsartan, diltiazem, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and furosemide.
8. Interaction between licorice and corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medications
Licorice consumption may increase the risk of hypertension, sodium and water retention, and hypokalemia. Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs also have similar side effects. Therefore, when licorice is taken together with corticosteroids, the likelihood of experiencing these side effects increases significantly.
Some commonly used corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs include Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, and Prednisone.
Patients undergoing long-term corticosteroid treatment should avoid or minimize the use of licorice-containing products. Even moderate doses of licorice may cause issues if used over a long period.
Licorice is a medicinal herb that provides many health benefits. However, in some cases, it may interact with medications and cause severe health complications. Therefore, when taking any medication, patients should inform their doctor and strictly follow medical instructions.
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References: webmd.com, drugs.com
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