Suggested Dosing
Hypercholesterolemia
1200 mg PO BID
Take with food
Suggested Uses
Diarrhea, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, circulation improvement, indigestion
Efficacy: Possibly effective for hypercholesterolemia
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (7)
- atorvastatin
atorvastatin, red yeast rice. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin).
- fluvastatin
fluvastatin, red yeast rice. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin).
- lovastatin
lovastatin, red yeast rice. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin).
- pitavastatin
pitavastatin, red yeast rice. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin).
- pravastatin
pravastatin, red yeast rice. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin).
- rosuvastatin
rosuvastatin, red yeast rice. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin).
- simvastatin
simvastatin, red yeast rice. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin).
Serious - Use Alternative (22)
- atazanavir
atazanavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- chloramphenicol
chloramphenicol will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- conivaptan
conivaptan will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- cyclosporine
cyclosporine will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- darunavir
darunavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- fosamprenavir
fosamprenavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- indinavir
indinavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- isoniazid
isoniazid will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- itraconazole
itraconazole will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- ketoconazole
ketoconazole will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- levoketoconazole
levoketoconazole will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- lopinavir
lopinavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- metoclopramide
metoclopramide will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- nelfinavir
nelfinavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- nicardipine
nicardipine will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- posaconazole
posaconazole will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- quinidine
quinidine will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- quinupristin/dalfopristin
quinupristin/dalfopristin will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- ritonavir
ritonavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- saquinavir
saquinavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- tipranavir
tipranavir will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- voriconazole
voriconazole will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
Monitor Closely (4)
- grapefruit
grapefruit will increase the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. May increase creatine kinase levels and increase risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis; red yeast rice contains monocolin K (reportedly identical to lovastatin)
- lanthanum carbonate
lanthanum carbonate decreases levels of red yeast rice by cation binding in GI tract. Use Caution/Monitor. Administer red yeast rice at least 2 hr before or 2 hr after lanthanum. Monitor serum concentrations.
- maraviroc
red yeast rice increases levels of maraviroc by P-glycoprotein (MDR1) efflux transporter. Use Caution/Monitor. Potential for increased toxicity. .
- St John's Wort
St John's Wort will decrease the level or effect of red yeast rice by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.
Minor (0)
Adverse Effects
Abdominal discomfort, anaphylaxis (inhalation), dizziness, elevated creatine kinase, elevated liver enzymes, flatulence, gastritis, heartburn
Warnings
Contraindications
Abnormal LFTs, liver dysfunction
Cautions
Concurrent hepatotoxic agents
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: avoid
Lactation: avoid
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of Action
Rice fermented with Monascus purpureus yeast; contains small amounts of naturally-occurring lovastatin (mevinolin)