Cholestyramine (By mouth)
koe-le-STYE-ra-meen
Lowers high cholesterol levels. Also treats severe itching caused by liver disease.
Drug classes
Antihyperlipidemic, Exchange Resin, Urinary Stone Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Cholestyramine is used to lower high cholesterol levels in the blood. This may help prevent medical problems caused by cholesterol clogging the blood vessels. Cholestyramine is also used to remove substances called bile acids from your body. With some liver problems, there is too much bile acid in your body and this can cause severe itching.
Cholestyramine works by attaching to certain substances in the intestine. Since cholestyramine is not absorbed into the body, these substances also pass out of the body without being absorbed.
Cholestyramine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Cholestyramine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, cholestyramine is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Digitalis glycoside overdose
Excess oxalate in the urine
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Powder for Suspension, Packet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Take this medicine just before eating or with meals.
You should not use the powder in dry form. Mix in 4 to 6 ounces of water, fruit juice, or milk until completely dissolved. Drink this mixture right away. Rinse the glass with more liquid and drink that too, so you get all of the medicine.
You may also mix the powder medicine in thin soup, with soft fruits such as fruit cocktail or crushed pineapple, or with milk in breakfast cereal.
Drink several glasses of liquids each day while using this medicine.
If a dose is missed:
Take the missed dose as soon as possible.
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using Coumadin®.
Cholestyramine may change the way many other medicines work. Take other medicines 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after you take cholestyramine.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you need help deciding the best time to take your medicines.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to cholestyramine.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have thyroid problems, diabetes, gallbladder disease, stomach problems, heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
Questran Light® contains aspartame (Nutrasweet®). If you have phenylketonuria you should avoid using this product.
Before you stop using this medicine, talk with your doctor.
This medicine is used with diet, exercise, and weight loss in overweight patients to control high cholesterol levels. To lower and keep your cholesterol normal, all of these are important.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Wheezing or trouble breathing.
Unusual bleeding such as nosebleeds or bleeding gums
Severe stomach pain
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Upset stomach
Heartburn, gas or bloating
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Novo-Cholamine, Novo-Cholamine Light, Prevalite, Questran, Questran Light
There may be other brand names for this medicine.