Licorice speeds the excretion of the drug. Anything that kills gut bacteria can reduce or prevent the effect of licorice on blood pressure. The relationship of the gut bacteria to the other properties of licorice is unknown. While pulmonary hypertension is a very rare disease, and there are no reports in humans, it is probably unwise to combine licorice with drugs known to contribute to pulmonary hypertension such as amphetamines and anorexant agents. 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.