Reversible Severe Hypertension Due to Licorice Ingestion

Abstract

DUTCH children and adults may ingest large quantities of the candy licorice and become hypertensive, with profound salt and water retention and edema formation.1 2 3 Though moderate degrees of hypertension with a diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg are frequently observed with licorice ingestion,4 this is the first report of severe hypertension reversible with cessation of ingestion.Case ReportA 20-year-old single woman was first examined at another hospital for severe unexplained headaches, fatigue and hypertension (blood pressure of 220/140). She was extensively studied for the hypertension, and even a surgical exploration of both kidneys for suspected renal-artery stenosis, suggested . . .