Red Yeast Rice Capsules

What is this medication?

RED YEAST RICE (red yeest rahys) may support healthy cholesterol levels. The FDA has not evaluated this supplement for any medical use. It may contain ingredients not listed. Discuss all supplements you are taking with your care team. They can provide you with important safety information.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Red Yeast Rice

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Frequently drink alcohol
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Muscle aches or weakness
• Other medical condition
• An unusual or allergic reaction to red yeast rice, went yeast, lovastatin, other 'statin' medications, other supplements, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this supplement by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the package labeling, or take as directed by your care team. Do not take this supplement more often than directed.

Contact your care team about the use of this supplement in children. Special care may be needed. This supplement is not recommended for use in children.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Clarithromycin
• Delavirdine
• Erythromycin
• Grapefruit juice
• Protease inhibitors used to treat HIV infection
• Medications for fungal infections, such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole
• Mibefradil
• Nefazodone
• Other medications for high cholesterol
• Telithromycin
• Troleandomycin

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Amiodarone
• Colchicine
• Cyclosporine
• Danazol
• Diltiazem
• Fenofibrate
• Fluconazole
• Gemfibrozil
• Mifepristone, RU-486
• Niacin
• St. John's Wort
• Verapamil
• Voriconazole
• Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular check-ups. You may need regular tests to make sure your liver is working properly.

Tell you care team right away if you get any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and tiredness.

Some medications may increase the risk of side effects from this supplement. If you are given certain antibiotics or antifungals, you should stop taking this supplement during those treatments. Check with your care team or pharmacist for advice.

If you are scheduled for any medical or dental procedure, tell your care team that you are taking this supplement. You may need to stop taking this supplement before the procedure.

Do not use this supplement if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Serious side effects to an unborn child or to an infant are possible. Talk to your care team or pharmacist for more information.

Herbal or dietary supplements are not regulated like medications. Rigid quality control standards are not required for dietary supplements. The purity and strength of these products can vary. The safety and effect of this dietary supplement for a certain disease or illness is not well known. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests the following to help consumers protect themselves:

• Always read product labels and follow directions.
• Natural does not mean a product is safe for humans to take.
• Look for products that include USP after the ingredient name. This means that the manufacturer followed the standards of the US Pharmacopoeia.
• Supplements made or sold by a nationally known food or drug company are more likely to be made under tight controls. You can write to the company for more information about how the product was made.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Muscle injury—unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decrease in amount of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Dizziness
• Gas
• Headache
• Heartburn

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Get rid of any unused supplement after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.