Drug interactions
Red yeast rice + Tipranavir
Severity: Contraindicated
Red yeast rice and Tipranavir: contraindicated 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, a CYP3A4 substrate. Tipranavir, given with ritonavir, strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and may substantially raise monacolin K levels, increasing the risk of muscle toxicity and rhabdomyolysis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Red yeast rice and Tipranavir are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Red yeast rice belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Tipranavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Ritonavir-boosted tipranavir inhibits CYP3A4, increasing monacolin K (lovastatin) exposure.
What to do
Avoid red yeast rice during tipranavir therapy. If a statin is needed, select one not reliant on CYP3A4 and monitor for muscle symptoms.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Red yeast rice
- Red yeast rice + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Red yeast rice + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Red yeast rice Major
- Atorvastatin + Red yeast rice Major
- Conivaptan + Red yeast rice Major
- Cyclosporine + Red yeast rice Major
Other interactions of Tipranavir
- Alfuzosin + Tipranavir Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Tipranavir Contraindicated
- Atorvastatin + Tipranavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Tipranavir Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Tipranavir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Tipranavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Red yeast rice with Tipranavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Red yeast rice and Tipranavir are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, identical to lovastatin, a CYP3A4 substrate. Tipranavir, given with ritonavir, strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and may substantially raise monacolin K levels, increasing the risk of muscle toxicity and rhabdomyolysis.
How serious is the interaction between Red yeast rice and Tipranavir?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, 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 tipranavir therapy. If a statin is needed, select one not reliant on CYP3A4 and monitor for muscle symptoms.
What other medicines interact with Red yeast rice?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Red yeast rice with, for example, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Atazanavir. The full list is on the Red yeast rice page.
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