Licorice root should be avoided with which type of medications?

Licorice root should be avoided with which type of medications?

• A. Heart medications
• B. Antibiotics
• C. Pain relievers
• D. Vitamins

Answer: (A)

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which acts like a mineralocorticoid and causes sodium and water retention while promoting potassium loss. This can raise blood pressure and create electrolyte disturbances that disrupt heart function. With heart medications, especially diuretics and drugs like digoxin, the potassium-wasting effect increases the risk of dangerous arrhythmias and digoxin toxicity, so licorice should be avoided. The interaction is much less relevant with antibiotics, pain relievers, or vitamins.

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which acts like a mineralocorticoid and causes sodium and water retention while promoting potassium loss. This can raise blood pressure and create electrolyte disturbances that disrupt heart function. With heart medications, especially diuretics and drugs like digoxin, the potassium-wasting effect increases the risk of dangerous arrhythmias and digoxin toxicity, so licorice should be avoided. The interaction is much less relevant with antibiotics, pain relievers, or vitamins.