The short answer
A glycyrrhizin-containing licorice root product can add to potassium concerns with chlorthalidone. Confirm the species and preparation before applying this warning to a product labeled Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae.
What this answer covers
Generic licorice root/rhizome entry. Confirm Glycyrrhiza species and glycyrrhizin content; EMA guidance covers roots of G. glabra, G. inflata and G. uralensis.
- Supplement or preparation
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae
- Medication ingredient
- chlorthalidone
Why licorice is different from a simple water pill
Glycyrrhizin-related effects can cause potassium loss while retaining sodium and water and raising blood pressure. Chlorthalidone can also lower potassium. The European assessment therefore advises against combining covered licorice preparations with diuretics.
Human evidence supports a real physiological effect
In a randomized crossover study of 28 healthy adults, licorice containing 100 mg daily glycyrrhizic acid raised home systolic pressure and suppressed renin and aldosterone. This was not a chlorthalidone study, and the abstract does not establish potassium loss in that trial.
Check the botanical and glycyrrhizin content
Generic licorice root/rhizome entry. Confirm Glycyrrhiza species and glycyrrhizin content; EMA guidance covers roots of G. glabra, G. inflata and G. uralensis. A blend, an unspecified root/rhizome material and a product with glycyrrhizin removed cannot automatically be assigned identical exposure or risk.
Review use rather than spacing doses
Show the full product label to the treating team before use. No reviewed evidence establishes that taking licorice a few hours apart prevents its electrolyte effects. New weakness, palpitations, swelling or a change in blood pressure deserves review; do not adjust chlorthalidone or add potassium yourself.
Evidence and practical considerations
Timing & monitoring
Conditional avoidance precaution applies to verified glycyrrhizin-containing licorice with potassium-lowering diuretics; no protective hour-based spacing. Generic root/rhizome identity must be checked.
- Exact scope
- Generic licorice root/rhizome entry. Confirm Glycyrrhiza species and glycyrrhizin content; EMA guidance covers roots of G. glabra, G. inflata and G. uralensis. with Oral chlorthalidone, exact RxCUI2409 IN. No automatic transfer from loop diuretics or another thiazide.
- Medication form and route
- oral medication; oral supplement
What remains uncertain
- No universal risk rate or spacing interval; individual source limitations apply.
Factors that may matter: Preparation and plant part; Dose and duration; Kidney function; Fluid status; Other medicines; Calcium or potassium status.
Read the supporting source summaries
Source 1: current product label
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: People treated with oral chlorthalidone
Can cause fluid and electrolyte disturbances, including low potassium and sodium. Reduces urinary calcium excretion and can raise serum calcium; substantial elevation needs evaluation.
How this applies: Exact medication, salt, route, plant part, formulation and clinical endpoint govern applicability.
Exact oral product; not another thiazide or loop diuretic. Chlorothiazide sodium intravenous therapy is a separate route and salt. THALITONE has product-specific bioavailability and should not be assumed dose-for-dose identical to other formulations.
Source 2: regulatory assessment
ema.europa.eu · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: People using the specified oral preparation.
Glycyrrhizin-containing liquorice can cause mineralocorticoid effects including potassium loss, sodium/water retention and hypertension. Concomitant use with diuretics is not recommended.
How this applies: Interpret only for the stated species, preparation, route and endpoints; exact chlorthalidone pair evidence is distinguished.
Not exact chlorthalidone co-use trial. Generic root/rhizome identity requires confirmation; deglycyrrhizinated products have a different exposure.
Source 3: original human study
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: 28 healthy adults.
Home systolic pressure rose and renin and aldosterone were suppressed during licorice exposure versus control.
How this applies: Interpret only for the stated species, preparation, route and endpoints; exact chlorthalidone pair evidence is distinguished.
No chlorthalidone; abstract does not establish potassium loss or botanical species/part of every root product.
Research assessment: · Open full citations ↗
Review and change history
- Publication status
- Published research summary
- Clinical review
- Not yet recorded
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| Article prepared | |
| Prepared exact-pair article with separately verified drug label, original human evidence and explicit preparation and endpoint limitations. | |
| Research summary published |
Article revision: 16e6f315f9e12402
This guide brings together the evidence records used by our interaction checker. Each finding retains its own preparation limits, research date, and source summaries.
Full citations require verification. Reading this answer and the source summaries does not.
Taking other supplements or medications?
Use the checker to explore your other combinations. Ask a pharmacist to review the exact products, amounts and medical conditions in your complete list.
Open the interaction checkerInformation, not medical advice. Do not change prescribed treatment based on this guide.