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A Case of Self-prescribed Licorice-induced Hypokalemic Paralysis  

Kwon, Seung-Won (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Jeong, Hwan-Yong (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Yoon, Seung-Kyou (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Seo, Yu-Ri (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Park, Joon-Young (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Im, Jin-Wook (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Jung, Woo-Sang (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Moon, Sang-Kwan (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Cho, Ki-Ho (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Kim, Young-Suk (Dept. of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases(Stroke Center) College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Publication Information
The Journal of Korean Medicine / v.32, no.5, 2011 , pp. 134-138 More about this Journal
Abstract
Glycyrrhetinic acid, which is a component of licorice, can cause hypermineralocorticoidism through the inhibition of $11{\beta}$-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 $K^+$: 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.
Keywords
Licorice; hypokalemic paralysis; glycyrrhetinic acid; self-prescription;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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