Why Licorice and Stevens Johnson Syndrome Mix Poorly
By John Curran
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) side effects can be frightening for the patient and loved ones. It can develop from initial symptoms into severe inflammation in just a day. Unfortunately, the disorder has been linked to a number of drugs. For two of them, people already dealing with congestive heart failure should look at licorice in a new light.
Scientists have known for years that there are chemicals in certain foods that interact with medications. One of the more well-known links is that grapefruit increases the blood serum level of many drugs. However, in the case of Aldactone side effects, licorice provides the opposite effect. It decreases the efficacy of the drug, as well as the similar drug Altace. This is dangerous because while SJS side effects can occur at any time, they are most common when someone has to change doses or starts a new medication.
If diuretics are prescribed and don’t work as well because of the consumption of licorice, the cardiologist may try to increase the dosage. The alternative is the potential for organ failure and related problems like stroke. In that respect the simple candy could provoke severe Aldactone side effects, or those of similar diuretics like Altace. They are not alone, however, in drugs that can contribute to SJS or toxic epidermal necrolysis side effects and interact with food.
Ginseng is an herb that is often linked to memory or focus, although the data is not necessarily more than anecdotal. However, many people take it in the form of supplements. They may also be taking seizure medications like Depakote, Dilantin and Lamictal. Dilantin and Lamictal both carry black box warnings for toxic epidermal necrolysis, a variant of Stevens Johnson Syndrome where entire sections of the skin slough off. Considering that anti-epileptic drugs do not work in all patients, the likelihood of dosage changes increases the likelihood of these deadly diseases.
For those who have dealt with Stevens Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, it may take years to fully recover. Medical bills and lost wages can skyrocket. Legal remedies are available, and some jury awards have even reached tens of millions of dollars. See whether or not pursuing a claim makes sense by getting a free consultation at the Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Make the right choice for you and your family and see what options are available via a Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit.
Updated February 21st 2013
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One thought on Why Licorice and Stevens Johnson Syndrome Mix Poorly
I had been in emergency rooms several times over a few years for what was diagnosed to be anxiety attacks and high heart rates. One incident occurred after a ate a large amount of licorice in one day. Immediately after eating it, I began to have a high heart rate and shortness of beath. My heart rate rose to 230 bpm. I went to the emergency room where I was diagnosed with afib and admitted for observation and cardiac evaluation. Eventually, I was placed on a blood thinner and cardizan to slow the heart rate. While under this treatment I required a bladder biopsy which necessitated temporary removal of my blood thinner. While recovering from this biopsy operation, I began to bleed out and was rushed to the hospital for several days. Eventually, my cardiologist inserted a watchman, performed cardiac ablation. These events suggested that, while my anxiety attacks predisposed me for an elevated heart rate, the licorice ingestion was the primary cause of my diagnosis of heart afibrilation. It also is responsible for further complication which likely would not have occurred had I not required blood thinners. The costs of these medical diagnoses and treatments are astronomical.