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Hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria due to licorice ingestion and diuretic treatment

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Summary

A 54-year-old man was admitted to hospital with acute rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria due to hypokalemia. The hypokalemia was due to chronic licorice ingestion and diuretic treatment. The myoglobinemia led to a glomerulopathy and tubulopathy. There was, however, no clinical evidence of acute renal failure (ARF). We propose that the volume expansion caused by the steroid-like actions of licorice might have prevented the development of an ARF.

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Heidemann, H.T., Kreuzfelder, E. Hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria due to licorice ingestion and diuretic treatment. Klin Wochenschr 61, 303–305 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01497780

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01497780

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