Licorice tablets are a common Chinese herbal medicine, which is widely used in cough and phlegm. It has good efficacy, but there are also some hidden harms during use.
First, let's learn about the efficacy of licorice tablets
Licorice tablets have the effects of cough and phlegm, moistening the lungs and quenching thirst, and detoxifying. It is rich in glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhizin and other ingredients, which can relieve cough symptoms, reduce the secretion of sputum, and promote the discharge of sputum, thus playing the role of cough and phlegm.
In addition, licorice tablets can also increase saliva secretion and relieve symptoms of dry mouth and thirst. Therefore, licorice tablets are widely used in clinical practice for cough, pharyngitis, bronchitis and other diseases.
2. There are also some side effects in the use of licorice tabletswith
First, long-term use of licorice tablets in large amounts may lead to sodium retention and edema. The glycyrrhizic acid in licorice tablets inhibits the breakdown of adrenal corticotropic hormones, thereby increasing sodium reabsorption, leading to sodium retention in the body and causing edema.
Secondly, licorice tablets may also cause high blood pressure. The glycyrrhizic acid in licorice tablets inhibits the breakdown of adrenaline, increasing the action of adrenaline, leading to an increase in blood pressure.
In addition, licorice tablets may cause hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. The glycyrrhizic acid in licorice tablets inhibits renal tubular potassium reabsorption, leading to increased urinary potassium excretion, causing hypokalemia.
At the same time, the glycyrrhizic acid in licorice tablets will increase the excretion of hydrogen ions from the renal tubules, leading to an increase in alkaline substances in the body, causing metabolic alkalosis.
Third, in order to avoid licorice tablets *** we should make it correctlyUse it
First of all, you should use licorice tablets according to your doctor's instructions, and do not increase or decrease the dose by yourself. The doctor will determine the dosage and duration of licorice tablets according to the specific situation of the patient, and the patient should use them according to the doctor's instructions.
Secondly, pay attention to the time of use of licorice tablets. Licorice tablets are best used after meals to reduce irritation of the gastric mucosa.
In addition, it is necessary to avoid the simultaneous use of licorice tablets with other medications to avoid drug interactions.
Finally, blood pressure and potassium levels are monitored regularly. Patients who use licorice tablets for a long time should regularly check their blood pressure and blood potassium levels, as well as other relevant indicators, and detect and treat them in time***
Summary: As a common Chinese herbal medicine, licorice tablets have the effect of relieving cough and reducing phlegm. However, there are also some hidden hazards in the process of use, such as sodium retention, hypertension, hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.