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What is cholestyramine?
Cholestyramine helps reduce cholesterol (fatty acids) in the blood. High cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).
Cholestyramine is used to lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ("bad” cholesterol).
Cholestyramine powder is also used to treat itching caused by a blockage in the bile ducts of the gallbladder.
Cholestyramine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to cholestyramine, or if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- a thyroid disorder;
- diabetes,
- kidney disease,
- liver disease, or
- chronic constipation.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take cholestyramine.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Taking cholestyramine can make it harder for your body to absorb certain vitamins your body needs while you are nursing a baby. Do not take cholestyramine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
This medication may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using cholestyramine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Avoid taking other medications at the same time you take cholestyramine. Wait at least 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine before you take any other medications.
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include severe stomach pain or constipation.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- blood in your urine;
- severe stomach pain;
- ongoing constipation;
- feeling short of breath;
- black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
- easy bruising or bleeding.
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild constipation, diarrhea;
- stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, weight changes;
- bloating or gas;
- hiccups or a sour taste in your mouth;
- skin rash or itching;
- irritation of your tongue;
- itching or irritation around your rectal area;
- muscle or joint pain; or
- dizziness, spinning sensation; ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interactions
Cholestyramine can make it harder for your body to absorb other medications, such as:
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
- propranolol (Inderal);
- a diuretic (water pill);
- thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid);
- birth control pills or hormone replacement;
- seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
- an antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, others), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), penicillin (BeePen-VK, Pen-Vee K, Veetids, others), tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with cholestyramine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04