Red Yeast Rice 600 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Bluebonnet
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Red Yeast Rice 600 mg 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
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg is a dietary supplement by Bluebonnet 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 Red Yeast Rice. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet — 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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet
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 product contains a single active ingredient: red yeast rice, a fermented food that naturally contains lovastatin, a compound chemically identical to the statin drug used to help manage cholesterol. The capsule itself is made from vegetable cellulose, with vegetable magnesium stearate as a processing aid—no animal-derived ingredients.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Red yeast rice is rated possibly effective for helping manage cholesterol levels in people with HIV/AIDS-related dyslipidemia and for reducing the risk of heart attack. The evidence for these uses exists but isn't conclusive.
We hold no data on its effectiveness for general cholesterol management in other populations.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Red yeast rice is generally well tolerated, though it works like a statin and carries similar risks. Common side effects in trials include abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness, flatulence, headache, heartburn, and nausea.
Rare but serious events include muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), liver damage (hepatotoxicity), and nerve damage; contaminated batches have caused kidney toxicity. There have also been isolated reports of rashes, hair loss, and tingling in the extremities.
The safety data advises against use during pregnancy because of its statin-like effects. Breastfeeding safety data isn't available on file, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you if you're nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before you take this, double-check with your pharmacist if you're on cyclosporine (used after organ transplants), other statin drugs, CYP3A4 inhibitors (which slow how your liver processes drugs), gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, or any medication that can damage the liver. These carry Moderate severity risks of muscle breakdown, elevated drug levels, or liver damage.
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 might help manage cholesterol in certain populations, but because it contains a statin drug in unpredictable amounts, it carries real risks—especially with other heart or transplant medications. If you're on any prescription drugs, check with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting it.
It's not for pregnancy, and the supplement's quality varies batch to batch.
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 Jul 25, 2018.
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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Bluebonnet |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 743715011717 |
| Net contents | 120 Vegetable Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jul 25, 2018 |
| DSLD ID | 179275 |
| Product type | Non-nutrient/non-botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Red Yeast Rice | 600 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Kosher Vegetable Capsules, Vegetable Cellulose, Vegetable Magnesium 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
Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.
Formula
Bluebonnet’s Red Yeast Rice 600 mg Capsules contain pure red yeast rice, which is the product of rice fermentation with various strains of the yeast, Monascus purpureus.
Bluebonnet’s KOF-K Certification #K-0000700
Monascus Purpureus
General Statements
Available in easy-to-swallow vegetable capsules for maximum assimilation and absorption.
General
1171E
Seals/Symbols
Made with non GMO ingredients
Vegan K Parve Gluten free
Formulation
Made with non GMO ingredients
Vegan
Free of milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Also free of corn, gluten, barley, sodium and sugar.
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Precautions
Caution: Do not use this product, if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding. If taking prescription medication, speak to your physician before use.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet 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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.
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...
Red Yeast Rice monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Kosher Vegetable Capsules, Vegetable Cellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Bluebonnet's Red Yeast Rice 600 mg contains lovastatin, a statin drug, and interacts with a range of medications.
The most serious concern is with cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant used after transplants), which can raise lovastatin levels 5- to 20-fold and cause severe muscle breakdown (myopathy and rhabdomyolysis).
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Other drugs that significantly raise lovastatin levels include CYP3A4 inhibitors (a class of medications that slow how your liver processes the supplement) and other statin drugs themselves—combining them theoretically increases risk of muscle damage and liver toxicity. Gemfibrozil and high-dose niacin both carry documented risks of rhabdomyolysis when paired with lovastatin.
Any drug that stresses the liver (hepatotoxic drugs) adds theoretical risk of liver damage.
Because red yeast rice is a natural product with varying lovastatin content from batch to batch, the strength of these interactions can be unpredictable. If you take any prescription medication, run it through the checker below before starting this supplement.
Altogether, these interactions span 478 individual medications.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Red Yeast Rice 600 mg?
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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg interact with 477 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Red Yeast Rice 600 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Red Yeast Rice
6-mercaptopurinePurinethol
How 6-mercaptopurine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + 6-mercaptopurine interactionAbacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq
How Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interactionAbacavir, LamivudineEpzicom
How Abacavir, Lamivudine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Abacavir, Lamivudine interactionAbametapirXeglyze
How Abametapir interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
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 Red Yeast Rice + Abametapir interactionAbiraterone
How Abiraterone interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
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 Red Yeast Rice + Abiraterone interactionAbiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga
How Abiraterone Acetate interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Abiraterone Acetate interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acarbose interactionAcebutololRhotral, Sectral
How Acebutolol interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acebutolol interactionAcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Brompheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineDimetapp Cold and Flu
How Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, ButalbitalAxocet, Bancap, Bucet, Butex Forte, Esgic CF, Orbivan CF +5 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CaffeineEsgic, Esgic Plus, Fiogesic, Fioricet, Repan, Tecnal +1 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, CodeineEsgic with Codeine, Fioricet w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CodeineBancap w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine PhosphatePhrenilin #3
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, PhenylephrineHycomine Compound
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full 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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full 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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine, Salicylamide interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, DihydrocodeineDHC Plus, Panlor DC, Panlor SS
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, IsomethepteneMigralam
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Isometheptene interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Isometheptene interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength Menstrual
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Pyrilamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full 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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hbr interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, PhenylephrineColrex
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, DextromethorphanCoricidin II Extra Strength Cold and Flu
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan HydrobromideCoricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, PhenylpropanolamineMulti Symptom Cold Relief
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full 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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, SalicylamideRhinogesic GG
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast RiceHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Red Yeast Rice 600 mg 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.
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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg, from the product label.
Bluebonnet
- Name
- Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation
- Street Address
- 12915 Dairy Ashford
- City
- Sugar Land
- State
- TX
- ZipCode
- 77478
- Web Address
- www.bluebonnetnutrition.com
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet: Common Questions
Does Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Bluebonnet interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take red yeast rice if I'm already on a statin?
Is red yeast rice safe to take during pregnancy?
What are the most common side effects?
Does red yeast rice actually lower cholesterol?
Why does the quality vary between batches?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Red Yeast Rice 600 mg 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 Red Yeast Rice 600 mg’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg'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
- Smith, D. J. and Olive, K. E. Chinese red rice-induced myopathy. South.Med J 2003;96(12):1265-1267. PubMed
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