Is red yeast rice safe to use for lowering my ldl . and should i be taking some other drug to counter act the side effects, if any?

Depends on brand...: Red yeast rice contains several natural forms of a class of drugs called statins. Lipitor, (atorvastatin) zocor, Crestor are all statins. The safety profile is similar to these prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies put pressure on the fda to put pressure on nutraceutical companies to remove the active ingredient. Herbal actives by nature's plus still contains it, others do not. Coq10, 300mg for s.E.'s.