Red Yeast Rice Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Herbadiet
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Red Yeast Rice Extract 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 is a dietary supplement by Herbadiet 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 by Herbadiet
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Red Yeast Rice Extract by Herbadiet — 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 by Herbadiet
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 is red yeast rice extract — a single active ingredient made by fermenting rice with a specific yeast. Red yeast rice naturally contains lovastatin, the same compound found in prescription statin drugs used to lower cholesterol.
Because lovastatin levels vary between batches, the strength of any red yeast rice supplement is unpredictable. The capsule shell is made from vegetable cellulose, an inactive ingredient.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Red yeast rice is rated possibly effective for lowering cholesterol in people with HIV/AIDS-related dyslipidemia and possibly effective for reducing the risk of heart attack. Those ratings reflect the evidence we hold; they're not guarantees of benefit in any one person.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Red yeast rice is generally well tolerated, but it acts like a statin and carries statin-like risks. The most common side effects are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness, flatulence, headache, heartburn, nausea, and muscle pain.
Rarely, people have reported liver damage or severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), especially when red yeast rice is combined with certain other drugs. Two cases of hair loss and one case of nerve damage in the limbs have also been reported.
Contaminated batches can cause kidney damage. Red yeast rice is not safe during pregnancy because of its statin-like effects.
There isn't enough safety data to know whether it's okay during breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about this if you're nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking red yeast rice, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on cyclosporine, other statins, gemfibrozil, high-dose niacin, or any drug that inhibits the liver enzyme CYP3A4 (such as certain antifungals, antibiotics, or antivirals) — all of these carry a serious risk of muscle injury or liver damage when combined with red yeast rice.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
Red yeast rice may help lower cholesterol and reduce heart attack risk, but it works like a prescription statin and interacts with a lot of medications — including other statins, some cholesterol drugs, and certain immune and kidney transplant medicines. The lovastatin content varies unpredictably from batch to batch, so you're not always getting the same dose.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this supplement, especially if you take any prescription medications or have liver or muscle concerns.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 22, 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 Extract, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Herbadiet |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 880503802857 |
| Net contents | 60 V-Cap(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jan 22, 2022 |
| DSLD ID | 258121 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegan, Vegetarian, 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 Extract by Herbadiet, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Red Yeast Rice Extract | 800 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose Shell
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.
Formula
Herbadiet Red Yeast Rice is a high potency standardized extract. This full spectrum extract blend retains all the active constituents in nature intended balanced ratio. Encapsulating this goodness in our quick release, easy to swallow vegan capsules, guarantees you a premium quality nutritional supplement.
Formulation
Supports cardiovascular health Supports liver health & detox Supports healthy blood circulation
Natural color variation may occur in this product
100% natural Immune system support
Non-GMO
Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
Free Of preservatives, binders, gluten, artificial ingredients, dairy, soy, wheat, yeast
Every batch 3rd party lab tested
FDA Disclaimer Statement
These statements have not been evaluated by FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Precautions
Do not use if seal under the cap is broken or missing. Dietary supplement shouldn't be used as a substitute for a varied diet
Caution: If you are pregnant, breast feeding, or taking medications, consult your doctor before use.
Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.
Keep out of reach of children.
Not for medicinal use
Storage
Store in cool, dry place
Seals/Symbols
fssai Lic. No.: 20817018000147 Vcaps Plus GMP Good Manufacturing Practice Quality Product
General Statements
1% for the planet
License Number: 10018064001315
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions for Use: Take 2 capsules twice a day, preferably with meals or as directed by your physician.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Red Yeast Rice Extract by Herbadiet 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 by Herbadiet
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.
Red Yeast Rice 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: Vegetable Cellulose Shell. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Red Yeast Rice Extract by Herbadiet Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Herbadiet Red Yeast Rice Extract contains lovastatin, a statin drug, and it interacts with a substantial number of medications.
The most serious concern is with cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant), which can raise lovastatin levels dramatically — by 5- to 20-fold — and cause muscle breakdown (myopathy) and a severe condition called rhabdomyolysis.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
You'll also want to avoid combining this with other statins, gemfibrozil (a cholesterol drug), high-dose niacin, and any medication that inhibits a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. All of these raise lovastatin levels or increase the risk of muscle injury or liver damage.
Additionally, taking red yeast rice alongside drugs that are hard on the liver may further stress that organ.
Altogether, these interactions span 478 individual medications. Because the lovastatin content varies from batch to batch, your actual risk depends partly on which product you get.
Before you start red yeast rice, use the checker below to look up your exact medications — this is one supplement that really needs a careful review.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Red Yeast Rice Extract?
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 interact with 477 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Red Yeast Rice Extract 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 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, from the product label.
Herbadiet
See all Herbadiet products- Name
- Arkure Health Care
- City
- Haryana
- State
- India
- Web Address
- www.herbadiet.in
Red Yeast Rice Extract by Herbadiet: Common Questions
Does Red Yeast Rice Extract by Herbadiet interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Will red yeast rice actually lower my cholesterol?
Is it safe to take during pregnancy?
What are the most common side effects?
Why does the lovastatin content vary?
Can I take this with my other cholesterol medication?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Red Yeast Rice Extract 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’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'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
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