[Rapidly progressing quadriparesis secondary to licorice (souss) intoxication]

Regular consumption of licorice based beverages can provoke pseudohyperaldosteronism with hypokalemia but can rarely lead to severe muscle weakness.

A 62-year-old man was admitted for a one-week history of progressive weakness of the four limbs. Blood work revealed severe hypokalemia that was due to primary pseudo-hyperaldosteronism secondary to licorice intoxication. He became normal after correction of the electrolytes disturbances.

In an area where a liquorice-based beverage (souss), is frequently and sometimes excessively consumed, pseudo-hyperaldosteronism secondary to licorice toxicity should be thought of in front of any muscle weakness accompanied by hypokalemia. A rapid correction of electrolytes disturbances leads to rapid improvement.