Licorice does it effect INR?

[MackinLake]

Hi there,I was diagnosed around 2 years ago after a PE. The staff at the INR clinic are great, but I have seen no Dr about symptoms. I had a lot of licorice a couple of days ago and now my calf's are very painful .Is this a thing because I was told only to avoid dulse,liver and green tea. My GP will not discuss my APLS so I wonder if licorice is to avoided also? I have learned so much from this group so I want to say thank you very much .

[HollyHeski Administrator]

Hi, I am not on warfarin so can't advise but I have been told previously to avoid black liquorice if on any anticoagerants.I have found this from NIH " black licorice blunts the effects of the blood thinner warfarin, and it interferes with certain blood pressure drugs, steroid drugs and diuretics."

Keep an eye on your calfs and if they get worse please get a docter to check them out.

[MackinLake in reply to HollyHeski]

Ty very much ,will keep a eye on them and no more licorice

[jamesroybuck in reply to MackinLake]

I found that Licorice did interact with my Warfarin and lowered my INR. I have APS and have been on Warfarin for 25 years and have found that all kinds of drugs ; foods ; vitamins ; herbs and supplements lower or increase my INR. Over the years I have built up a file of substances that affect my INR and a lot of the items seem to be peculiar to me ; as the medical journals contradict some of my findings.

If you are going to be on Warfarin for long term . then I would recommend that you invest in an INR test meter and compile your own list over a period of time. I found ; to my cost ; that NHS three monthly test is far too long between tests for some people.

[Sher78]

Quite a lot of things interact with warfarin (Grapefruit juice, Cranberries, Green leafy veg are just a few). It's also to do with the consistency you have them, for example, if you eat a little bit of Liquorice a few times a week, that would not necessarily have the same effect as you not eating liquorice and then suddenly having a big amount. I do still have grapefruit but little and often and it has no bearing on my INR, but I don't tend to eat spinach (for example), so when I DO have it, it affects my INR. Funnily enough I have never had an issue with liver or green tea either. We are all different and react in different ways to our medication, it's a big learning curve and you have to find what works specifically for you. The tightness in the calves though, I would really keep an eye on that, especially if it gets warm to the touch. When is your next INR test due?

[MackinLake]

Ty very much for replying. My next test is in a week which is at clinic. My calf's are painful to touch but not hot. I did rather have a lot of licorice not thinking anything at the time but I am going to be way more careful going forward.

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, it would appear that liquorice is a problem, please if you legs are causing your a problem ring 111 and also or take yourself for a check up at GP or A&E, also your GP needs to refer you to a consultant, we can help if you give us your location. MaryF

[MackinLake]

Ty, pain not so bad today.I have a specialist who gets my iNR results,who I have never seen or talked to, but the specialist change all the time.Its the person who registers you at the hospital for INR clinic who tells me who it is this time.I did get a call this summer from hematologist,but they said it was a survey and will call me back in a couple of years.I live in NB Canada and I have learned more on this site then from any Dr. so TY

[Bloodredroses]

Absolutely avoid. When googling what to avoid with Rivaroxaban blood thinner, Licorace ( Ingrediants and why) grapefruit , alcohol, thins blood , too much ginger tea fresh etc caused me a nose bleed . Turmeric Spinach ( VIT K , liver , thickens blood nodes good . ) just google the question , ‘ ‘ what is contraindicated with ……………. ? ‘ fill in your medication .

Must educated yourself .