Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) supplements: Case series assessment of spontaneously reported cases to The Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb

Serious concerns are expressed on the safe use of red yeast rice (RYR) supplements. The aim of the present study was to analyse cases received by Lareb on RYR-related adverse health events. These cases were analysed for the number of reports, number of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), causality, seriousness of the reaction, latency-period, age and sex of the patients, concomitant medication and type of reporter. A total of 94 individual reports were collected by Lareb, corresponding with 187 ADRs. The analysis showed most reported ADRs were labelled musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (n = 64), gastrointestinal disorders (n = 33) and general disorders and administration site conditions (n = 23). The use of RYR supplements should be considered as a significant safety concern. Exposure to monacolin K could lead to serious adverse effects. To fully assess the safety profile of RYR supplements, more research is necessary to compose a complete ADR profile of RYR supplements.