Complications of carbenoxolone therapy

Side effects from carbenoxolone are common and are due to electrolyte disturbance, such as sodium retention and hypokalaemia. They occur particularly in the elderly, who may already be being treated for other illnesses. Eight patients are described with serious side effects from carbenoxolone therapy, some of which were unrecognized for some time because of inadequate follow-up or because clinicians were unfamiliar with them.