Red yeast rice

Red yeast rice is the product of fermenting rice with the red yeast Monascus purpureus. It has been used in China since ancient times as a food coloring and flavoring and in traditional Chinese medicine. It is used as a dietary supplement in hyperlipidemia. It contains varying amounts of statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors), such as lovastatin or monacolin K, which reduce cholesterol levels. Oral administration.

At the time of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

For all the discussion on its compatibility with lactation, it is necessary to refer to what is indicated in lovastatin, since its effects are similar. ^{(Chen 2015)}

There is a risk of adverse effects (muscle pain, rhabdomyolysis, increased CPK, hepatoxicity) as with the other statins ^{(Mazzanti 2017)}. It is necessary to know the amount of monacolin K or lovastatin contained in each commercial supplement and not to exceed the prescribed doses ^{(European Commission 2012)}. The concentration of lovastatin in the supplements sold of this product should be standardized ^{(MurciaSalud 2015, Nigović 2013)}. If there is a deficient fermentation a mycotoxin, citrin, may appear (Steffen 2017), but it has not been found in marketed dietary red yeast rice products. ^{(Twarużek 2021)}

See below the information of this related product:

• Lovastatin (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)