Abstract
Four cases of pseudohyperaldosteronism due to chronic ingestion of liquorice-containing laxatives are described. All patients had hypertension and hypokalemia with suppression of plasma renin activity and aldosterone; the diagnosis was based only on retrospective grounds. In patients with hypokalemia and hypertension a possibility of such a cause must be excluded to avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures.
MeSH terms
- Adult
- Aged
- Aldosterone / blood
- Cathartics / adverse effects*
- Drug Combinations
- Female
- Glycyrrhiza*
- Humans
- Hyperaldosteronism / blood
- Hyperaldosteronism / chemically induced*
- Hyperaldosteronism / drug therapy
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Plant Extracts / adverse effects
- Plant Oils / adverse effects
- Plants, Medicinal*
- Potassium / blood
- Renin / blood
- Senna Extract / adverse effects
- Spironolactone / therapeutic use
Substances
- Cathartics
- Drug Combinations
- Midro
- Plant Extracts
- Plant Oils
- liquorice decocta
- Spironolactone
- Aldosterone
- Senna Extract
- Renin
- Potassium