Drug Interaction Report

The following interaction applies only if you are taking high dosages of niacin for the treatment of high cholesterol. It does not apply if you are taking niacin at dosages commonly used in nutritional supplements.

Using red yeast rice together with niacin may increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death. The risk is greatest if you are elderly or have preexisting kidney disease. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. Let your doctor know immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness during treatment with red yeast rice or similar medications, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by fever or dark colored urine. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels of red yeast rice. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death. You should avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with red yeast rice. Drinking green tea or taking green tea extracts may also increase the blood levels of red yeast rice in some patients. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. It may be advisable to avoid excessive consumption of green tea and green tea products while on red yeast rice. Let your doctor know immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness during treatment, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by fever or dark colored urine. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Ask your doctor before using niacin together with ethanol (alcohol). You should avoid drinking alcohol, it can increase some of the side effects of niacin. This can cause nausea, dizziness, itching, vomiting, upset stomach, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin). Furthermore, consumption of large amounts of alcohol is associated with elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

The use of nicotinic acid and its derivatives is contraindicated in patients with significant or unexplained liver disease. Hepatotoxicity, including biochemical abnormalities of liver function, cholestatic jaundice, increased prothrombin time, and fulminant hepatic necrosis and failure, has been reported during therapy with niacin and niacinamide (nicotinamide), particularly in patients who have substituted sustained-release nicotinic acid products for immediate-release preparations at equivalent dosages. Treatment using pharmacologic dosages (e.g., lipid-lowering dosages) of these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with gallbladder disease or a history of jaundice, liver disease and/or heavy alcohol use. Liver transaminase levels should be evaluated prior to initiation of therapy, every 6 to 12 weeks for the first year, and periodically thereafter (e.g., semiannually). Patients who develop elevated ALT or AST levels during therapy should be monitored until abnormalities resolve. If an increase above 3 times the upper limit of normal persists, therapy should be withdrawn. Liver biopsy should be considered in patients with elevations that persist beyond cessation of therapy.

The use of nicotinic acid and its derivatives is contraindicated in patients with significant or unexplained liver disease. Hepatotoxicity, including biochemical abnormalities of liver function, cholestatic jaundice, increased prothrombin time, and fulminant hepatic necrosis and failure, has been reported during therapy with niacin and niacinamide (nicotinamide), particularly in patients who have substituted sustained-release nicotinic acid products for immediate-release preparations at equivalent dosages. Treatment using pharmacologic dosages (e.g., lipid-lowering dosages) of these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with gallbladder disease or a history of jaundice, liver disease and/or heavy alcohol use. Liver transaminase levels should be evaluated prior to initiation of therapy, every 6 to 12 weeks for the first year, and periodically thereafter (e.g., semiannually). Patients who develop elevated ALT or AST levels during therapy should be monitored until abnormalities resolve. If an increase above 3 times the upper limit of normal persists, therapy should be withdrawn. Liver biopsy should be considered in patients with elevations that persist beyond cessation of therapy.

The use of niacin and niacinamide (nicotinamide) is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer disease. These agents have been reported to activate peptic ulcer. Treatment should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease. Close observation is advised.

The use of nicotinic acid and its derivatives is contraindicated in patients with significant or unexplained liver disease. Hepatotoxicity, including biochemical abnormalities of liver function, cholestatic jaundice, increased prothrombin time, and fulminant hepatic necrosis and failure, has been reported during therapy with niacin and niacinamide (nicotinamide), particularly in patients who have substituted sustained-release nicotinic acid products for immediate-release preparations at equivalent dosages. Treatment using pharmacologic dosages (e.g., lipid-lowering dosages) of these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with gallbladder disease or a history of jaundice, liver disease and/or heavy alcohol use. Liver transaminase levels should be evaluated prior to initiation of therapy, every 6 to 12 weeks for the first year, and periodically thereafter (e.g., semiannually). Patients who develop elevated ALT or AST levels during therapy should be monitored until abnormalities resolve. If an increase above 3 times the upper limit of normal persists, therapy should be withdrawn. Liver biopsy should be considered in patients with elevations that persist beyond cessation of therapy.

The use of niacin and niacinamide (nicotinamide) is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer disease. These agents have been reported to activate peptic ulcer. Treatment should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease. Close observation is advised.

Caution is advised when niacin is used in patients with unstable angina or in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, especially when the patients are also receiving vasoactive drugs such as nitrates, calcium channel blockers, or adrenergic blocking agents.

Elevated fasting blood sugars and decreased glucose tolerance have been reported during niacin and niacinamide (nicotinamide) therapy. Patients with diabetes mellitus should be monitored closely during therapy with these agents, and adjustments made accordingly in their antidiabetic regimen.

Niacin and niacinamide (nicotinamide) can compete with uric acid for excretion by the kidney. Hyperuricemia and precipitation of gout have been reported during long-term therapy. Treatment using pharmacologic dosages (e.g., lipid-lowering dosages) of these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to gout.

Some HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g., fluvastatin) have not been studied in patients with severe renal dysfunction or end-stage renal disease. Some others (e.g., pitavastatin, simvastatin) require a dose reduction when used in this group of patients. Caution and close monitoring are advised when using these drugs in patients with renal dysfunction.