More Info on Cholestyramine ..

[Guest guest]

Some more information on cholestyramine: It mentions teeth

discoloration, helpful to itchy skin in liver disease, says it can

improve your sex drive (now I know people will read this), and other

interesting things.

http://www.gicare.com/pated/cholestyramine.htm

What is cholestyramine?

Cholestyramine acts like a microscopic vacuum cleaner sucking up

certain body substances and even medicines. The drug binds up bile

salts in the GI tract preventing them from being active in the lower

bowel. It also absorbs cholesterol, thereby reducing the cholesterol

in the blood.

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What is it used for?

This medication is used to treat the itching that occurs with

certain types of liver disease. Itching occurs because of retention

of bile salts which are made by the liver. Cholestyramine binds

these bile salts in the intestinal tract, thereby reducing them in

the blood and relieving the itching that elevated bile salts can

cause. Diarrhea occurs in some people after they have had their

gallbladder removed or after an operation where the lower small

bowel (ileum) is removed, as in Crohn's disease. In these

circumstances, bile reaches the colon unimpeded and acts like a

laxative, causing diarrhea. Cholestyramine absorbs and binds these

bile salts, helping to improve the diarrhea problem. Cholestyramine

is also used to lower the cholesterol level and to bind up various

toxins or poisons that may have been ingested.

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How do I take it?

Follow your physician's instructions carefully. Always take this

drug 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking any other drug. Take it

just before or with a meal. Mix with 4 to 6 ounces of water, fruit

juice, milk, soup or soft food such as applesauce. Do not use

carbonated beverages with this medication. Store it in a tightly

closed container at room temperature and protect it from moisture

and high humidity. Keep all medications away from children. Never

share your medications with anyone else.

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What do I do for a missed dose?

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If

it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and

return to your regular schedule. Do not double up on this

medication.

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Are there interactions with food or beverages?

This drug may interfere with the absorption and digestion of fats

and fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K. It may be necessary

to supplement these vitamins as well as calcium and folic acid.

Check with your physician. There is no interaction with alcohol.

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Are there interactions with other drugs?

An interaction generally means that one drug may increase or

decrease the effect of another drug. Also, the more medications a

person takes, the more likely there will be a drug interaction. It

is advisable to take all other drugs 1 hour before or 2 hours after

taking this drug.

Interactions with this drug may occur with the following:

blood thinners (Coumadin)

amiodarone (Cordarone)

arthritis medications (ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin Naprosyn, many

others)

gemfibrozil (Lopid)

ursodiol (Actigall, URSO)

propranolol (Inderal)

digoxin (Lanoxin)

prednisone

furosemide (Lasix)

thiazide diuretics (Dyazide, hydrochlorothiazide)

thyroid (Synthroid)

oral antidiabetic agents

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Is there a problem if I have another disorder or disease?

At times, a drug may have a different or enhanced effect when other

diseases are present. At other times, the drug may worsen or effect

another disease. Patients who already have problems with

constipation or bloating may find that the drug aggravates these

problems. Discuss this with your physician. This is one of the older

medications to lower cholesterol. The drug may be difficult to take

up to 4 times a day long-term because of gastrointestinal side

effects. A pill to reduce cholesterol may be easier from a

compliance standpoint.

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What about allergies?

People who have known allergies or asthma may be at an increased

risk for a reaction from any new medication. The physician should

always know a patient's allergy history. Signs of an allergic

reaction are skin rash, hives or itching. Of course, a person should

not take cholestyramine if there has been a previous reaction to

this or a similar drug.

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What if I'm pregnant, considering pregnancy or breast-feeding?

Most females now know that, if possible, no drug, including alcohol,

should be taken during pregnancy or lactation. The potential danger,

of course, is an injury to the baby. However, some drugs are much

safer than others in this regard. So, the FDA has a grading system

for each drug which reflects what is known medically. It ranks drugs

from A, where medical studies show no evidence for danger to the

fetus or mother, to B, C, D and X, where the medical evidence

indicates that the risk to the fetus outweighs any benefit to the

mother. Cholestyramine is ranked C. However, since this drug is not

absorbed but remains in the intestinal tract, it is probably safe

during pregnancy. Always consult your physician before taking any

drug during or when planning pregnancy.

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What are the effects on sexual function?

There are a few questionable medical reports that this drug may

increase the sex drive. Since the drug is not absorbed, it is

completely unclear how this could occur.

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Are there other precautions?

Sipping cholestyramine mixtures or holding it in your mouth for a

long period of time can lead to tooth discoloration, enamel erosion

or decay. Be sure to brush and floss teeth regularly.

Avoid foods that tend to constipate such as cheeses.

Be sure to have an adequate liquid intake of up to 2 quarts daily

while on this medication.

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How long is it safe to take cholestyramine?

Long-term use of this drug is safe but does require periodic medical

evaluation. Use of this medication on a regular schedule for 3 weeks

is needed to determine its effectiveness in lowering high blood

cholesterol.

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How about side effects?

Adverse reactions can occur with any drug, even over-the-counter

medications. Some of these are mild such as a stomach upset, which

may be avoided by taking the medication with food. Minor reactions

may go away on their own but if they persist, contact the physician.

For major reactions, the patient should contact the physician

immediately.

For cholestyramine, the following are the observed side effects:

Minor:

constipation

indigestion

bloating

diarrhea

nausea

Major:

severe constipation

severe stomach pain

vomiting

weight loss

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A physician's comment...

In gastroenterology, this drug has a role in relieving itching from

chronic liver disease and in treating diarrhea. Its main shortcoming

is the gritty taste and the side effect of bloating and even

constipation.