Drug interactions
Chloramphenicol + Red yeast rice
Severity: Moderate
Chloramphenicol and Red yeast rice: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, which is chemically identical to lovastatin and is metabolized by CYP3A4. Inhibition may raise levels and increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloramphenicol and Red yeast rice can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Chloramphenicol belongs to Anti Bacterial; Red yeast rice belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chloramphenicol inhibits CYP3A4, increasing exposure to monacolin K.
What to do
Avoid red yeast rice during chloramphenicol therapy or hold it temporarily. Advise patients to report muscle pain, weakness or dark urine.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Chloramphenicol and Red yeast rice, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Chloramphenicol
Other interactions of Red yeast rice
- Red yeast rice + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Red yeast rice + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Red yeast rice + Tipranavir Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Red yeast rice Major
- Atorvastatin + Red yeast rice Major
- Conivaptan + Red yeast rice Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloramphenicol with Red yeast rice?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloramphenicol and Red yeast rice can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, which is chemically identical to lovastatin and is metabolized by CYP3A4. Inhibition may raise levels and increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
How serious is the interaction between Chloramphenicol and Red yeast rice?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid red yeast rice during chloramphenicol therapy or hold it temporarily. Advise patients to report muscle pain, weakness or dark urine.
What other medicines interact with Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloramphenicol with, for example, Adagrasib, Avapritinib, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Chloramphenicol page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
