Side Effects of Red Yeast Rice

The yeast mold 'monascus purpureus', when cultivated on the normal white rice, gives the product named, red yeast rice. Its rich, purple-red color, makes it a popular ingredient of the traditional East Asian wines, cookies and pastries. It was traditionally used as a herbal medicine in China. Traces of the usage of red yeast rice could be found from the period of the Tang Dynasty, which ruled around 800 AD. It was mainly used as a remedy to remove blood blockages and to strengthen the digestive system. Its strain, named 'Went', contains an ample amounts of HMG-CoA reductase. It is the substance of lovastatin (mevinolin), which naturally turns into 'statin'. Red yeast rice is popularly used to reduce the levels of total body cholesterol and bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein/LDL). Researches also show that, it helps in reducing the levels of triglyceride.

Red yeast rice barricades the production of the cholesterol-producing liver enzymes. Brands like Solaray, doctor's Best, Nature's Plus, etc. are some of the brands that produce red yeast rice supplements in various forms like tablets, pastes, tinctures, teas, capsules and other topical forms. Generally, the suggested dose of supplement is 15 to 50 grams per day. It is true that the red yeast rice does work in miraculous ways when taken in the prescribed amounts. But, combining it with other medicines or drugs containing statin and mevinolin, may result into minor to severe side effects.

Minor Side Effects

• Headaches
• Dizziness and weakness
• Indigestion and heartburn
• Bloating and gas trouble
• Muscle and joint pain
• Liver inflammation
• Stomach pain

The side effects that can be seen immediately after consuming red yeast rice supplements, should never be ignored. Remember that the contents of red yeast rice and that of its supplements differ a lot. Along with the defining chemicals, red yeast rice contains protein, starch, fibers, fatty acids and sterols, which supplements may lack. Hence, it becomes extremely important to consult your family doctor before consuming them.

Major Side Effects

• Myopathy - one suffers from muscle pain, increase in the levels of creatine kinase, weakness and dizziness, etc.
• Rhabdomyolysis - a severe breakdown of a muscle tissue that can lead to kidney failure. Symptoms like muscle pain, joint pain, tenderness, etc. occurs rarely, but must not be ignored.
• There could be some side effects of the statin drug that this rice contains. Research suggests that the statin affects the production of a mitochondria substance - CoQ10. Elders, diabetic patients, or heart patients are more likely to suffer from these side effects.
• Allergies like difficulty in breathing or swallowing, hives, swelling of hands, tongue, throat, lips and even face, wheezing, itching, etc. can also be seen.
• Liver damage symptoms include jaundice, dark urine, increased amount of liver enzymes, etc.

Reactions with Other Drugs

• Combined with anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin), antiplatelet drugs (clopidogrel), and anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ibuprofen), it increases the risk of bleeding.
• Combined with antibiotics like ranitidine and cyclosporine, it increases the chances of muscle breakdown.
• Red yeast rice can produce GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) and leave addictive effects, when combined with drugs like neurontin.
• It also effects adversely when combined with thyroid and high blood pressure medications, niacin and digoxin.

Reactions with Dietary Supplements

• Grape juice, milk thistle and vitamin A may react with red yeast supplements.
• When combined with ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto, garlic, etc. it may raise the chances of bleeding.

Red yeast rice supplements may help in reducing the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, but if taken without proper consultation with the physician, it can lead to severe side effects. So, why invite trouble by taking such shortcuts?