Red Yeast Rice

Best for

Lower bad and total cholesterol

Likely benefit for 4–14 weeks · 9 meta-analyses , n=22.7k

13 papers · 2 claims · 18 outcomes scored · 2 positive

Outcomes

What red yeast rice actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect size Evidence Dose Weeks Rank

Lower bad and total cholesterol Likely benefit

Cuts the cholesterol that builds into artery plaque over time.

12 meta-analyses n=23k 0.67–4800 mg 4–14 wk #1/103

17302963·24897342·25897793·26966368 +8 more

moderate

12 meta-analyses n=23k Meta-analyzed I²=95%

0.67–4800 mg

4–14 wk

#1 /103

Raise good cholesterol levels Likely modest benefit

Boosts the cholesterol that pulls fat out of artery walls.

10 meta-analyses n=22k 5–4800 mg 4–13 wk #3/71

17302963·24897342·25897793·26966368 +6 more

small

10 meta-analyses n=22k Meta-analyzed I²=95%

5–4800 mg

4–13 wk

#3 /71

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Dose	Weeks	Rank
Lower bad and total cholesterol Likely benefit	moderate	12 meta-analyses n=23k Meta-analyzed	0.67–4800 mg	4–14 wk	#1/103
Raise good cholesterol levels Likely modest benefit	small	10 meta-analyses n=22k Meta-analyzed	5–4800 mg	4–13 wk	#3/71

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

Muscle ache severe

hepatotoxicity severe

Creatine kinase (CK) increased mild

headache mild

flatulence mild

muscle pain (myalgia) mild

muscle weakness mild

gastrointestinal upset / dyspepsia mild

Drug interactions

other major additive

Drug:Clarithromycin major increases concentration

Drug:Itraconazole major increases concentration

Drug:Verapamil major increases concentration

Drug:Aprepitant major increases concentration

Drug:Amiodarone major increases concentration

Drug:Ritonavir major increases concentration

Cyclosporine major increases concentration

Gemfibrozil major increases concentration

Delavirdine major increases concentration

Co-studied with

Supplements that share evidence with red yeast rice

Phytosterols 19 shared outcomes · d=1.17
Niacin 19 shared outcomes · d=1.17
Policosanol 19 shared outcomes · d=1.17

Sources

Generated August 14, 2026

Red Yeast Rice

What red yeast rice actually does, by outcome

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Supplements that share evidence with red yeast rice

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