Abstract:
(1) Rice fermented with "red yeast" is a traditional Chinese remedy that naturally contains various statins. Preparations based on red yeast rice are marketed as lipid-lowering medicines, often in capsule form, having the regulatory status of dietary supplements. (2) Cases of rhabdomyolysis have drawn attention to the risks associated with these products: "dietary supplement" status does not provide any guarantee as to the composition or quality of these preparations. (3) In practice, it is better to exercise caution when using plant-based dietary supplements. Patients should be informed of the risks associated with using these products, and standard drug treatments should be preferred.