Red Yeast Rice Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by MRM
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Red Yeast Rice 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 is a dietary supplement by MRM 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 Red Yeast Rice by MRM
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Red Yeast Rice by MRM — 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 by MRM
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 single-ingredient supplement contains organic red yeast rice, which is a fermented rice product that naturally includes lovastatin—the same active compound found in prescription statin drugs used to manage cholesterol. The lovastatin content varies between batches and manufacturers.
The capsule itself is the only other ingredient.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Red yeast rice is rated possibly effective for lowering cholesterol in people with HIV/AIDS-related dyslipidemia and for reducing the risk of heart attack. However, because product quality and lovastatin content vary widely from batch to batch, the strength and reliability of these benefits depend on what you're actually getting in each capsule.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Red yeast rice is generally well tolerated in most people, though it can cause abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness, flatulence, headache, heartburn, nausea, and muscle pain—similar to statin side effects. In rare cases, it has caused liver damage and severe muscle breakdown, especially when combined with certain drugs.
Skin reactions like rash and hair loss have been reported rarely. Because it works like a statin drug and carries statin-like risks, it is not safe during pregnancy, and safety data for breastfeeding is not on file—talk to your doctor or pharmacist if either applies to you.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Stop and check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take cyclosporine, any statin drug, gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme system, or any medication that can damage the liver. These are moderate-severity interactions that could raise lovastatin to unsafe levels or increase the risk of muscle 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 is an option if you're looking for a supplement approach to cholesterol or heart-health support and you don't take cyclosporine, statins, gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, or medications that are hard on the liver. Because the lovastatin content varies and it carries real risks, this one deserves a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, especially if you're on any prescription medications.
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 Oct 10, 2014.
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, straight from the product label.
| Brand | MRM |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 60949285002 |
| Net contents | 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Oct 10, 2014 |
| DSLD ID | 37006 |
| Product type | Non-nutrient/non-botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 by MRM, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| organic Red Yeast Rice | 1200 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: None, Capsule
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.
Precautions
WARNING: Do not use if you are pregnant, nursing, or have liver disease. If you are taking prescription medications, consult a physician before taking this product.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
General
1113V001
General Statements
BASICS ~600mg Per Capsule
Red Yeast Rice is a unique whole food that is produced by cultivating the strain Monascus purpureus on rice. It has been commonly used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine as well as to naturally enhance the color and flavor of foods. MRM uses only the highest quality USDA Organic Red Yeast Rice certified by Ecocert.
Formula
~Made with Organic Red Yeast Rice
FDA Statement of Identity
DIETARY SUPPLEMENT
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested Usage: Take 2 capsules daily with a meal or as directed by your qualified healthcare provider.
Formulation
Contains NO milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, or gluten.
Seals/Symbols
PRODUCED IN A CERTIFIED FACILITY GMP GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Red Yeast Rice by MRM 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 by MRM
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 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: None, Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Red Yeast Rice by MRM Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
MRM's Red Yeast Rice contains lovastatin, a statin drug naturally present in the supplement at varying levels.
Because of this, it has moderate-severity interactions with several medication types. The most serious concern is with cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant), which can raise lovastatin levels 5- to 20-fold and cause muscle breakdown (myopathy) and severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis).
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Red yeast rice also interacts moderately with other statins, CYP3A4 inhibitors (drugs your liver uses to break down certain medications), gemfibrozil (a cholesterol drug), high-dose niacin, and drugs that are hard on the liver. All of these interactions center on lovastatin accumulating to unsafe levels or increasing the risk of muscle damage.
Altogether, these interactions span 478 individual medications. Before you start this supplement, use the interaction checker below with your exact prescription list.
If you take cyclosporine, any statin, gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, or medications that are metabolized through the CYP3A4 pathway or are hard on the liver, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Red Yeast Rice?
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 interact with 477 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Red Yeast Rice interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. organic Red Yeast Rice
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, PhenylephrineAlka-Seltzer PLUS, Histex SR, Protid
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, SalicylamideRhinogesic, Rhinogesic JR
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineAlumadrine, Conex, Sinadrin Max Strength, Sinulin
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, OpiumHista-Derfule
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, Opium interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Phenylpropanolamine, Opium interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, PhenyltoloxamineNorel Plus
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, Phenyltoloxamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Phenylpropanolamine, Phenyltoloxamine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, PseudoephedrineAlka-Seltzer PLUS Liquid Gels, Children's Tylenol Cold, Codimal, Comtrex, Extra Strength Tylenol Allergy Sinus, Lorsin +3 more
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, ChlorzoxazoneAcetazone Forte, Extra Strength Tylenol Aches & Strains, Parafon Forte
How Acetaminophen, Chlorzoxazone interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Chlorzoxazone interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorzoxazone, CodeineAcetazone Forte C8, Parafon Forte C8
How Acetaminophen, Chlorzoxazone, Codeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Chlorzoxazone, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, CodeineTylenol No.3, Tylenol w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Codeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Codeine, DoxylamineMersyndol
How Acetaminophen, Codeine, Doxylamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Codeine, Doxylamine interactionAcetaminophen, Codeine, MethocarbamolAcetaminophen, Codeine, Methocarbamol, Robaxacet 8
How Acetaminophen, Codeine, Methocarbamol interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Codeine, Methocarbamol interactionAcetaminophen, Dexbrompheniramine, PseudoephedrineSinadrin Plus
How Acetaminophen, Dexbrompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dexbrompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, DextromethorphanTylenol Cough Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dextromethorphan interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, PseudoephedrineVicks NyQuil
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, PhenylephrineConar-A
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, PhenylpropanolamineAnatuss
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, PseudoephedrineRobitussin Cold, Severe Cold, Suphedrine Cold/Cough
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, PyrilamineTheracaps
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, PseudoephedrineAlka-Seltzer PLUS Flu Liquid Gels, Non Aspirin Cold Caps, Tylenol Cold, Tylenol Flu Daytime Ex Strength, Tylenol Flu Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Dichloralantipyrine, IsomethepteneAmidrine, Midchlor, Migquin, Migratine
How Acetaminophen, Dichloralantipyrine, Isometheptene interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dichloralantipyrine, Isometheptene interactionAcetaminophen, Dichloralphenazone, IsomethepteneMidrin
How Acetaminophen, Dichloralphenazone, Isometheptene interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dichloralphenazone, Isometheptene interactionAcetaminophen, Dichlorophenazone, IsometheptaneIsocom
How Acetaminophen, Dichlorophenazone, Isometheptane interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Dichlorophenazone, Isometheptane interactionAcetaminophen, DiphenhydramineTylenol PM, Tylenol PM Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Diphenhydramine interactionAcetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, PseudoephedrineChildren's Tylenol Allergy, Cold Control, Contac Night Allergy Relief
How Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Diphenhydramine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Doxylamine, PseudoephedrineEx Strength Tylenol Sinus Nighttime
How Acetaminophen, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, HydrocodoneAnexsia, Anodynos DHC, Azdone, Co-Gesic, Doucet, Lorcet +9 more
How Acetaminophen, Hydrocodone interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Hydrocodone interactionAcetaminophen, IbuprofenCombogesic
How Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Ibuprofen interactionAcetaminophen, MeperidineDemerol APAP
How Acetaminophen, Meperidine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Meperidine interactionAcetaminophen, MethocarbamolRobaxacet
How Acetaminophen, Methocarbamol interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Methocarbamol interactionAcetaminophen, OrphenadrineOrfenagesic
How Acetaminophen, Orphenadrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — 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, Orphenadrine interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Red Yeast Rice 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 Red Yeast Rice, from the product label.
MRM
See all MRM products- Name
- MRM
- Street Address
- 2665 Vista Pacific Dr.
- City
- Oceanside
- State
- CA
- ZipCode
- 92056
- Phone Number
- 1-800-948-6296
- Web Address
- www.mrm-usa.com
Red Yeast Rice by MRM: Common Questions
Does Red Yeast Rice by MRM interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
What is red yeast rice, and why does it interact with so many drugs?
Can I take this if I'm already on a statin for cholesterol?
Is red yeast rice safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Does the quality of red yeast rice vary between products?
What side effects should I watch for?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Red Yeast Rice 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’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'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
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