special subjects
Licorice
Drug Interactions
Licorice may Interact withwarfarinand decrease its effectiveness, increasing the risk of blood clotting Interact withdigoxinby affecting potassium levels Decrease effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs due to an increase in salt and water retention Decrease effects ofpaclitaxelandcisplatin Increase adverse effects of corticosteroids Increase or decrease effects of estrogens Also, some experts believe that licorice has some activity similar to a type of antidepressant called monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors and thus may intensify adverse effects of these drugs. (See table.) 