title: Peripheral neuropathy induced by red yeast rice in a patient with a known small bowel gastrointestinal tumour.
abstract: Peripheral neuropathy is a well-recognised side effect of the cholesterol-lowering statins. Red yeast rice (RYR) is a traditional Chinese herb, widely available over-the-counter that has also been found to reduce cholesterol. Little data is available regarding its side effect profile. We report a case of a 60-year-old male receiving therapeutic imatinib for metastatic gastrointestinal tumour (GIST), who developed peripheral neuropathy while also taking RYR. The symptoms completely settled following withdrawal of the RYR and he has subsequently continued to take imatinib for over 2 years with no adverse effects. Further research into the safety profile of RYR is needed. The importance of questioning patients about over the counter medications and herbal remedies cannot be overemphasised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK. sonia.kumari@nhs.net
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sherriff
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spooner
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beckett
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D001688:Biological Products; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; C117343:red yeast rice; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate
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