Cholestyramine
About Cholestyramine
Cholestyramine is used to lower bad cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in future. It also treats itching caused by a biliary obstruction. Cholestyramine may also be used to treat diarrhoea caused by excess bile acids in people with short bowel syndrome.
Cholestyramine contains Cholestyramine, which binds to bile acids in the intestine and helps remove them from the body through the stools. This process causes the liver to use more cholesterol to produce new bile acids, thereby lowering levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood.
Take Cholestyramine as instructed by your doctor. Some people may experience constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain or gas. Most of the side effects do not require medical attention and resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Cholestyramine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Before taking Cholestyramine, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Cholestyramine is not recommended for children below 6 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Uses of Cholestyramine
• High Cholesterol: Cholestyramine is used to lower elevated cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or 'bad' cholesterol.
• Lowers the risk of heart problems: Cholestyramine lowers cholesterol levels and prevents the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Treats itching caused by liver disease: It helps relieve itching in people with partial biliary obstruction by removing excess bile acids from the body.
• Manages diarrhoea due to bile acid malabsorption: It is effective in treating diarrhoea caused by conditions like Crohn’s disease or after gallbladder removal.
Medicinal Benefits
Management of High Cholesterol:
- Helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the blood.
- Supports healthy cholesterol balance when used along with dietary changes.
- Helps lower the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular complications.
- Helps prevent excess cholesterol deposition in blood vessels supplying the brain.
Bile Acid–Induced Diarrhoea:
- Provides symptomatic relief from bile acid–induced diarrhea in patients with short bowel syndrome.
Relief from Itching (Pruritus):
- Helps relieve itching associated with partial biliary obstruction.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Cholestyramine should be administered orally after mixing with milk, water or fruit juices. Stir well and swallow the mixture slowly. Do not store it for later use.
- Do not mix it with very hot or cold liquids.
Storage
Side Effects of Cholestyramine
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Flatulence (gas)
Drug Warnings
- If you are allergic to Cholestyramine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor.
- Before taking Cholestyramine, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Cholestyramine is not recommended for children below 6 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
- Avoid taking Cholestyramine if you have gallstones or a blockage in the stomach or intestines.
- If you have diabetes, thyroid disorder, kidney, liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Cholestyramine.
- You are recommended to take other medicines 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking Cholestyramine, as taking them at the same time may reduce the effectiveness of other medicines.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines, as there may be an interaction.
- Vitamins (Folic acid)
• Potential effect: May interfere with the absorption of folic acid. - Medicine used to treat multiple sclerosis (Teriflunomide)
• Potential effect: May decrease the blood levels of Teriflunomide. - Medicine used to prevent organ rejection (Mycophenolic acid, Mycophenolate Mofetil)
• Potential effect: May decrease the effect of Mycophenolic acid/Mycophenolate Mofetil.
Drug-Food Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking any multivitamins, dietary supplements, or OTC medicines.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have any of these conditions, inform your doctor.
- Gallstones
- Blockage in the stomach or intestines
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorder
- Kidney, liver, or heart problems
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of Cholestyramine with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Cholestyramine.
Pregnancy
cautionCholestyramine is a category C pregnancy drug and is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks. However, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Cholestyramine is excreted in human milk. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding. Cholestyramine is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks the benefits are greater than the risks.
Driving
safeCholestyramine usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Cholestyramine with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Cholestyramine with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionCholestyramine is not recommended for children below 6 years of age. However, Cholestyramine should be used with caution in children above 6 years if recommended by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Healthy Diet:
- Maintain a low-fat diet and limit whole milk dairy products and red meat.
- Prefer skim milk and fat-free or low-fat dairy options.
- Include fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, whole grains, and nuts in your diet.
- Reduce intake of sugary drinks, processed foods, and high-calorie snacks.
Physical Activity:
- Do regular exercise such as swimming, cycling, walking, or dancing.
- Focus on losing excess weight, as obesity increases bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol.
Lifestyle Habits:
- Avoid smoking to protect heart and blood vessel health.
- Limit or avoid alcohol consumption to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Cholestyramine to monitor cholesterol levels and kidney function.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High cholesterol: Also known as hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia, occurs when there is an excess of unhealthy cholesterol in the blood. When there is a high cholesterol level in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged, which finally contributes to heart diseases, such as stroke and heart attack. Eating high-fat or high-cholesterol-containing food/drinks and genetic factors are the primary causes of high cholesterol. There are two types of cholesterol found in our body: good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). Good cholesterol is good for our heart and helps reduce bad cholesterol in our body. On the other hand, excess bad cholesterol (LDL) leads to the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and stroke.
FAQs
Cholestyramine is used to lower bad cholesterol levels, thereby‚ reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in future. It may also be used to help stop some types of diarrhoea or itching.
Cholestyramine contains Cholestyramine that binds to bile acids (helps in the digestion of fats consumed in the diet) in the intestine and removes them from the body. This makes the liver produce more bile acids from the cholesterol in the blood and decreases cholesterol levels. Also, Cholestyramine reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the brain and heart.
You are not recommended to take Cholestyramine with levothyroxine at the same time as it may reduce the absorption of levothyroxine and decrease its effectiveness. Therefore, you are recommended to take levothyroxine after 4 hours of taking Cholestyramine. However, please consult a doctor before taking Cholestyramine with any other medicines.
Cholestyramine may be used to treat certain types of diarrhoea, such as bile acid diarrhoea, in which excess bile acids spill into the large intestine and trigger watery and loose stools. However, please consult a doctor before taking Cholestyramine.
Cholestyramine decreases the absorption of certain vitamins, such as fat-soluble vitamins (A, D and K), by the body, especially when taken in high doses or for long periods. Therefore, your doctor may recommend that you take vitamin supplements with Cholestyramine.
You are not recommended to stop taking Cholestyramine without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen the condition and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, take Cholestyramine for as long as your doctor has recommended it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Cholestyramine, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be gradually reduced.
Cholestyramine may cause constipation as a common adverse effect. You are advised to drink plenty of fluids while taking Cholestyramine to prevent constipation. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Cholestyramine may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain or flatulence (gas). If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Cholestyramine should be avoided by patients with a blockage in the stomach or intestines. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor.
Cholesterol is a waxy fat, or lipid, which circulates throughout the body in blood. The liver makes cholesterol, but it can also be obtained from foods. There are two types of cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or the good cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or the bad cholesterol.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is called bad cholesterol as it accumulates cholesterol in the blood. This leads to blockage in the heart and is a direct cause of strokes, heart attacks, and peripheral artery disease.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is also called as good cholesterol as it transports cholesterol from blood to liver for elimination. Thus, lowers the risk of heart diseases.
You can book a lipid profile test with any recognised laboratory. With the help of this test, you can monitor your total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL levels, LDL levels, and the ratio between cholesterol and HDL. Before giving your blood sample to the laboratory, you may need to fast for a period of 10-12 hours. After receiving your test report, consult a doctor to help you evaluate your test results.
The total cholesterol level should be 125 to 200 mg/dL, HDL should be 40mg/dL or higher and LDL should be less than 100 mg/dL.
If you have high cholesterol, it accumulates upon the artery walls. This narrows arteries and thus reduces blood flow to the heart. This can result in heart attack or stroke.
When your cholesterol levels are high enough (LDL level greater than 190mg/dL) to increase your risk for heart disease or if you already have a history of stroke or heart attack, medication is usually suggested. Always consult your doctor before taking any medicines.
Some of the symptoms of high cholesterol include pain in the neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or back; chest pain; difficulty breathing; extreme fatigue; and numbness or coldness in extremities.
Some of the foods that are high in cholesterol are red meat like pork, lamb, packaged food, full-fat dairy, fried foods, processed meat (sausage, bacon), etc.
In addition to taking Cholestyramine, following a low-fat diet, reducing body weight, regular exercise, and limiting alcohol consumption can help improve the effectiveness of Cholestyramine and lower cholesterol levels.
