A Case of Licorice-Induced Hypokalemic Rhabdomyolysis in a Patient Using a Diuretic Drug / 대한내과학회지
Korean Journal of Medicine
;
: S258-S262, 2011.
Article
in Korean
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-152517
ABSTRACT
Glycyrrhizic acid is a component of licorice. It can cause hypokalemia through the inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The severity of symptoms depends on the dose and duration of licorice intake, as well as the individual susceptibility. The safe dose of licorice is 10 mg per day. Even a small amount of licorice can cause side effects, including hypokalemia in patients taking diuretics, with diarrhea, or congestive heart failure. We experienced a 59-year-old male with muscle weakness. He had ingested losartan and indapamide due to hypertension. At presentation, he had ingested 8 mg of licorice daily for the previous 17 days. The patient presented with severe hypokalemia (1.8 mEq/L) and rhabdomyolysis. His renin activity was 0.44 ng/mL/h, and his aldosterone level was 6.0 pg/mL. After cessation of licorice and indapamide, his potassium level recovered. In conclusion, even a small amount of licorice can induce hypokalemia in patients who are taking diuretics.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Potassium
/
Rhabdomyolysis
/
Renin
/
Muscle Weakness
/
Glycyrrhizic Acid
/
Losartan
/
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
/
Diarrhea
/
Diuretics
/
Aldosterone
Limits:
Humans
/
Male
Language:
Korean
Journal:
Korean Journal of Medicine
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
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