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We recently updated our fact sheet on red yeast rice, a dietary supplement that people sometimes use to try to lower their cholesterol levels.
Red yeast rice contains varying amounts of a substance called monacolin K, which is chemically identical to the cholesterol-lowering medicine lovastatin. Some red yeast rice products contain enhanced or added amounts of this substance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers these products to be unapproved new drugs; they cannot be sold legally as dietary supplements.
There are safety concerns about red yeast rice products. Those products that contain substantial amounts of monacolin K can have the same side effects as statin drugs. Also, some products contain a harmful contaminant called citrinin. Talk with your health care provider if you’re considering a red yeast rice dietary supplement.
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