Drug interactions
Nicardipine + Red yeast rice
Severity: Moderate
Nicardipine 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, chemically identical to lovastatin, which is metabolized by CYP3A4. Nicardipine may increase this exposure and raise the risk of myopathy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nicardipine 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.
Nicardipine belongs to Cardiovascular; Red yeast rice belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4 by nicardipine reduces metabolism of monacolin K (lovastatin).
What to do
Counsel patients to report muscle pain or weakness and consider checking creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Use a statin less dependent on CYP3A4 if lipid-lowering therapy is needed.
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?
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Other interactions of Nicardipine
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 Nicardipine with Red yeast rice?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nicardipine 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, chemically identical to lovastatin, which is metabolized by CYP3A4. Nicardipine may increase this exposure and raise the risk of myopathy.
How serious is the interaction between Nicardipine 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: Counsel patients to report muscle pain or weakness and consider checking creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Use a statin less dependent on CYP3A4 if lipid-lowering therapy is needed.
What other medicines interact with Nicardipine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nicardipine with, for example, Amifostine, Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide, Betrixaban. The full list is on the Nicardipine page.
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