How Black licorice with blood-pressure, diuretic, and heart medications Affects Your Medications
Limit black licorice (candy, teas, and supplements made with real licorice) if you take these medicines, and tell your provider about large or regular intake. The FDA warns against eating large amounts, especially if you are over 40.
This interaction is generally considered moderate in severity.
How It Happens
Glycyrrhizin in real black licorice can lower potassium and raise blood pressure. Low potassium is risky with diuretics and can make digoxin more toxic, and the blood-pressure rise can work against medicines that treat hypertension.
What to Do
Limit black licorice (candy, teas, and supplements made with real licorice) if you take these medicines, and tell your provider about large or regular intake. The FDA warns against eating large amounts, especially if you are over 40.
Medication Classes Affected
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
Sources & References
Learn more about where our data comes from and how we write and review medical content.