The short answer
A glycyrrhizin-containing licorice root product can add to potassium concerns with torsemide. 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
- torsemide
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. Torsemide 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 torsemide 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 torsemide or add potassium yourself.
Evidence and practical considerations
Side effects & toxicity
Conditional on a verified glycyrrhizin-containing licorice preparation; covered-root diuretic guidance supports potassium concern but generic species/part identity remains incomplete.
- 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 torsemide, exact RxCUI38413 IN; not all loop diuretics or parenteral exposure.
- Medication form and route
- oral torsemide; oral supplement
What remains uncertain
- Source-specific identity and endpoint limits apply; no unstudied dosing recommendation.
Factors that may matter: Dose and duration; Kidney function; Exact preparation; Other medicines.
Read the supporting source summaries
Source 1: current product label
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov · Source check Sep 10, 2026
Population: People prescribed oral torsemide for edema or hypertension.
Excess diuresis may cause dehydration, hypotension and worsening renal function. Electrolyte abnormalities include hypokalemia; monitor serum electrolytes. Low-dose hypertension studies showed small average potassium decreases, with no universal deficiency. Photosensitivity appears among postmarketing reports.
How this applies: Interpret only for the stated species, preparation, route and endpoints; exact torsemide pair evidence is distinguished.
No named botanical interaction for this batch. Postmarketing reports cannot establish frequency or causality. Potassium replacement is not required for every patient.
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 torsemide pair evidence is distinguished.
Not exact torsemide 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 torsemide pair evidence is distinguished.
No torsemide; 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 preparation boundaries and qualified current-claim conclusions. | |
| Research summary published |
Article revision: f2aceb226555dc58
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.