Drug interactions
Quinidine + Red yeast rice
Severity: Moderate
Quinidine 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, identical to lovastatin, which is metabolized by CYP3A4. Quinidine may modestly increase exposure, raising the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Quinidine 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.
Quinidine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Red yeast rice belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition by quinidine reduces the metabolism of monacolin K.
What to do
Advise patients to report muscle pain or weakness and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Consider stopping red yeast rice or using a statin not dependent on CYP3A4.
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 Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
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 Quinidine with Red yeast rice?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Quinidine 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, identical to lovastatin, which is metabolized by CYP3A4. Quinidine may modestly increase exposure, raising the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
How serious is the interaction between Quinidine 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: Advise patients to report muscle pain or weakness and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Consider stopping red yeast rice or using a statin not dependent on CYP3A4.
What other medicines interact with Quinidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Quinidine with, for example, Adagrasib, Arsenic trioxide, Artemether / lumefantrine. The full list is on the Quinidine page.
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