Licorice (Herb/Suppl)

Adrenocortical insufficiency

Arthritis, bronchitis, dry cough, peptic ulcers, gastritis, infections (bacterial/viral), prostate cancer, sore throat, systemic lupus erythematosus, upper resp. inflammation

Frequency Not Defined

Amenorrhea

CHF

Decreased libido

Edema

Erectile dysfunction

Headache

Hypertension

Hypertensive encephalopathy

Hypokalemia

Hypokalemic myopathy

Lethargy

Lower extremity weakness

Mineralocorticoid effects

Myoglobinuria

Pulmonary edema

Quadriplegia

Rhabdomyolysis

Sodium

Fluid retention

Contraindications

Breast cancer, cholestatic liver disorders, cirrhosis, CHF, diabetes mellitus, endometriosis, hormone sensitive conditions, hypertonia, hypersensitivity to licorice, hypertension, hypokalemia, ovarian cancer, renal insufficiency (severe), uterine cancer, uterine fibroids

Cautions

Concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates or potassium-depleting agents

Impaired liver function

FDA consumer alert: Consuming >2 ounces/day for at least 2 weeks may cause hypokalemia and result in arrhythmia; adults aged 40 or older are at a higher risk (October 2011)

Pregnancy Category: unsafe

Lactation: avoid use

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Anti-inflammatory, expectorant; blocks PGE2 & PGF2-alpha metab.

DGL less effective for upper resp. symptoms