Licorice also may decrease the potassium sparing effects of the drug. Licorice contains chemicals called phytoestrogens. These substances bind to many of the same estrogen receptor sites that prescription estrogen products such as Premarin and Estrace do. Therefore, the effects of prescription estrogens may be increased. Under no circumstances should persons taking Florinef decide to add licorice to their treatment regimen and not inform their physician of the fact.
Hypertensive headaches are often worse when lying down instead of better.
Monoamine Oxidase is the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. It is also key in certain biochemical feedback loops that regulate the effects of stimulating chemicals and amino acids on blood pressure and heart rate. Compounds that prevent the action of MAO are called MAO Inhibitors or MAOI's. When something interferes with the action of MAO, certain compounds that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system have much stronger effects on the body. This reaction can cause strokes and many fatalities are on record from adverse MAOI interactions.