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Red yeast rice is a supplement that is claimed to help lower cholesterol when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. However, it is not approved by the FDA for medical use. Several side effects have been reported, including liver damage and muscle pain. In this article, we will explore the potential link between red yeast rice consumption and muscle pain, examining various studies and reports to understand the risks associated with this supplement. We will also discuss the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before taking red yeast rice or any other dietary supplement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle Pain | Red yeast rice may cause muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, fatigue, spasms, stiffness, myalgia, myopathy, pain in an extremity, and rhabdomyolysis. |
| Liver Problems | Red yeast rice may cause liver damage, including increased liver enzyme levels, acute hepatitis, transaminase elevations, and abnormal liver function. |
| Drug Interactions | Red yeast rice may increase the risk of muscle problems when taken with certain antibiotics, antifungals, cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, or niacin. |
| Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Red yeast rice is likely unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. There is insufficient information about its safety during breastfeeding. |
| Children | Red yeast rice supplements are not recommended for use in children. |
| Overdosage | If you suspect an overdose of red yeast rice, contact a poison control center or seek emergency medical attention immediately. |
| FDA Approval | Red yeast rice is not approved by the FDA for medical use and may contain undisclosed ingredients. |
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What You'll Learn
Red yeast rice and muscle injury
Red yeast rice is a supplement that is claimed to help lower cholesterol when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. It is not approved by the FDA for medical use and should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, a chemical with the same structure and activity as the prescription drug lovastatin. Lovastatin is known to cause side effects such as liver damage, severe muscle pain, and muscle damage. As red yeast rice contains this chemical, it might cause similar side effects, including muscle injury.
Muscle injury symptoms may include unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, and a decrease in the amount of urine. The CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) database has identified several muscular adverse events in people taking red yeast rice, including muscle disorders, muscle fatigue, muscle spasms, muscle tightness, muscle weakness, musculoskeletal chest pain, and myalgia.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has warned about the safety of red yeast rice as a food supplement, even at low doses of monacolin (3 mg/day). However, meta-analyses of randomised clinical trials of red yeast rice have shown a neutral effect on muscle dysfunction. While the frequency of muscle symptoms attributed to red yeast rice ingestion is low, it is important to consult a healthcare provider if you experience any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.
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Muscle pain and weakness
Red yeast rice is a supplement that is claimed to help lower cholesterol in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. However, it is not approved by the FDA for medical use.
There have been reports of muscular and hepatic adverse events in people taking red yeast rice. These include muscle disorders, muscle fatigue, muscle spasms, muscle tightness, muscle weakness, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal discomfort, musculoskeletal pain, musculoskeletal stiffness, myalgia, myopathy, pain in an extremity, and rhabdomyolysis. The most common adverse events were myalgia and muscle spasms.
Red yeast rice contains a chemical that is the same as the prescription drug lovastatin. Because of this, it might cause the same side effects as this drug, including liver damage, severe muscle pain, and muscle damage. It is important to note that red yeast rice products that are fermented incorrectly may be contaminated with a toxin called citrinin, which has been linked to kidney damage.
If you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by fever and tiredness, it is important to consult your healthcare provider right away. Some medications may increase the risk of side effects from this supplement. It is also important to note that red yeast rice is not recommended for use in children and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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Muscle pain and fever
Red yeast rice is a supplement that is claimed to help lower cholesterol when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. However, it is not approved by the FDA for medical use and may contain ingredients that are not listed. Some of the side effects of red yeast rice include muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, and fever. It is important to note that red yeast rice contains a chemical that is the same as the prescription drug lovastatin, which is known to cause liver damage and muscle damage, including severe muscle pain.
According to the CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) database, muscle adverse events associated with red yeast rice include muscle disorders, muscle fatigue, muscle spasms, muscle tightness, muscle weakness, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal discomfort, musculoskeletal pain, musculoskeletal stiffness, myalgia, myopathy, pain in an extremity, and rhabdomyolysis. The most common adverse events were myalgia and muscle spasms.
It is recommended that individuals taking red yeast rice supplements report any unexplained muscle pain, especially if accompanied by fever and tiredness, to their healthcare provider immediately. Additionally, individuals taking certain antibiotics or antifungals should refrain from using this supplement during those treatments. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised against consuming red yeast rice as it may cause serious side effects to the unborn child or infant.
While red yeast rice has been used by adults in doses of 600 mg twice daily for up to 4.5 years, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dose for specific conditions. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved the use of monacolins, which are present in red yeast rice, at doses of less than 3 mg/day. However, they also raised concerns about the safety of red yeast rice as a food supplement due to the presence of these monacolins.
In summary, red yeast rice can potentially cause muscle pain and fever, and it is important to be vigilant about any unusual symptoms while consuming this supplement. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any supplements, especially if you have existing medical conditions or are taking other medications.
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Muscle pain and medication
Red yeast rice is a supplement that is claimed to help lower cholesterol when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. It is not approved by the FDA for medical use. The supplement contains a chemical that is the same as the prescription drug lovastatin, which can cause side effects such as liver damage, severe muscle pain, and muscle damage.
Muscle pain is a known side effect of red yeast rice, with some sources reporting it as one of the most common adverse events. Other muscular side effects include muscle fatigue, muscle spasms, muscle tightness, muscle weakness, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal discomfort, musculoskeletal stiffness, myalgia, myopathy, pain in an extremity, and rhabdomyolysis.
If you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever and tiredness, it is important to contact your healthcare provider right away. They can provide advice and guidance on managing any muscle pain related to red yeast rice or other medications. It is also important to discuss all supplements you are taking with your healthcare provider to ensure safe and effective use.
In addition to muscle pain, red yeast rice may also cause liver injury, which can manifest as upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual weakness, or fatigue. It is important to be aware of these potential side effects and seek medical advice if any symptoms occur.
While red yeast rice has been used by adults in doses of 600 mg twice daily for up to 4.5 years, it is not recommended for everyone. It is likely unsafe for pregnant women, as it has caused birth defects in animals. It should also be used cautiously or avoided by individuals with liver problems, as it may increase the risk of liver damage. Additionally, red yeast rice can interact with certain medications, such as cyclosporine and gemfibrozil, increasing the risk of muscle problems.
It is always advisable to speak with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications. They can provide personalized advice and help you weigh the potential benefits against the risks of experiencing side effects such as muscle pain.
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Muscle pain and myopathy
Red yeast rice is a supplement that claims to help lower cholesterol when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. However, it is not approved by the FDA for medical use. The supplement contains varying amounts of the chemical monacolin K, which is the same as the prescription drug lovastatin. Some red yeast rice products may contain high amounts of monacolin K, leading to more severe side effects.
One of the possible side effects of taking red yeast rice is muscle injury, which can manifest as unusual weakness or fatigue, severe muscle pain, muscle tenderness, muscle damage, muscle spasms, muscle tightness, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal discomfort, musculoskeletal pain, musculoskeletal stiffness, myalgia, myopathy, pain in an extremity, and rhabdomyolysis. The most common muscular adverse events are myalgia and muscle spasms.
In a study of muscular and hepatic adverse events reported in the CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) database, red yeast rice ingestion accounted for 0.008% of all musculoskeletal disorder cases and 0.01% of hepatobiliary disorder cases. A low rate of muscle symptoms attributed to red yeast rice ingestion was observed in the CAERS database, with only 34 cases of adverse muscle events reporting red yeast rice as the suspect product.
It is important to note that red yeast rice might increase the risk of muscle problems when taken alongside certain medications such as cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, and niacin. Additionally, a previous statin intolerance is a critical point to consider when using red yeast rice, as statins are known to have potential adverse effects on muscles. If you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking red yeast rice, especially if accompanied by fever and tiredness, consult your healthcare provider immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Red yeast rice contains a chemical that is the same as the prescription drug lovastatin, which can cause liver damage, severe muscle pain, and muscle damage. Other side effects include muscle weakness, fatigue, dark yellow or brown urine, and a decrease in the amount of urine.
If you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by fever and tiredness, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
While muscle pain is a possible side effect of red yeast rice, it is not very common. From September 2013 to September 2023, only 34 cases of adverse muscle events out of 363,879 total musculoskeletal cases were attributed to red yeast rice ingestion.
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