Severe hypokalaemic paralysis and rhabdomyolysis due to ingestion of liquorice.

Low-dose liquorice ingestion resulting in severe hypokalaemic paraparesis, rhabdomyolysis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

In daily practice hypokalaemia is frequently observed. It can be accompanied by various adverse events and can even be life threatening. Frequent causes are intestinal and urinary loss, i.e. diarrhoea or use of diuretics. Glycyrrhizin-containing substances, such as liquorice, are a well-known but rare cause of hypokalaemia. They can induce an apparent mineralocorticoid excess-like syndrome, oft...

Liquorice-Induced Severe Hypokalaemic Rhabdomyolysis with Acute Kidney Injury.

Lower limb monoparesis due to liquorice consumption

Since more than six decades ago, liquorice extracts have been used as treatment of gastroduodenal ulcers or Addison’s disease, as adjuvant sweetener in medical mixtures and even as a sweet for children. However, the first case reports on severe side effects of liquorice consumption were observed in the Netherlands back in the 1940s [1]. Hypokalaemic respiratory muscle paralysis due to liquorice...

A hypertensive emergency with acute visual impairment due to excessive liquorice consumption.

Hypokalaemic hypertension is the classical presentation of primary hyperaldosteronism but may also result from other mineralocorticoid activity, such as liquorice ingestion. Onset of hypertension as well as serum renin and aldosterone levels are central for the diagnosis. Liquorice ingestion has been reported to induce hypertension, hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis due to inhibition of the ...

Anorexia nervosa, liquorice and hypokalaemic myopathy.

A patient with a past history of anorexia nervosa developed a hypokalaemic myopathy following a 'flu-like illness. Although she was apparently in remission from anorexia nervosa, the diet was found to be markedly abnormal with an excessive ingestion of liquorice and a low potassium salt intake. The clinical features and investigations, including muscle biopsy, are described. The patient is comp...