What is the most important information I should know about red yeast rice?
Red yeast rice has not been approved by the
FDA to treat any disease, and it should
not be substituted for prescription medications.
Red yeast rice has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All
potential risks and/or advantages of red yeast rice may not be known. Additionally, there are no
regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. Some marketed herbal
supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health
supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Some cholesterol-lowering medications can cause a condition that results in the
breakdown of
skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to
kidney failure. Call a doctor at
once if you have unexplained
muscle pain or tenderness,
muscle weakness, fever or flu
symptoms, and dark colored urine.
Avoid
drinking alcohol while using red yeast rice. Alcohol may increase your risk of
liver damage.
What is red yeast rice?
Red yeast rice is a product of yeast that is grown on rice. It is marketed as Cholestin,
Monascus, Zhi Tai, hong qu, red koji, red rice, Xue Zhi Kang, and others.
Red yeast rice has been used with diet, exercise, and medical care to lower cholesterol and
triglyceride levels. It may reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL)
and triglycerides in the blood, and may also increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density
lipoprotein, or HDL).
Red yeast rice has not been approved by the FDA to treat any disease, and it should
not be substituted for prescription medications.
Red yeast rice has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All
potential risks and/or advantages of red yeast rice may not be known. Additionally, there are no
regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. Some marketed herbal
supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health
supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Red yeast rice may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking red yeast rice?
Do not take red yeast rice if you are allergic to it, or if you have a history of
liver
disease.
Before taking red yeast rice, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare
provider. You may not be able to use this product if you have:
-
asthma;
-
kidney disease;
-
a serious infection, disease, or medical condition;
-
if you are pregnant;
-
if you have recently had surgery or an organ transplant; or
-
if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day.
If you have any of these conditions, it may be dangerous for you to use
red yeast rice.
Some cholesterol-lowering medications can cause a condition that results in the
breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call a doctor at
once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu
symptoms, and dark colored urine.
Do not take red yeast rice without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Red yeast rice may be harmful to an
unborn baby.
It is not known whether red yeast rice passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this product without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor.
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