Can You Take Green Tea Extract (EGCG) and Red Yeast Rice Together?

Use extra care with this pair

The short answer

Both EGCG and Red Yeast Rice have hepatotoxic potential. EGCG at high doses causes oxidative liver injury, while Red Yeast Rice contains monacolin K with statin-class hepatotoxicity. People using both for cardiovascular health should be aware of combined liver risk.

How to arrange timing

Monitor liver function when combining for cardiovascular support. Consider standard green tea consumption rather than concentrated EGCG extract.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Navarro VJ et al., Hepatology 2017; Björnsson ES, Clin Liver Dis 2017; LiverTox (NIH/NLM)

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.