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Class landing · Statins

Supplements and statins.

Atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin and the supplements that do and do not interact.

Statins are the most-prescribed class in the UK (atorvastatin alone is dispensed roughly 73 million times a year). Most supplement-statin interactions are mild, but a few are clinically meaningful.

Niacin in pharmacologic doses alongside simvastatin has documented muscle-toxicity risk and is the most-cited statin-supplement red flag (HPS2-THRIVE). Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, which is biochemically identical to lovastatin, so combining it with a prescribed statin is duplicate dosing. CoQ10 is widely used to offset statin-induced myalgia: the mechanism is plausible, the clinical evidence is mixed but tilting positive, and the safety profile is clean.

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For adults over 18. This tool gives evidence-graded information, not medical advice. Always discuss changes with your GP, especially if you take any medication, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a serious health condition.
Type the supplement name. Click each match to add it.
Brand or generic name works. Click each match to add it.

Something missing?

If a supplement or medication you take isn't in our autocomplete, tell us and we'll add it in the next quarterly update.

Distil's interactions database is reviewed and updated every quarter. We grade evidence transparently and publish our methodology, including every database change, at /about/methodology. This tool is information, not a substitute for clinical judgement. If you take medication and supplements together, your GP or pharmacist can review your full regimen against your medical history.