Red Yeast Rice 600 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
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 Puritan's Pride 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 powder. 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 Puritan's Pride
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Puritan's Pride — 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
Ask the Pharmacist
A licensed pharmacist will answer your question by email — free, usually within 24 hours.
Got it — thank you!
A licensed pharmacist will answer within 24 hours. Keep an eye on your email (worth checking spam, just in case).
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Puritan's Pride
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 one active ingredient: red yeast rice powder at 600 mg per capsule. Red yeast rice is a fermented food that naturally contains lovastatin, a compound that works like a statin drug to help manage cholesterol.
The capsule itself is made from gelatin, a standard inactive ingredient.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Red yeast rice is rated possibly effective for high cholesterol in people with HIV/AIDS and for reducing the risk of heart attack. The evidence we hold is limited to those uses.
We don't have effectiveness ratings for other cholesterol or heart health claims.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Red yeast rice is generally well tolerated, but it carries statin-like risks because of its lovastatin content. The most common side effects are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness, flatulence, headache, heartburn, nausea, and muscle pain.
Rarely, people have reported liver damage, severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), kidney damage (if the product is contaminated), skin rashes, itching, hair loss, and nerve tingling or weakness. Because it acts like a statin, the safety data advises against use during pregnancy.
For breastfeeding, there isn't enough data on file to know either way—talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, confirm with your doctor or pharmacist that you're not on cyclosporine, other statin drugs, CYP3A4 inhibitors (certain antifungals and HIV drugs), gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, or hepatotoxic medications. Even one of these combinations carries a moderate risk of serious muscle or liver damage.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
Red yeast rice may be worth considering if you have high cholesterol linked to HIV/AIDS or want to lower heart attack risk, but only if you don't take statins, cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, or other medications that interact with it. Because lovastatin levels vary unpredictably between batches, product quality is a real concern.
Before you start, check your complete medication list with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you.
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 Jan 22, 2021.
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 | Puritan's Pride |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 074312162114 |
| Net contents | 60 Rapid Release Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jan 22, 2021 |
| DSLD ID | 242402 |
| 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, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Puritan's Pride, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Red Yeast Rice powder | 1200 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Contains <2% of
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.
General Statements
Puritan's Pride supplements are produced from the finest raw materials under our stringent quality control standards. State-of-the-art manufacturing and packaging facilities ensure you the highest quality nutritional supplements money can buy. When it comes to your health....choose the best.
To reorder item # 6211 www.puritan.com 1-800-645-1030
Doctors Trust
Red Yeast Rice has been a part of the traditionally Chinese diet for centuries.
Precautions
Warning: Do not use if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding because using this product may cause birth defects. If you are taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.
Avoid this product if you have liver disease. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur including muscle pain or weakness, rash or gastrointestinal discomfort.
Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.
Do not exceed four (4) capsules in a 24-hour period.
Storage
Store at room temperature.
Brand IP Statement(s)
Copyright 2020 Puritan's Pride, Inc.
Seals/Symbols
QA Quality Assured
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: For adults, take two (2) capsules once or twice daily, preferably with meals. Do not exceed four (4) capsules in a 24-hour period. It is recommended that you also take a Coenzyme Q-10 supplement when using this product.
Formula
Two capsules contain 1,200 milligrams of Red Yeast Rice Powder, which is produced by fermentation of rice with Monascus purpureus yeast.
Formulation
No artificial color, flavor or sweetener, no sugar, no milk, no lactose, no soy, no gluten, no wheat, no fish. Sodium free.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Puritan's Pride 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 Puritan's Pride
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 container30 Amounts shown are per serving.
Red Yeast Rice powder
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 powder monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Contains <2% of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Puritan's Pride Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Puritan's Pride Red Yeast Rice 600 mg interacts with medications through its lovastatin content, a statin-like drug naturally present in red yeast rice at varying levels.
The most serious concern is with cyclosporine (used after transplants), which can raise lovastatin levels 5- to 20-fold and cause severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) and muscle pain (myopathy).
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
You'll also want to avoid combining this with other statin drugs (like atorvastatin or simvastatin), drugs that slow lovastatin metabolism (CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as certain antifungals and HIV medications), gemfibrozil (a cholesterol drug), high-dose niacin, or hepatotoxic drugs (medications that can damage the liver). Each combination carries a moderate risk of increasing lovastatin levels or worsening muscle and liver damage.
Although red yeast rice is the only active ingredient here, we could not fully verify interactions with all possible medications because product quality varies widely—lovastatin content is inconsistent from batch to batch. Altogether, these interactions span 478 individual medications.
Run your exact prescriptions through the interaction checker below before starting this product.
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 powder
6-mercaptopurinePurinethol
How 6-mercaptopurine interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + Abacavir, Lamivudine interactionAbametapirXeglyze
How Abametapir interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice PowderCytochrome 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 Powder + Abametapir interactionAbiraterone
How Abiraterone interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice PowderCytochrome 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 Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + Acarbose interactionAcebutololRhotral, Sectral
How Acebutolol interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + Acetaminophen interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with Red Yeast Rice 600 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 Rice PowderHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Powder + 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 powder
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.
Puritan's Pride
See all Puritan's Pride products- Name
- Puritan's Pride, Inc.
- City
- Ronkonkoma
- State
- NY
- ZipCode
- 11779
- Phone Number
- 1-800-645-1030
- Web Address
- www.puritan.com
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Puritan's Pride: Common Questions
Does Red Yeast Rice 600 mg by Puritan's Pride 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 it safe during pregnancy?
Does the lovastatin content stay the same from bottle to bottle?
Can this replace my prescription statin?
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
- Liu, B. H., Wu, T. S., Su, M. C., Chung, C. P., and Yu, F. Y. Evaluation of citrinin occurrence and cytotoxicity in Monascus fermentation products. J Agric.Food Chem. 1-12-2005;53(1):170-175.
- Lin, C. C., Li, T. C., and Lai, M. M. Efficacy and safety of Monascus purpureus Went rice in subjects with hyperlipidemia. Eur J Endocrinol 2005;153(5):679-686. PubMed
- Zhao, S. P., Lu, Z. L., Du, B. M., Chen, Z., Wu, Y. F., Yu, X. H., Zhao, Y. C., Liu, L., Ye, H. J., and Wu, Z. H. Xuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, reduces cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes patients with coronary heart disease: subgroup analysis
- Lu, Z., Kou, W., Du, B., Wu, Y., Zhao, S., Brusco, O. A., Morgan, J. M., Capuzzi, D. M., and Li, S. Effect of Xuezhikang, an extract from red yeast Chinese rice, on coronary events in a Chinese population with previous myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol PubMed
- Li, J. J., Lu, Z. L., Kou, W. R., Chen, Z., Wu, Y. F., Yu, X. H., and Zhao, Y. C. Beneficial impact of Xuezhikang on cardiovascular events and mortality in elderly hypertensive patients with previous myocardial infarction from the China Coronary Secondary
- Li, J. J., Lu, Z. L., Kou, W. R., Chen, Z., Wu, Y. F., Yu, X. H., and Zhao, Y. C. Impact of Xuezhikang on coronary events in hypertensive patients with previous myocardial infarction from the China Coronary Secondary Prevention Study (CCSPS). Ann Med 2010 PubMed
- Li, J. J., Lu, Z. L., Kou, W. R., Chen, Z., Wu, Y. F., Yu, X. H., and Zhao, Y. C. Long-term effects of Xuezhikang on blood pressure in hypertensive patients with previous myocardial infarction: data from the Chinese Coronary Secondary Prevention Study (CC
- Liu, Z. L., Liu, J. P., Zhang, A. L., Wu, Q., Ruan, Y., Lewith, G., and Visconte, D. Chinese herbal medicines for hypercholesterolemia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011;(7):CD008305. PubMed
- Chagas, G. M., Kluppel, M. L., Campello, Ade P., Buchi, Dde F., and de Oliveira, M. B. Alterations induced by citrinin in cultured kidney cells. Cell Struct.Funct. 1994;19(2):103-108. PubMed
- Krejci, M. E., Bretz, N. S., and Koechel, D. A. Citrinin produces acute adverse changes in renal function and ultrastructure in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs without concomitant reductions in [potassium] plasma. Toxicology 1-8-1996;106(1-3):167-177. PubMed
- Blanc PJ, Laussac JP, Le Bars J, et al. Characterization of monascidin A from Monascus as citrinin. Int J Food Microbiol. 1995;27(2-3):201-213. PubMed
- Lu, Z. L., Xu, S., and Kou, W. R. The clinical observation of treatment of hyperlipidemia with different dose of Xuezhikang. National Symposium of Clinical Therapies for Cardiovascular Diseases 1995;1997:53-57.
- Bonovich, K., Colfer, H., Petoskey, M. I., and et al. A multi-center, self-controlled study of cholestin in subjects with elevated cholesterol. Journal of Investigative Medicine 1999;47(2):54A.
- Pisciotta, L., Boscarini, M., and Corio, R. Studi clinici su Normolip5, integratore alimentare per il controllo del colesterolo. Medicina Naturale 2004;68-70.
- Barrat E, Zaïr Y, Sirvent P, et al. Effect on LDL-cholesterol of a large dose of a dietary supplement with plant extracts in subjects with untreated moderate hypercholesterolaemia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Nutr. 2013;52( PubMed
- Kumari S, Sherriff JM, Spooner D, Beckett R. Peripheral neuropathy induced by red yeast rice in a patient with a known small bowel gastrointestinal tumour. BMJ Case Rep. 2013;2013. PubMed
- Mazzanti G, Moro PA, Raschi E, Da Cas R, Menniti-Ippolito F. Adverse reactions to dietary supplements containing red yeast rice: assessment of cases from the Italian surveillance system. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2017;83(4):894-908. PubMed
- Gerards MC, Terlou RJ, Yu H, Koks CH, Gerdes VE. Traditional Chinese lipid-lowering agent red yeast rice results in significant LDL reduction but safety is uncertain - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis. 2015;240(2):415-23. doi: 10.101 PubMed
- Venhuis BJ, van Hunsel F, van de Koppel S, Keizers PH, Jeurissen SM, De Kaste D. Pharmacologically effective red yeast rice preparations marketed as dietary supplements illustrated by a case report. Drug Test Anal. 2016;8(3-4):315-8. doi: 10.1002/dta.1929 PubMed
- Raschi E, Girardi A, Poluzzi E, et al. Adverse events to food supplements containing red yeast rice: comparative analysis of FAERS and CAERS reporting systems. Drug Saf 2018;41(8):745-52. doi: 10.1007/s40264-018-0661-3. PubMed
- Mercurio V, Pucci G, Bosso G, et al. A nutraceutical combination reduces left ventricular mass in subjects with metabolic syndrome and left ventricular hypertrophy: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2020;39(5):1 PubMed
- Prescribing Information. Mevacor (lovastatin). Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc., February 2012.
- Cicero AFG, Kennedy C, Knezevic T, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Armolipid Plus(®): An Updated PRISMA Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Nutrients 2021;13(2):638. PubMed
- Cicero AFG, Bove M, Cincione RI, Fogacci F, Veronesi M. Effect of combined lipid-lowering and antioxidant nutraceutical on plasma lipids, endothelial function, and estimated cardiovascular disease risk in moderately hypercholesterolemic patients: a double
- 7-20-21 FDA Drug Safety Communication. FDA requests removal of strongest warning against using cholesterol-lowering statins during pregnancy; still advises most pregnant patients should stop taking statins. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-s
- García-García MD, Bellido Muñoz F, Cordero Ruiz P, Caunedo Álvarez Á. Drug-induced liver injury associated to red yeast rice. Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2023. PubMed
- Santos S, Gomes S, Carvalho I, Bonito I, Carmo C. Rhabdomyolysis Related to Red Yeast Rice Ingestion. Cureus 2023;15(1):e33532. PubMed
- Banach M, Norata GD. Rhabdomyolysis or severe acute hepatitis associated with the use of red yeast rice extracts: an update from the adverse event reporting systems. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023;25(11):879-888. PubMed
- Wang YH, Zhang SS, Li HT, Zhi HW, Wu HY. Rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury after administration of a red yeast rice supplement: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2023;11(23):5547-5553. PubMed
- Norata GD, Banach M. The Impact of Red Yeast Rice Extract Use on the Occurrence of Muscle Symptoms and Liver Dysfunction: An Update from the Adverse Event Reporting Systems and Available Meta-Analyses. Nutrients 2024;16(3):444. PubMed
- Trogkanis E, Karalexi MA, Sergentanis TN, Kornarou E, Vassilakou T. Safety and Efficacy of the Consumption of the Nutraceutical "Red Yeast Rice Extract" for the Reduction of Hypercholesterolemia in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients PubMed
- Maiguma M, Kihara M, Hamaguchi M, et al. Successful treatment of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis probably due to Benikoji CholesteHelp(®), a supplement containing red yeast rice. CEN Case Rep 2024. PubMed
- Oda K, Murata T, Tanaka F, et al. A case of acute kidney injury and Fanconi syndrome while taking multiple supplements, including Red Yeast Rice Cholesterol Help(®). CEN Case Rep 2024. PubMed
- Miyazaki R, Takahashi Y, Kawamura T, Ueda H, Tsuboi N, Yokoo T. Acute kidney tubular injury after ingestion of red yeast rice supplement. Clin Kidney J 2024;17(6):sfae151. PubMed
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC