Liquorice

[Cally55]

In another thread it was mentioned that pred and liquorice don't mix. Is that any liquorice at all or lots? I have just discovered a delicious gluten free liquorice sweet that satisfies my sugar cravings for ages. I'm increasing my efforts to reduce carbs in the probably vain hope of staving off another nasty side effect. Is this just another GCA PMR sting in the tail!

[Hidden]

It can interact with lots of meds apparently ....

webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...

It depends if it's real licorice. I miss the occasional but if licorice root- liked chewing them when I gave up smoking years ago. And as a childhood treat.

[PMRnewbie2017]

Yes Poopadoop is quite correct. I've just looked at the WebMD site and it gives lots of interactions. I did learn something interesting though. There is a statement that liquorice is sometimes taken by mouth along with Panax ginseng and Bupleurum falcatum to improve the function of the adrenal glands in people who have taken steroids longterm!! The trouble is because the liquorice affects blood levels of so many meds, the benefit (if it exists) may not be worth it in the long run.

Regarding your sweets. I also read that in the USA anise oil is added to many confections purporting to contain liquorice because it has the characteristic smell and taste of black liquorice. So I suppose it's possible the sweets don't actually contain liquorice (glycyrrhizic acid).

[Cally55 in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Thanks to you and poopadoop, after much googling I found a part of the NHS website which says don't eat liquorice when taking prednisolone. So that's it then, no liquorice cuttings for me. This really is the most frustrating of illnesses!

[lesley2015 in reply to Cally55]

oh no, my favourite. We have a little shop that does the old fashioned hard liqourice sticks and the wheels with the jelly in the middly - my treat - not now apparently !

[Hidden in reply to lesley2015]

If you know who makes them you can probably check online if its actually real liquorice or aniseed flavouring. Aniseed appears to be ok.

[lesley2015 in reply to Hidden]

I may just do that! Thank you

[ignatz in reply to Cally55]