Is DGL licorice and prednisone contraindicated?

[perceptual63]

I have gastritis that was diagnosed well before being put on prednisone but now nearly 2 years on prednisone my gastritis is a bit more symptomatic and was looking into taking DGL licorice to heal my gut as an alternative to PPI's and H2 blockers, but Google is saying I shouldn't mix prednisone and DGL. As a side note, I always take my split-dose prednisone on a full stomach.

In the past I was on a PPI for 1 ½ years for Barrett's Esophagus but it seemed to make my reflux worse. Also for me, H2 blockers are contraindicated due to me taking a particular head med, thus the reasoning for me looking at trying DGL licorice as an alternative.

Anyone try DGL licorice for their stomach inflammation while on prednisone?

Sincere thanks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

See this - from the FAQs -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[perceptual63 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for the links, DorsetLady.

It seems that licorice root also affects how other medications are metabolized in the liver and not just prednisone.

And I just bought 6 bottles of DGL licorice. 😩

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to perceptual63]

Ohh dear… 🙈

[piglette]

Because of the warnings about liquorice and steroids I have cut back, although I will occasionally have something containing liquorice if offered, as I do love it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

In some ways it could be said that licorice is a steroid sparer - it will increase the effects of a given dose, But with a selection of medications involved I think you need to discuss it with a pharmacist. before taking it.

Some people use slippery elm successfully.

[perceptual63 in reply to PMRpro]

I recently bought a book on gastritis and they suggested DGL licorice, slippery elm, L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, aloe vera, as well as probiotics.

I thought about slippery elm before DGL licorice but am a little wary of herbs I don't know much about and am concerned about herbs adversely affecting my liver as it had in the past which had caused my liver enzymes to be elevated and resulted in jaundice. This was just from taking a multivitamin that contained herbal supplements.

Do you know much about slippery elm and whether you came across any adverse events?

Thanks. 🙂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to perceptual63]

There was a post about it - why not put up a post with the word in the title and see what comes up? Licorice is a herb,

[perceptual63 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, PMRpro.

Didn't know licorice was an herb. 😳

I guess licorice wasn't meant to be on so many fronts. And I'm googling slippery elm and that seems sketchy too.

I think I now should be looking into an a low FODMAP/anti-inflammatory diet.

Lately, I'm finding that full-fat cheese seems to be irritating my stomach, and forget fried-foods.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to perceptual63]

Maybe tangocharlie has some insights on diet and its effects.

[sidra1968 in reply to perceptual63]

I have chronic gastritis diagnosed through colonoscopy (35 years of LOTS of ibuprofen did this probably and even most likely caused the 4 cm (considered huge) gastric diverticulum I have in my stomach (very rare, again my guess is both are from the large amount of NSAIDS over the years for severe endometriosis) and I have been on a high dose of Pred for 8 months now..so I take the slippery elm power made as a tea, the L-glutamine, and Lactoferrin powder (also can be taken in a capsule). All bought on iHerb. I also make sure to take my split dose of Pred with food. I actually was on these supplements before the Pred to ward off another diverticulitis attack and hospital ER visit and massive antibiotics (had that on the lower left intestine like most people have, but then had "bearable" pain on the right lower for 6 more months but it never got infected and literally one day just disappeared) I have been ok since, thank goodness..here's to me not jinxing it with this post. Hope this helps. Now, do I KNOW this has helped? I guess not, but I am not going to stop what could even possibly be working

[Karenjaninaz]

How about Carafate? That coats the stomach and has been used for treating ulcers. Have you been checked for H. Pylori recently.?

Marshmallow and slippery elm capsules is what I took in 20yrs ago when nothing else worked. However, they are not tested for heavy metals and other impurities.

[perceptual63 in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Thanks for the suggestion of Carafate. It seems that this med might actually be better suited for me. Well, here's hoping it will and won't know unless I try. 🙏

Yes, I was negative for H. Pylori and just diagnosed with gastritis with a recommendation of eating a low-fat diet.

I've seen people take Carafate in other support groups but didn't think much of delving into what kind of medication it actually was as at the time I wasn't experiencing any digestive symptoms up until recently.

I have an appt. with my GI doc at the end of January and will definitely ask about taking Carafate.

Thanks again. 🙂

[Suffererc]

what is DGL please. Happy New Year 🥳

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suffererc]

healthline.com/health/diges...