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KMID : 0363620110320050134
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Journal of Korean Oriental Medicine
2011 Volume.32 No. 5 p.134 ~ p.138
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A Case of Self-prescribed Licorice-induced Hypokalemic Paralysis
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Kwon Seung-Won
Jung Hwan-Yong
Yoon Seung-kyou
Seo Yu-Ri
Park Joon-Young
Im Jin-Wook
Jung Woo-Sang
Moon Sang-Kwan
Cho Ki-Ho
Kim Young-Suk
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Abstract
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Glycyrrhetinic acid, which is a component of licorice, can cause hypermineralocorticoidism through the inhibition of -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. So, a high dose intake of licorice can lead to hypermineralocorticoidism with potassium loss and depression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. We report a 73-year-old man with muscle weakness of proximal lower limbs with hypokalemia (Serum : 1.4 mEq/L) due to taking self-prescribed licorice without OMD’s diagnosis. He boiled 60~100g licorice / day in water and drank it intermittently for 1 month due to arthralgia and swelling of both his knees. Patient’s serum renin activity and aldosterone level were far beyond the normal range. He also had metabolic alkalosis with pH 7.552. After quitting the licorice, hypokalemia and muscle weakness of proximal lower limbs gradually improved within 1week.
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KEYWORD
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Licorice, hypokalemic paralysis, glycyrrhetinic acid, self-prescription
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