Red Yeast Rice and Phytosterols In Statin Intolerance

Summary

Red yeast rice may be useful to lower cholesterol, especially in a population of patients who cannot tolerate traditional therapy with statins. The addition of an over-the-counter phytosterol to red yeast rice may offer additional lipid lowering benefits when compared to red yeast rice alone. These supplements will be given to all participants. Up to one-half will enroll in a lifestyle intervention program called Change of Heart and will be compared to patients who do not participate in the program. The study will last one year.

Timeline

Start

2009-07

Primary completion

2010-11

Completion

2011-07

Outcome

Missed primary endpoint

paper Phytosterols did not significantly improve LDL-C at weeks 12 (P = .54), 24 (P = .67), or 52 (P = .76) compared with placebo. PMID 23816039 ↗

Publications

• Becker DJ, French B, Morris PB, Silvent E, Gordon RY. Phytosterols, red yeast rice, and lifestyle changes instead of statins: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Am Heart J. 2013 Jul;166(1):187-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2013.03.019. Epub 2013 Apr 30.

Drugs

Indications