Severe hypokalaemia with paralysis induced by small doses of liquorice.
A patient, who presented with a flaccid quadriplegia due to profound hypokalaemia, is described. Hypokalaemia and myoglobinuria were caused by the ingestion of small amounts of liquorice contained in a laxative preparation. Subsequent controlled administration of small amounts of this preparation induced marked hypokalaemia. This was associated with sodium retention and potassium loss confirming a mineralocorticoid-like action. The sodium retention was associated with suppression of plasma levels of renin and aldosterone.
D000368:Aged; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006035:Glycyrrhiza; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009212:Myoglobinuria / Q000209:etiology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
D002400:Cathartics; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium