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When
grapefruit or grapefruit juice is taken with HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin,
lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin, they enhance the effects of
the medications and cause a significant increase in blood levels of
these synthetic drugs, leading to a greater chance of side effects
and liver damage. Because red yeast rice appears to act in much the
same way as these cholesterol-lowering drugs, it would be wise to
avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit or grapefruit
products such as marmalade while taking 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.
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