Abstract
Prolonged ingestion of licorice can cause hypermineralocorticoidism, with sodium retention, potassium loss and hypertension. Nevertheless, its initial presentation with a very severe degree of hypokalemic paralysis and rhabdomyolysis are exceedingly rare. We describe a patient who experienced hypokalemic paralysis and rhabdomyolysis after licorice ingestion. The patient's initial blood pressure was 160/80mmHg. The major biochemical abnormalities included; hypokalemia(K+ 1.3mEq/L), metabolic alkalosis, with a pH of 7.64, and urine myoglobin > 3000ng/mL. The plasma rennin activity and aldosterone level were suppressed. The 24 hour urine cortisol concentration was normal. The patients, over a 1 month period, had ingested 500g of licorice boiled in water. After quitting the licorice, the hypokalemia and muscle paralysis gradually improved and blood pressure returned to normal
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- A case of chronic licorice intoxication-induced apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome
Young Jae Lim, Ji Eun Kim
Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology.2023; 21(2): 151. CrossRef - Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis Developed in a Patient with Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus
Jihyeon Hwang, Joo Hye Sung, Ye Eun Kim, Keonyeup Kim, Seong-Hwan Kim, Young Bin Park, Seol-Hee Baek
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association.2021; 39(3): 177. CrossRef - Electrical storm induced by hypokalemia associated with herbal medicines containing licorice
Hyun Kuk Kim, Sung Soo Kim
Translational and Clinical Pharmacology.2019; 27(2): 69. CrossRef - Influence of Herbal Complexes Containing Licorice on Potassium Levels: A Retrospective Study
WooSang Jung, SeungWon Kwon, JinWook Im, SeongUk Park, SangKwan Moon, JungMi Park, ChangNam Ko, KiHo Cho
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2014; 2014: 1. CrossRef