Benji Koji RYR Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Benji Koji RYR against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Benji Koji RYR is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, heart health, metabolic syndrome.Based on those ingredients, 477 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are organic Red Yeast Rice. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories
Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This supplement contains one active ingredient: organic red yeast rice. Red yeast rice is a fermented product that naturally contains lovastatin, a statin-type compound similar to prescription cholesterol medications.
The capsule also holds inactive ingredients—gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, and vegetable stearate—which are fillers and binders.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Red yeast rice is rated possibly effective for managing abnormal cholesterol in people with HIV/AIDS (HIV/AIDS-related dyslipidemia) and possibly effective for reducing the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction). The evidence supporting these uses exists, but it's not conclusive.
We don't hold effectiveness data for other uses you might be considering.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Red yeast rice is generally well tolerated, but it works like a statin drug and carries similar risks. The most common side effects are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness, flatulence, headache, heartburn, muscle pain (myopathy), and nausea.
Rare but serious effects include liver damage (hepatotoxicity) and severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), likely tied to its lovastatin content. A small number of people reported rash, itching, or hair loss; one case of nerve damage in the extremities was reported.
The safety data advises against use during pregnancy because of red yeast rice's statin-like effects. We hold insufficient information on safety during breastfeeding; talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.
Product quality varies between brands, which can affect both benefit and risk.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, double-check with your pharmacist if you take cyclosporine (immunosuppressant), gemfibrozil or other cholesterol medications, high-dose niacin, other statin drugs, drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 liver metabolism, or any medication known to damage the liver.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
Red yeast rice may be worth considering if you're managing cholesterol or heart disease risk and your doctor approves—but only if you don't take cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, niacin, or other statins. Check your exact medications with the tool on this page first.
If you're pregnant, this isn't for you. Talk to your pharmacist before starting.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 23, 2020.
This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed
General information
Key facts about Benji Koji RYR, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Douglas Laboratories |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 310539012093 |
| Net contents | 120 Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Aug 23, 2020 |
| DSLD ID | 232036 |
| Product type | Non-nutrient/non-botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating), Gluten Free |
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.
Supplement Facts
The label details for Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| organic Red Yeast Rice | 1000 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Stearate
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults take 2 capsules twice daily or as directed by your health professional.
Precautions
Warning: Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women. Do not take this product if you have a liver condition or have elevated liver enzymes. If you are taking any medication, consult your health professional before use.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Use only if safety seal is intact.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
Formulation
Gluten-free, Non-GMO
Healthy lipid metabolism
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
General Statements
Scan to learn about our manufacturing excellence Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity.
Formula
Red Yeast Rice
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.
View the full label (PDF)The Ingredients in Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.
Organic Red Yeast Rice
Interacts with477 drugs
Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, which is chemically identical to the prescription statin lovastatin, and it can lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol. Be...
Organic Red Yeast Rice monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories contains red yeast rice, which has documented interactions with a number of medications.
The most serious concern is cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant drug); combining red yeast rice with cyclosporine can increase lovastatin levels dramatically—up to 20-fold—raising the risk of muscle damage (myopathy) and a severe breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis).
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Red yeast rice also interacts with other drug types. Gemfibrozil (a cholesterol medication) and high-dose niacin (a B vitamin) both increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis when combined with lovastatin from red yeast rice.
Hepatotoxic drugs (medications that can damage the liver) may increase the risk of liver harm. CYP3A4 inhibitors (drugs metabolized through a specific liver pathway) can raise lovastatin levels.
Other statins (cholesterol drugs) might increase statin-related side effects.
Altogether, these interactions span 459 individual medications. Use the drug checker on this page with your exact medications before starting this product.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Benji Koji RYR?
Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.
Go to the checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Benji Koji RYR interact with 477 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Benji Koji RYR interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. organic Red Yeast Rice
6-mercaptopurinePurinethol
How 6-mercaptopurine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + 6-mercaptopurine interactionAbacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq
How Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interactionAbacavir, LamivudineEpzicom
How Abacavir, Lamivudine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Abacavir, Lamivudine interactionAbametapirXeglyze
How Abametapir interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inhibitors Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzymes might increase levels of lovastatin from red yeast rice.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Abametapir interactionAbiraterone
How Abiraterone interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inhibitors, Hepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzymes might increase levels of lovastatin from red yeast rice.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Abiraterone interactionAbiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga
How Abiraterone Acetate interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Abiraterone Acetate interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acarbose interactionAcebutololRhotral, Sectral
How Acebutolol interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acebutolol interactionAcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Brompheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineDimetapp Cold and Flu
How Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, ButalbitalAxocet, Bancap, Bucet, Butex Forte, Esgic CF, Orbivan CF +5 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CaffeineEsgic, Esgic Plus, Fiogesic, Fioricet, Repan, Tecnal +1 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, CodeineEsgic with Codeine, Fioricet w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CodeineBancap w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine PhosphatePhrenilin #3
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, PhenylephrineHycomine Compound
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, CodeineGesic C15, Gesic C30, Gesic C8, Lenoltec 1, Lenoltec 2, Lenoltec 3 +1 more
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine, SalicylamideCodalan No.1, Codalan No.2, Codalan No.3
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine, Salicylamide interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine, Salicylamide interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, DihydrocodeineDHC Plus, Panlor DC, Panlor SS
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, IsomethepteneMigralam
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Isometheptene interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Isometheptene interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength Menstrual
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Pyrilamine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Pyrilamine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HbrVicks Formula 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hbr interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hbr interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, PhenylephrineColrex
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, DextromethorphanCoricidin II Extra Strength Cold and Flu
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan HydrobromideCoricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, PhenylpropanolamineMulti Symptom Cold Relief
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, PseudoephedrineChildren's Tylenol Cold Plus Cough, Tylenol Cold Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, SalicylamideRhinogesic GG
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interacts with Benji Koji RYR — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Organic Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Benji Koji RYR with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
organic Red Yeast Rice
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Theoretically, taking red yeast rice in combination with cyclosporine might increase the risk of myopathy.
Red yeast rice contains varying levels of the statin drug lovastatin. Cyclosporine has been reported to increase plasma levels of lovastatin by 5- to 20-fold, resulting in reports of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Inhibitors
Theoretically, drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzymes might increase levels of lovastatin from red yeast rice.
Red yeast rice contains varying levels of the statin drug lovastatin, which is metabolized by CYP3A4. Combining red yeast rice with CYP3A4 inhibitors might increase serum levels of lovastatin from red yeast rice.
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Theoretically, taking red yeast rice in combination with gemfibrozil might increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis.
Red yeast rice contains varying levels of the statin drug lovastatin. Gemfibrozil has been reported to increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis when used in combination with lovastatin.
Hepatotoxic Drugs
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Red yeast rice contains varying levels of the drug lovastatin. Lovastatin can cause liver damage in some people. Some clinical research suggests that supplements containing red yeast rice might increase liver enzyme levels in some, but not all, participants. Cases of acute hepatitis have been associated with red yeast rice. Combining it with hepatotoxic drugs might further increase this risk.
Hmg-Coa Reductase Inhibitors ("Statins")
Theoretically, taking red yeast rice with other statins might increase the risk of potential adverse effects.
Red yeast rice contains varying levels of the statin drug lovastatin and might result in supratherapeutic levels when used with other statins. Based on evaluation of data from the US Food and Drug Administration's adverse event reporting system (FAERS), it is recommended that red yeast rice products be avoided in people taking prescription statins.
Niacin
Theoretically, taking red yeast rice in combination with high-dose niacin might increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis.
Red yeast rice contains varying levels of the statin drug lovastatin and has been linked to reports of myopathy. Niacin has been reported to increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis when used in combination with lovastatin.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Benji Koji RYR, from the product label.
Douglas Laboratories
See all Douglas Laboratories products- Name
- Douglas Laboratories
- Street Address
- 600 Boyce Road
- City
- Pittsburgh
- State
- PA
- ZipCode
- 15205
- Phone Number
- 1.800.245.4440
- Web Address
- www.douglaslabs.com
Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions
Does Benji Koji RYR by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
What exactly is red yeast rice?
Can I take this if I'm already on a statin?
What are the most common side effects?
Is this safe during pregnancy?
Does the quality of red yeast rice products vary?
What does 'possibly effective' mean?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Benji Koji RYR is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.
The Full Monographs Behind Benji Koji RYR’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Benji Koji RYR's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
The 50 references behind this product’s interaction data
Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
Red Yeast Rice 50 references
- Hebel SK, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons. 52nd ed. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons, 1998.
- Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:231-6. PubMed
- Wang J, Lu A, Chi J. Multicenter clinical trial of the serum lipid-lowering effects of a monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation from traditional Chinese medicine. Cur Ther Res 1997;58:964-78. DOI
- Wigger-Alberti W, Bauer A, Hipler UC, Elsner P. Anaphylaxis due to Monascus purpureus-fermented rice (red yeast rice). Allergy 1999;54:1330-1.
- Prasad GV, Wong T, Meliton G, Bhaloo S. Rhabdomyolysis due to red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) in a renal transplant recipient. Transplantation 2002;74:1200-1. PubMed
- Heber D, Lembertas A, Lu QY, et al. An analysis of nine proprietary Chinese red yeast rice dietary supplements: implications of variability in chemical profile and contents. J Altern Complement Med 2001;7:133-9. PubMed
- Mueller PS. Symptomatic myopathy due to red yeast rice. Ann Intern Med 2006;145:474-5. PubMed
- Roselle H, Ekatan A, Tzeng J, et al. Symptomatic hepatitis associated with the use of herbal red yeast rice. Ann Intern Med 2008;149:516-7. PubMed
- Lapi F, Gallo E, Bernasconi S, et al. Myopathies associated with red yeast rice and liquorice: spontaneous reports from the Italian Surveillance System of Natural Health Products. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2008;66:572-74. PubMed
- Becker DJ, Gordon RY, Halbert SC, et al. Red yeast rice for dyslipidemia in statin-intolerant patients: A randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2009;150:830-9. PubMed
- Halbert SC, French B, Gordon RY, et al. Tolerability of red yeast rice (2,400 mg twice daily) versus pravastatin (20 mg twice daily) in patients with previous statin intolerance. Am J Cardiol 2010;105:198-204. PubMed
- Gordon RY, Cooperman T, Obermeyer W, Becker DJ. Marked variability of monacolin levels in commercial red yeast rice products: buyer beware! Arch Intern Med 2010;170:1722-7. PubMed
- Karl M, Rubenstein M, Rudnick C, Brejda J. A multicenter study of nutraceutical drinks for cholesterol (evaluating effectiveness and tolerability). J Clin Lipidology 2012;6:150-158. PubMed
- Huang, J., Frohlich, J., and Ignaszewski, A. P. The impact of dietary changes and dietary supplements on lipid profile. Can J Cardiol 2011;27(4):488-505. PubMed
- Grieco, A., Miele, L., Pompili, M., Biolato, M., Vecchio, F. M., Grattagliano, I., and Gasbarrini, G. Acute hepatitis caused by a natural lipid-lowering product: when "alternative" medicine is no "alternative" at all. J Hepatol 2009;50(6):1273-1277. PubMed
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