Expert: Eric Brandt - 6/5/2009

Question
Hello Dr. Brandt.
I recently had Cholesterol testing done and found that my cholesterol had gone up since my last test.  I had been instructed at the last test to try diet and exercise.  I did my best, I am already on a no-Wheat, Soy and Egg diet due to allergies.  Well, dieting and exercise did not help.  The medicine that my doctor wanted me to go on, Welchol, is EXTREMELY expensive and I have just read so many bad things about cholesterol meds.  So, I went to the health food store and talked with one of the ladies there and she directed me to a supplement with Red Rice Yeast and Gugulipid.  She said it was great.  Well, my question is, I am taking Ortho-Trycyclin and Prestiq (anti-depressent).  I want to know if it is ok to be taking the supplement with these other drugs?  I have been taking it for 3 or 4 days now and haven't noticed anything other than a headache.  I am not sure if the headache is from medicine/supplement or from environmental allergies (which I have as well and it is the bad season for those).  
If you could get back to me, I would so much appreciate it.
Thank you,
Breezy

Answer
Hi Breezy,
There are well controlled studies involving food supplements from health food stores and traditional medications. All we ahave are anecdotal reports. I have not seen any reports that these supplements interfere with oral contraceptives. Exercise caution. You may want to use an additional method of birth control.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm