Digox Tablets and Licorice

In the database of official manuals used in the service creation an interaction registered by statistical results of studies was found, which can either lead to negative consequences for the patient health or strengthen a mutual positive effect. A doctor should be consulted to address the issue of joint drug administration.

Talk to your doctor before using licorice together with digoxin. Products containing licorice (glycyrrhizic acid) can cause high blood pressure as well as salt and water retention, which may interfere with the beneficial effects of digoxin. Regular use of licorice may also cause loss of magnesium and potassium, increasing the risk that you may experience toxic effects of digoxin. Generally, you should avoid or limit the consumption of licorice if you have high blood pressure, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the vessels of the lung), or kidney disease. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure those products do not contain licorice or glycyrrhizic acid, which may be found in licorice-flavored chewing gum or candy, chewing tobacco, certain ethnic foods and beverages, and some herbal diuretics or laxatives. Contact your doctor if you experience potential toxic effects of digoxin such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, visual disturbances (blurred vision; light halos around objects; green or yellow vision), or an abnormally fast or slow or uneven heartbeat. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

GENERALLY AVOID: Chronic use of licorice may potentiate the risk of digitalis toxicity and other cardiovascular complications in patients treated with cardiac glycosides. Glycyrrhizic acid, a component of licorice, can induce hypokalemia, hypernatremia, edema, hypertension, and suppression of the renin-aldosterone system by virtue of its mineralocorticoid activity. In digitalized patients, electrolyte imbalance such as hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia can lead to arrhythmias, while other chronic effects of glycyrrhizic acid can compromise overall cardiovascular condition. In one case report, an 84-year-old man developed congestive heart failure secondary to digitalis toxicity shortly after he began using a Chinese herbal laxative containing licorice 400 mg and rhubarb 1600 mg three times a day. The patient had mitral regurgitation with atrial fibrillation and had been treated with digoxin and furosemide. He recovered 18 days after stopping both digoxin and the herbal laxative.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should consult a healthcare provider before taking any herbal or alternative medicine. In general, chronic use of licorice and licorice-containing products should be avoided in patients treated with cardiac glycosides.

Digox Tablets

Generic Name: digoxin

Brand name: Digitek, Digox, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps, Cardoxin

Synonyms: Digox (Oral)

What is Digox Tablets?

Licorice

Generic Name: licorice

Brand name:

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Licorice?