Drug interactions
Digoxin + Licorice
Severity: Moderate
Digoxin and Licorice: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Chronic licorice intake causes potassium loss and sodium retention. The resulting hypokalemia sensitizes the heart to digoxin and increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and arrhythmias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Digoxin and Licorice can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Glycyrrhizin causes mineralocorticoid-like effects and hypokalemia, increasing myocardial sensitivity to digoxin.
What to do
Avoid regular licorice consumption or supplements during digoxin therapy. Monitor serum potassium and digoxin levels if exposure continues.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Digoxin
- Digoxin + Lily of the valley Contraindicated
- Digoxin + Squill Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Digoxin Major
- Amiodarone + Digoxin Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Digoxin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Digoxin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Digoxin with Licorice?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Digoxin and Licorice can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Chronic licorice intake causes potassium loss and sodium retention. The resulting hypokalemia sensitizes the heart to digoxin and increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and arrhythmias.
How serious is the interaction between Digoxin and Licorice?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid regular licorice consumption or supplements during digoxin therapy. Monitor serum potassium and digoxin levels if exposure continues.
What other medicines interact with Digoxin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Digoxin with, for example, Lily of the valley, Squill, Adagrasib. The full list is on the Digoxin page.
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