What is the drug cholestyramine used for?

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.

How much does cholestyramine lower cholesterol?

Cholestyramine is a cholesterol-lowering drug that belongs to the bile acid resin class of medications. Studies have shown that cholestyramine mainly lowers LDL cholesterol by about 15%.

Can cholestyramine cause liver damage?

Hepatotoxicity. There is little evidence that cholestyramine causes significant liver injury. However, mild elevations in serum aminotransferase levels occur in a proportion of patients on cholestyramine. The elevations have been mild, transient and without accompanying symptoms or jaundice.

Is cholestyramine used for diarrhea?

Cholestyramine is a bile acid sequestrant that is generally considered as the first-line treatment for bile acid diarrhea. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have significant benefits in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea. Ramosetron improves stool consistency as well as global IBS symptoms.

What are side effects of cholestyramine?

Constipation, stomach/abdominal pain, gas, nausea, and vomiting may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Will cholestyramine make you gain weight?

Miscellaneous: Weight loss, weight gain, increased libido, swollen glands, edema, dental bleeding, dental caries, erosion of tooth enamel, tooth discoloration.

Does cholestyramine lower A1c?

Although control ZDF rats had continuous increases in blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and serum glucose and a decrease in serum insulin throughout a 5-week study, the cholestyramine-treated ZDF rats showed a dose-dependent decrease and normalization in serum glucose and HbA1c.

What are the side effects of cholestyramine?

Constipation, stomach/abdominal pain, gas, nausea, and vomiting may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough water, and exercise.

Will cholestyramine cause weight gain?

Renal: Hematuria, dysuria, burnt odor to urine, diuresis. Miscellaneous: Weight loss, weight gain, increased libido, swollen glands, edema, dental bleeding, dental caries, erosion of tooth enamel, tooth discoloration.

Does cholestyramine make you poop?

Common. The most commonly reported side effect of cholestyramine are digestive in nature and may ease as your body gets used to the medication. They include: Constipation.

Is cholestyramine safe long term?

Long-term use of cholestyramine may cause a deficiency of vitamin A, D, E, and K. Constipation can be an important side effect of cholestyramine, perhaps because the presence of free bile acids in the intestine helps determine the amount of water in stool, and cholestyramine binds the free bile acids.

Can cholestyramine cause hair loss?

The nutrients depleted by cholestyramine include zinc, magnesium, calcium, folic acid and vitamin B12. These nutrients nourish the hair and nails. A deficiency in them can cause problems with your hair, such as premature graying, dryness and hair loss.