Why, then, are these pills considered to be a dietary

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Mar 12, 2018 at 4:59 PM 99

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Why, then, are these pills considered to be a dietary supplement and not a drug? Red yeast rice products were on the market before the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA)—which loosely regulates supplements—was passed in 1994, Cohen says. “As with all other supplements on the market at that point, they were grandfathered in,” he says.

But that doesn’t mean red yeast rice supplements are safer than prescription statins. They aren’t. “Like statins, red yeast rice can cause exactly the same side effects as statins, and that includes muscle, liver, and kidney problems,” Lipman says. “And, even more important, red yeast rice supplements, like most supplements, aren’t standardized, so there’s no way to know the quantity or quality of the ingredients you are taking,” Lipman says. “That makes taking them even riskier.”

On the other hand, statin drugs, like all prescription medication, are carefully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. They contain precise amounts of their active ingredient and must be taken under a doctor’s supervision. “When you take them, your physician monitors your kidney function and cholesterol levels on a regular basis, and can adjust the dose to prevent complications,” Lipman says.

Another problem: Red yeast supplements can contain citrinin—a chemical toxin linked to liver damage. There is no established safe level of citrinin, a compound that has not been well studied, Lipman says, “But consumers would be wise to avoid it.”

For all of those reasons, red yeast rice is one of the supplements on Consumer Reports list of 15 supplement ingredients that people should never take.

If you do need the power of a drug to lower your cholesterol, you are better off taking a prescription statin that is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. That way, your doctor will be able to choose the correct medication for your condition. You will also know exactly how much of the active ingredient each pill contains, along with the risk factors and potential effects associated with it. For more information about statins, see our Consumer Reports Best Buy Drug report.

Taking prescription statins is also gentler on your wallet. A month’s worth of some generic statin drugs can cost as little as $4 at pharmacies like Kroger, Sam's Club, and Walmart, and statins are covered by most insurance plans, according to Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs. Meanwhile 30 days worth of red yeast rice can cost about $13, and won't be covered by your insurance.

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