Red Yeast Rice Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Priority One Nutritional Supplements
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 Priority One Nutritional Supplements 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 Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Red Yeast Rice by Priority One Nutritional Supplements
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Red Yeast Rice by Priority One Nutritional Supplements — 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 Priority One Nutritional Supplements
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 extract, which is a fermented grain product that naturally contains lovastatin, a statin-class drug used to help manage cholesterol. It's the lovastatin in the red yeast rice that gives it its cholesterol-lowering effect — and also why it carries statin-like risks and interactions.
The capsule also contains rice chelate and a vegetarian capsule shell as inactive ingredients.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Red yeast rice is rated possibly effective for HIV/AIDS-related high cholesterol (dyslipidemia) and for reducing the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction). The evidence we have on file suggests a benefit, but the body of research isn't yet conclusive enough to call it definitely effective.
If you're considering this supplement for either of those purposes, talk with your doctor about whether it's right for you and how it stacks up against other options.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Red yeast rice is generally well tolerated, but because it works like a statin drug, it carries similar risks. The most common side effects are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness, flatulence, headache, heartburn, nausea, and muscle pain.
Rare but serious side effects include liver damage and rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown); contaminated red yeast rice can also damage the kidneys. There have also been rare reports of skin rash, hair loss, and nerve tingling or numbness in the extremities.
The safety data advises against using red yeast rice during pregnancy because of its statin-like activity. We don't have enough safety data on breastfeeding to know whether it's safe — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before you take red yeast rice, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on cyclosporine (immunosuppressant), other statins or cholesterol drugs, gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, drugs that can damage your liver, or any medication metabolized through the CYP3A4 enzyme pathway. Red yeast rice's lovastatin content can amplify the effects and risks of these drugs.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
Red yeast rice may help manage cholesterol and reduce heart attack risk if you have HIV/AIDS-related dyslipidemia, but it works like a prescription statin and carries similar risks and many drug interactions. If you take any medication — especially statins, immunosuppressants, or cholesterol drugs — check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it.
Pregnant people should avoid it altogether.
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 24, 2022.
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 | Priority One Nutritional Supplements |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 815354021188 |
| Net contents | 120 Vegetarian Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Oct 24, 2022 |
| DSLD ID | 277409 |
| Product type | Non-nutrient/non-botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years) |
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 Priority One Nutritional Supplements, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Red Yeast Rice Extract | 600 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Rice Chelate, Vegetarian 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 have liver disorder. Research advises that coenzyme Q10 should be supplemented when taking red yeast rice.
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, consult your physician before using this product.
Do not take more than four (4) capsules in a 24 hour period.
Keep out of reach of children.
For professional use only.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Recommendations: Take one (1) capsule two times daily, morning and evening with water and food, or as directed by a physician.
General Statements
Bisphenol-A (BPA) & Phthalate Free
Seals/Symbols
GMP Certified
Brand IP Statement(s)
Priority One Nutritional Supplements Inc since 1988
Formulation
Vegetarian formulation
Contains no preservatives. Non-GMO
FDA Statement of Identity
A Dietary Supplement
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.
Storage
Keep container tightly closed, store in a cool, dry place.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Red Yeast Rice by Priority One Nutritional Supplements 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 Priority One Nutritional Supplements
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.
Red Yeast Rice Extract
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 Extract monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Rice Chelate, Vegetarian Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Red Yeast Rice by Priority One Nutritional Supplements Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Red Yeast Rice by Priority One Nutritional Supplements contains lovastatin, a statin drug, and interacts with a number of medications.
The most serious concern is combining it with cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant), which can raise lovastatin levels dramatically and cause severe muscle breakdown (myopathy and rhabdomyolysis — a life-threatening breakdown of muscle tissue). Altogether, these interactions span 478 individual medications.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Red yeast rice also interacts with other statins (blood cholesterol drugs), hepatotoxic drugs (medications that can damage the liver), and CYP3A4 inhibitors (drugs your liver metabolizes through a particular enzyme pathway). Each of these combinations can increase lovastatin levels or intensify statin-like side effects.
Additionally, gemfibrozil (a different cholesterol drug) and high-dose niacin (a B vitamin) both carry a moderate risk of rhabdomyolysis when paired with red yeast rice.
Before you start this supplement, run your exact medications through the search tool on this page to see if any are affected. If you take a statin, blood thinner, immunosuppressant, or cholesterol medication, talk it over with 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. Red Yeast Rice Extract
6-mercaptopurinePurinethol
How 6-mercaptopurine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + 6-mercaptopurine interactionAbacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq
How Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interactionAbacavir, LamivudineEpzicom
How Abacavir, Lamivudine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Abacavir, Lamivudine interactionAbametapirXeglyze
How Abametapir interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractCytochrome 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 Extract + Abametapir interactionAbiraterone
How Abiraterone interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractCytochrome 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 Extract + Abiraterone interactionAbiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga
How Abiraterone Acetate interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Abiraterone Acetate interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acarbose interactionAcebutololRhotral, Sectral
How Acebutolol interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acebutolol interactionAcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Brompheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineDimetapp Cold and Flu
How Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, ButalbitalAxocet, Bancap, Bucet, Butex Forte, Esgic CF, Orbivan CF +5 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Butalbital interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CaffeineEsgic, Esgic Plus, Fiogesic, Fioricet, Repan, Tecnal +1 more
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, CodeineEsgic with Codeine, Fioricet w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, CodeineBancap w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine PhosphatePhrenilin #3
How Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine Phosphate interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, PhenylephrineHycomine Compound
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + 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 — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + 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 — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Codeine, Salicylamide interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, DihydrocodeineDHC Plus, Panlor DC, Panlor SS
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, IsomethepteneMigralam
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Isometheptene interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Isometheptene interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength Menstrual
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Pyrilamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + 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 — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan Hbr interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, PhenylephrineColrex
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, DextromethorphanCoricidin II Extra Strength Cold and Flu
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan HydrobromideCoricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, PhenylpropanolamineMulti Symptom Cold Relief
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + 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 — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, SalicylamideRhinogesic GG
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interacts with Red Yeast Rice — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Red Yeast Rice ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the risk of liver damage.
Read the full Red Yeast Rice Extract + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide 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.
Red Yeast Rice Extract
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.
Priority One Nutritional Supplements
See all Priority One Nutritional Supplements products- Name
- Priority One Nutritional Supplements, Inc.
- Web Address
- www.priorityonevitamins.com
Red Yeast Rice by Priority One Nutritional Supplements: Common Questions
Does Red Yeast Rice by Priority One Nutritional Supplements interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Does red yeast rice actually lower cholesterol?
What are the most common side effects I might notice?
Is it safe to take during pregnancy?
Can I take it while breastfeeding?
Why does product quality matter so much?
Can I take this with my statin?
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
- 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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