Red Yeast Rice for Hypercholesterolemia in People with Statin-Related Myalgias

Red yeast rice, an herbal supplement that can lower LDL cholesterol levels, has been evaluated as an alternative therapy for people who cannot tolerate statins. Researchers randomized 62 patients who had developed statin-related myalgias (but not myositis or rhabdomyolysis), and whose symptoms had resolved on drug discontinuation, to daily red yeast rice (1800 mg) or placebo. At this dose, red yeast rice contains monacolin K (an inhibitor of HMG-CoA) in an amount that is equivalent to 6 mg of lovastatin. All patients received instruction in therapeutic lifestyle changes.

At week 24, mean LDL cholesterol levels dropped from 163 mg/dL to 128 mg/dL in the red yeast rice group and from 165 mg/dL to 150 mg/dL in the placebo group — a significant …