Red Yeast Rice Information

Even though red yeast rice is an effective supplement that is used to treat high cholesterol, it is very important to note that it can react adversely to other medications.

Drug interactions with red yeast rice can be very serious and it is important that people are aware of what they are taking.

A List of the different drugs that red yeast rice can react with are listed below.

Antifungal Drugs – Drugs that are antifungal agents such as azole antifungals fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral) are all known to interact with red yeast rice and statins. The interactions can often lead to a possibility of having rhabdomyolysis.

Cyclosporine – Cyclosporine is one drug that should not be mixed or taken while using the supplement red yeast rice. The reason for this is that the condition rhabdomyolysis can occur, due to blood levels increasing when both red yeast rice and cyclosporine are taken together.

Fibrate Drugs – Certain fibrate drugs are often used to reduce the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. Using them together with red yeast rice can often enhance the medications effects. Fibrates to stay away from are clofibrate (Atromid-S), fenofibrate (Lofibra ,Tricor, Triglide) and gemfibrozil (Lopid)

Niacin – Myopathy is possible when Niacin is taken with red yeast rice supplements.

Macrolide Antibiotics – Macrolides are a specific class of drugs that are often used to treat infection problems that affect the soft tissue and respiratory tract. They have been known to have a negative interaction with statin drugs and red yeast rice. The interaction can increase the overall risk of rhabdomyolysis. These marcolide drugs include clarithromycin (Biaxin), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin, azithromycin (Zithromax) and roxithromycin (Rulid, Surlid)

Nefazodone – Nefazadone is a drug that is used to treat a medical condition depression. The risk of side effects of rate yeast rice can be increased if it is mixed with this drug.

Protease Inhibitors – Myopathy is possible if red yeast rice is mixed with drugs that are used to control the HIV virus. These drugs include amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir

Statin Drugs – Statin drugs that are used to reduce cholesterol should not be taken if you are using the red yeast rice supplement. The reason why this should not be done is that the effects of these medications increase in this can lead to more an increase in the side effects, such as liver damage. Statins to stay away from are atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol)

Red-yeast rice is a very effective and popular supplement that is able to reduce cholesterol. Even after it was restricted by the FDA, the supplement is still widely available.  The FDA banned the supplement because it contained an ingredient, lovastatin, which can also be found in statin drugs such as Mevacor and Altoprev. Because these are prescription medication, and lovastatin and restriced drug, the FDA banned the products. Safety was also another concern as tests have shown that red yeast rice products often vary in the levels of lovastatin that they provide. This can be very dangerous as there was no set guideline and it could be harmful.

Despite these concerns, there have been many studies that have shown the effectiveness of red yeast rice in relation to improving levels of cholesterol. In these studies they were able to determine that death from coronary disease fell and there was also a reduction in the amount of men who needed surgery.

The safety concerns for this supplement, or because there is no way to know the dosage is effective and safe. There are varying levels of lovastatin in products tested and some were shown to be ineffective, while others had risks associated with its use. These risks related to tenderness, weakness, muscle pain and possible damage to the liver and kidney.
There was one particular study that looked at some of the release rise products and it showed that there was a possibility that a toxin called citrinin that could damage the kidney was contained in the product.

For safety reasons it is not advisable to you this red yeast rice from un-trusted sources. It is best to go with a doctor recommended treatment as these are more regulated.

Despite the potential benefits that are associated with the use of red yeast rice, there are some things that need to be known about the product.

What to Do Before Taking Red Yeast Rice

It is very important that before taking red yeast rice supplements that you consult with a doctor. The doctor will be able to advise you about the product and how it can affect your condition and your health.

The doctor should also tell you about the risks, especially if you have specific medical conditions. People who have kidney disease, asthma, drink alcohol on a regular basis and pregnant should all not use red yeast rice. The danger of this product is increased if you suffer from the above mentioned conditions.

If you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant then the red yeast rice should be avoided. There is no research that shows how the product can affect an unborn child and if you are breast-feeding.

People should be aware that if they take red yeast rice, it can result in a condition that causes the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. When this occurs, it can cause kidney failure.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as muscle tenderness, muscle pain, fever, weakness and dark urine, then you should consult a doctor immediately.

 

Red Yeast Rice Important Information

 

People should be aware that the FDA has not approved red yeast rice for the treatment for any medical conditions. For that reason it should not be substituted for medications that are prescribed by doctors.

The FDA has not tested red yeast rice for effectiveness and safety when it comes to the treatment of medical conditions. As a result of this the potential risks might not be known. Certain red yeast rice products that are available on the market have been shown to contain toxic metals. To reduce the risk of contamination it is always good to purchase the product from a reputable source.

For people who are taking red yeast rice and enjoy grapefruit or grapefruit juice they should be very careful. Grapefruit can enhance the effects of statin and can enhance blood concentration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors by as much as 15 times, and this can drastically increase the risk of side effects and liver damage. Because red yeast rice may act similarly in the body to statins, you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit or marmalade while taking red yeast rice.

You should take the time to discuss with your doctor is the use of grapefruit products with red yeast rice. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

What is Guggul?

Guggul is a small thorny plant that is grown throughout India. The resin from the plant has been used for centuries because of its medicinal value. It is known that guggul is used to treat a wide range of conditions from obesity to rheumatism. Guggul is currently popular for its use in reduced and lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

 

What is Red Yeast Rice?

Red yeast rice is the product of yeast, Monascus purpureus that is grown on rice. The product contains many compounds called monacolins and these compounds have been known to inhibit cholesterol. Red yeast rice extract has been sold and used as a natural method at reducing  cholesterol.

 

Guggul and Red Yeast Rice

 

Guggul Red yeast rice is the combination of the two products and making them one. This combination results in an effective and potent supplement that is effective at lowering cholesterol.

The natural ingredients contained in both red yeast rice and guggul are very effective at reducing cholesterol. The same cholesterol fighting ingredients are found in some of the more popular mainstream cholesterol medicines.

High cholesterol is one of the biggest threats to your heart. When excess amounts of this waxy, fat-like substance build up along the walls of the arteries there is an increased chance that you might have a stroke or heart attack. If you want to reduce your cholesterol, then the guggul and red yeast rice is the product for you.

 

 

Directions  for Red Yeast Rice & Guggul

 

Two capsules should be taken 1-2 times day after you have had your meal. You should not take this product if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. It should not be used by individuals who are under 30. If you plan on taking guggul and red yeast rice, you should consult with your health practitioner before you do. If you are taking any medication for cholesterol then you should consult with your doctor.

 

General Red Yeast Rice Ingredients

Magnesium Oxide, Gelatin Capsule, Starch, Magnesium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Stearate, Cellulose and Silica

 

I think it is much better than using drugs that damage your liver and cause sever aches and pains through the muscles in your body. This product has no side effects. When he stopped using this product for awhile his cholesterol went back up. There is no quick fixes out there for anything, so if you really want cholesterol to go down, stay on a heathy diet of lots of veggies and alot less meat.