The short answer
Not known in people. We found no study of licorice with MAOIs in people. Memorial Sloan Kettering's licorice monograph says licorice may boost the activity of MAOIs, though the clinical relevance is not known. In a lab study cited by the European Medicines Agency, a licorice extract blocked MAO-B, one of the enzymes these medicines act on.
Licorice also raises blood pressure and lowers potassium on its own, through glycyrrhizin, its sweet compound. If you take an MAOI such as tranylcypromine or selegiline, tell your prescribing doctor before you take mulethi in any form, including teas, lozenges and cough products, and ask whether your blood pressure should be checked.
MAOIs sold in India include tranylcypromine (Trivon) and selegiline (Selgin).
At a glance
| What was seen | How it may work | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possible stronger MAOI effect[1] | Not established | MAOI effect may increase; size unknown | Theoretical by mechanism |
| Licorice extract blocked the MAO-B enzyme[2] | Enzyme inhibition in the lab | Could add to what the MAOI does | In vitro |
No listing is not a clearance. A missing interaction here never means a combination is safe.
The evidence, study by study
Herb monograph, Memorial Sloan Kettering Theoretical by mechanism
MSK lists MAOIs among the medicines licorice may interact with, in these words: "Licorice may potentiate activity of MAOIs. Clinical relevance is not known." It gives no study, dose or size of effect for the warning.[1]
Laboratory study, 2013, cited by the EMA In vitro
The European Medicines Agency's assessment report cites a 2013 lab study by Mazzio and colleagues in which a methanol extract of licorice blocked MAO-B at low concentrations. Lab findings like this show a possible route for an interaction. They do not show that one happens in people.[2]
What your doctor may watch for
- Blood pressure and potassium, because glycyrrhizin raises the first and lowers the second.[3]
What to tell your prescribing doctor
You can read this out, or show them this page:
“I am taking, or planning to take, mulethi (licorice) as a tea, powder, lozenge or cough product (name and how much) along with my MAOI. A monograph warns that licorice may boost MAOIs, and licorice can raise blood pressure. Is it a concern for me?”
Withheld until review
Related
Mulethi (licorice) and blood pressure medicines
Glycyrrhizin in mulethi raises blood pressure and lowers potassium. It can work against blood pressure medicines, as a regulator and a case report show.
InteractionMulethi (licorice) and steroid medicines like prednisolone
Glycyrrhizin from mulethi slowed the clearance of prednisolone in six men. A European regulator advises against licorice with corticosteroids.
InteractionAshwagandha and antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs)
Doctors in Poland reported side effects they judged were caused by ashwagandha with sertraline, escitalopram or paroxetine.
InteractionBrahmi and antidepressants or anxiety medicines
No study has tested brahmi with SSRIs. Two adverse-event reports involve other antidepressants, and other medicines may explain them.
Sources
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs: Licorice (health professional information, herb-drug interactions).
- European Medicines Agency, HMPC. Assessment report on Glycyrrhiza glabra L., G. inflata Bat., G. uralensis Fisch., radix. EMA/HMPC/108395/2024, revision 1.
- European Medicines Agency, HMPC. European Union herbal monograph on Glycyrrhiza glabra L., G. inflata Bat., G. uralensis Fisch., radix. EMA/HMPC/108399/2024, revision 1, adopted 4 March 2026. Sections 4.4 and 4.5.
Awaiting review by The Good Vaidya Medical Board. Prepared from the sources below and checked against each one.
Published 4 November 2026 · Last updated 4 November 2026
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