Interaction between licorice and metformin

Digestive health
1

I would like to point out something I have discovered after someone suggested licorice as a health giving substance.

I was quick to point out that I could not tolerate this food, actually makes me feel strange and I thought it made my blood sugar rise but I was wrong it makes my blood sugar fall very rapidly, I did the experiment this afternoon. I fell from a blood sugar of 7 to 3 in two hours. This in diabetic terms is called a hypo and can be very dangerous. I have IBS and type 2 diabetes treated with metformin (6 tablets per day) after a little research on the internet I discovered there was a known reaction between licorice and metformin causing blood sugar to fall. If I just had IBS I would properly get away with it. The point of this is to suggest that anyone trying a seemingly inocent new herb or spice needs to check if there is any known reaction with there existing medication.

It is suggested that people with heart, liver, diabetes, or hormone-sensitive diseases should not take licorice.

You comments will be appreciated.

2

I had a luquorice tea tonight and actually helped my silent acid reflux thing!!! But I don't have blood sugar issues so note your caution x 

3

That was a huge drop. according to our (US) chart...and at 7 your quite high.."if" your reference is A1C...am working with a neighbor friend 70 year old Lovely Brit with dt2 A1C was at 5.4 considered border line, goal is 4.9, and currently after 6 weeks 5.2. Initial BS was 189 now 148..still a ways to go but she is married to an Italian and its so very difficult to control her appetite for pasta and breads. and very limited exercise but...there is some progress... I believe an established "normal" blood sugar would be around 80-90 mg/dl upon waking in the morning. Typical one hour postprandial (after meal) blood sugars for non-diabetics would be 100-120 mg/dl. She hasn't any other disorders dx at age 40 (a tad onery) not on metformin had too severe side effects.

Licorice...there are 2 types...Licorice and DGL...Licorice is contraindicated with Metformin but not DGL. If you've found some scientific evidence that supports contrindicatiion of DGL with metformin, please share...I note that the UK rate of countraindication is nearly 25% (probably the same here in the US) so there must be a a huge variety of stuff we put in our mouths that are not welcomed with Metformin..

Claudio

4

Liquorice is no go if your on any Blood pressure meds ,no matter how small amount .in case anyone's on them ,see yourself in heap of probs  also same goes at this time of year of colds and coughs ,blocked noses. Sudafed no go ,always buy things you want from chemist ,they check about meds your on .I didn't know about Sudafed ,and Benedryl another ,until a pharmacist told me .

5

marlene21102,

That really is most interesting and a bit of a shock, I am on two blood pressure tablets, indapamide 2.5mg and losartan potassium 100mg. I had no idea. Thank you for your input, I shall have something to say to my GP next time I have an appointment.

robert

6

Robert I'm on 50 ml Losartan ,that's how I know ,I went to get Sudafed ,pharmacist ask what if any meds I was on,when I said  he then said can't give you them ,and because of BP he told me about Benedryl ,told me to be careful of any meds I take as fair few out there increases BP .i sure wasent aware .I do drink quarter mug of Beetroot juice every other day ,that's good for BP ,also Celery .Beetroot juice Organic Asda cheapest place to buy .Go get some in don't need refrigerating till opened .Nice tasting .

7

marlene21102,

I had not got that far on researching licorice, you really have given me something to think about. I just new I felt strange after eating it. I thought it was high blood sugar because I cannot differentiate between the feeling of being to high or being low. When I used the glucose meter and found I was 3 mmol/L or 54.0 mg/dL I was very supprised. What I had eaten was real licorice that you buy at the health food shop not DGL licorice which I understand is a herbal supplement which has had glcyrrhizin removed. It all gets a bit technical for me.

In the UK we are told to keep our blood sugar between 5 and 7 mmol/L my GP says what ever you do keep it under 10. They all seem to get excited if it drops below 5 mmol/L the diabetic nurse starts assessing whether they need to take your driving licence away as too low is considered worse that too high. Thanks again for your input.

Best wishes

robert

8

donclaudio,

It is very nice to here from you, I know your diabetic reading are different than those used in the UK. I was told to keep my blood sugar between 5 and 7 mmol/L. I think that would be 90.0 to 126.0 mg/dL for you, naturally it goes up after a meal but my GP said keep it under 10.0 which is 180.0 mg/dL . Going to low is considered much more serious than being high because you can go unconcious. This happened to me three times at work and so I was asked to leave. Fair enough I new I was very sick and driving could have been a problem so I retired at 50.

I was talking about eating real licorice that we can buy from the health food shop not DGL licorice which I understand to be a herbal supplement which has had the cyrrhizin removed. I have never tried this bcause I have never heard of it before.

One of the first drugs you are prescribed in the UK for diabetes is metformin because it is said to reduce your insulin intolerence. I understand it can cause gastric disturbances, it gave me diarrhoea when I first took it. Perhaps it takes time for our bodies to get used to new drugs, I don't really know. I shall be avoiding real licorice in the future.

Thank you for your input.

robert

9

Hi Robert,

Nadine is a Brit and was in the UK age 40 when she was diagnosed with dbt2...prescribed Metformin but had bad reaction and took another med...I have it in her records if you want..

I've been unable to confirm (for myself) the contraindcation of the sudafed/lovasartan..but will try later. I personally don't like lovasartan/candasartan/metformin but I'm not up to speed with diabetes combined with hypertension (consulted with my younger brother for info) but he' chose to go to heaven before me...

DGL is usually for ulcer/gastritis/hpylori/cancer. Medications can muck us up big time and we end up not knowing what when or how.only guess and tinker, browse around forums for others who might have similar with what works and doesn't for themselves. Most dr's are clueless when it comes to IBS. But then neuro's are clueless about all MND, motor neuron diseases..150 years and yet a big fat 0. Upsetting to me when nearly 6,000 die of ALS here, and researchers continue targeting treatment vs cure...A few patients are far more knowledgeable, and helpful, you have one of them in Southhampton, and another Brit in Downunder... Claudio

10

Hi Robert I'm here in Dorset ,think your a Brit to on this Losartan trail ,since I got high BP just 2 years ago ,I wasent aware of the do's and dont's to other on the shelf not to just take ,Simply it's just to much of a risk to ignore it .Wishing you well.

11

Dear donclaudio,

you are very knowledgeable on medical matters, may I ask are you a GP by any chance. If you are medically trained in any way, it is a pleasure to communicate with you.

robert

12

Hi Robert,

I have no medical credentials...Have been a skilled troubleshooter in one of my two past lives...nearly all of my family on mom's side are in the medical field from RN's to PHD scientists....I have limited chats with most of them, only 1 now in the recent few years..an RN Section Head,   in Infection Control for a major TB Hospital..I did tutor her thru her masters about 15 years ago..a piece of cake,..even my 18 year old daughter (at the time) now 34... could have done the same 

For the past few years have been studying Neurology and participate in a few MND forums Claudio

 

13

Dear donclaudio,

It is clear that you have learn't a great deal more than me, I appreciate your input, I am just a retired refrigeration engineer living in north wales after moving up from the south with very bad health. I was 31 stone back in 2006. The medical people put me on loads of medicine including 6 metformin a day and with diet as well I am now down to 24 stone. Metrormin can be used to help lose weight I understand but it can be a bit rough on your gastro track, probably not so good if you have IBS like me actually diagnosed. All I ever do is state what affects me and how I respond to different substances, food and medicine. With no medical knowledge I never tell others what to do, I haven't even sorted out myself yet. I find this forum extemely useful and I have learn't a great deal from what other people write especially people like yourself. I never seem to get complete answers from doctors and nursers up here are not allowed to tell you anything. Ask any question and they politely say " o you need to speak to your doctor about that " I am only asking a simple question, they are not being cross examined in a court of law. You can now see I love to here from people like yourself, I just want to understand a bit more. Some could say " why not google it on the internet " the trouble is you need a fairly good knowledge of medical stuff before you can really understand what they are talking about. Just google " how does metformin work " and you will see what I mean.

It is great to be able to communicate with people like you donclaudio you are my light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

robert

14

Robert,

youve not been dealt a good hand. what you

say about medical terminalology is exactly my

words too when I first entered this field of study

Youv'e a good head..and in my opinion you can

sort out some or even most of your problems..

the most an md can do for you is to order tests

that you determine necessary. my next door

neighbor is a retired cop, in his 60's with dbt2

high bp, spinal stenosis, over weight, little or no exercise, and suspect poor diet for his overall

health..I very much like this guy, not brilliant

but like you a very good head..but he doesn't

use it for himself..his lifestyle will keep him in l

less than good health...for him it seems to me

its acceptable..but I see you differently..you have desire and motivation to live a better life.

The best formula to get started is to create a

flexible plan. I found an excellent wiring

diagram..maybe will be of value to you in your

pursuit..his name is steven shackel. MENSA

qualified. diagnosed in 94 with ALS given a

short survival rope..he unlike steven hawking

has no mechanical assistance devices..lives down under with his wife. He's written a templet that worked for himself and has chosen to

share it.

please take the time to read it all..take a

week if you want.

15

using a 7 inch tablet..tough writing...search steven shackel, ALS my story. Every once in a while

I'll go to his story to refresh or reboot my thinking

process. once youv'e read some or all give me a

heads up whats what with your thoughts..if you want can also pm me..claudio...btw my spelling

can be kindergarden at times..my excuse is

languages switching ..typing in English while

thinking in another..bad habit...best regards

claudio