Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by SuperSmart
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 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 Extract 300 mg is a dietary supplement by SuperSmart 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 Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart — 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 Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart
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, a fermented rice product that naturally contains lovastatin, the same compound found in statin medications used to manage cholesterol. The 300 mg dose is the amount of extract per capsule.
The only other ingredient listed is acacia gum, an inactive binder.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Red yeast rice extract is rated possibly effective for helping manage cholesterol in people with HIV/AIDS-related dyslipidemia and for lowering the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction). Beyond those uses, the evidence we hold doesn't establish effectiveness for other purposes.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Red yeast rice is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though a small number of people report abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness, flatulence, headache, heartburn, nausea, or muscle pain. Rarely, reports include liver damage (hepatotoxicity) or severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), likely tied to its lovastatin content, and a small number of cases of rash, itching, hair loss, and nerve tingling have been reported.
Contaminated batches carry a risk of kidney damage. Because red yeast rice works like a statin, the safety data advises against it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, double-check with your pharmacist if you take cyclosporine (used after transplants), other statins for cholesterol, gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, any hepatotoxic medications, or any drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme — all carry moderate risk of serious effects including muscle damage, liver stress, or raised drug levels.
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 might appeal to someone looking for a natural approach to cholesterol or heart-attack prevention in HIV-related dyslipidemia. But it carries statin-like risks — especially with certain medications — and product quality varies.
If you take any prescription drug, talk to your pharmacist before adding this supplement. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use it.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 22, 2024.
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 Extract 300 mg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | SuperSmart |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 5453003825623 |
| Net contents | 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Aug 22, 2024 |
| DSLD ID | 315622 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | 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 Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
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.
Formulation
Cardiovascular health
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Formula
Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg Per Day
Each capsule contains 150 mg of red yeast rice extract.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Recommended use: Adults. Take one capsule with each of your two main meals.
Precautions
Precautions: Consult your therapist before taking red yeast rice extract if you suffer from liver disease (it can cause a slight increase in liver enzymes). Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. This product is a nutritional supplement and should not replace a varied, balanced diet.
Keep out of childrens' reach.
As with any nutritional supplement, you should consult a health professional before taking this product if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a health problem.
Storage
Store away from direct light, heat and humidity.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart 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 Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 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: Acacia Gum. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart contains lovastatin, a statin drug, which creates several documented interactions with other medications.
The most serious concern is with cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant used after transplants), which can raise lovastatin levels five- to twentyfold and create a risk of muscle breakdown (myopathy) and severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis).
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Other medications pose moderate risks: taking it with other statins might push lovastatin levels too high; combining it with gemfibrozil (a cholesterol drug) or high-dose niacin increases rhabdomyolysis risk; and drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme — which your liver uses to clear lovastatin — can raise lovastatin levels in your bloodstream. Red yeast rice may also stress your liver if you're taking hepatotoxic drugs (ones that can damage liver cells).
Altogether, these interactions span 459 individual medications. Run your exact prescriptions through the medication checker on this page before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 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 Extract 300 mg interact with 477 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 mg — 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 Extract 300 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 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 Extract 300 mg, from the product label.
SuperSmart
See all SuperSmart products- Name
- SN Worldwide Unipessoal, LDA
- Street Address
- Avenida Do Infante 66 Edificio Quinta Avenida 1 C
- City
- Funchal
- ZipCode
- 9000-015
Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart: Common Questions
Does Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 mg by SuperSmart 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 extract?
Can I take this if I'm already on a statin?
Is red yeast rice safe during pregnancy?
What are the most common side effects?
Does red yeast rice actually lower cholesterol?
Why does product quality matter?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Red Yeast Rice Extract 300 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 Extract 300 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 Extract 300 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
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