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Red Yeast Rice Pill
Red yeast rice contains naturally occurring statins that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reducing cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Red yeast rice contains naturally occurring statins that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reducing cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Used for Hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia, Cardiovascular disease prevention.
At a glance
| Generic name | Red Yeast Rice Pill |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Lesstat |
| Sponsor | Shiraz University of Medical Sciences |
| Drug class | Statin (natural/herbal) |
| Target | HMG-CoA reductase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Cardiovascular |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Red yeast rice is a fermented product of rice colonized by Monascus purpureus that produces monacolin K (lovastatin) and other statin-like compounds. These active constituents competitively inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, thereby lowering LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. The product also contains other bioactive compounds including unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols that may contribute to lipid-lowering effects.
Approved indications
- Hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia
- Cardiovascular disease prevention
Common side effects
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Hepatotoxicity
- Rhabdomyolysis (rare)
- Gastrointestinal upset
Key clinical trials
- Effect of Red Yeast Rice Beside Statin on Lipid Profile (PHASE4)
- Nutraceuticals and Vascular Remodelling
- Red Rice Yeast in Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) Lowering: an Efficacy Study (PHASE2)
- Effects of a Supplement Derived From Palm Oil on Cholesterol Levels and Chinese Red Yeast Rice in the Blood (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- NUtraceutical TReatment for hYpercholesterolemia in HIV-infected Patients (PHASE4)
- Low-dose Statins and Nutraceuticals in High-intensity Statin-intolerant Patients (PHASE4)
- Ezetimibe Versus Nutraceuticals in Statin-intolerant Patients (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Red Yeast Rice Pill CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Red Yeast Rice Pill updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences portfolio CI