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Because
there is little information about the safety of red yeast rice when
it is used over an extended period of time, it is best to limit its
use to short term.
People
who are at risk for liver disease, or currently have liver disease,
should not take red yeast rice because, similar to prescription
cholesterol lowering medications, red yeast rice may affect liver
function.
Those
who consume more than two alcoholic beverages per day, have a serious
infection or physical disorder, or have undergone an organ transplant
are also advised to avoid red yeast rice.
Red
yeast rice should not be taken with cholesterol-lowering (statin)
medications known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (such as
atorvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin,
cerivastatin), because it may enhance the effect of these
medications, thereby increasing the risk of liver damage. |
