Cholestyramine (Oral)

Brand Names : Questran, Questran Light

Category

• Antidiarrheal, postoperative colonic bile acids
• Antidote, anion-exchange resin
• Antihyperlipidemic
• Antihyperoxaluric
• Antipruritic, cholestasis

Description

Cholestyramine (koe-less-TEAR-a-meen) 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, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Powder (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S. -

• Questran
• Questran Light

In Canada -

• Questran
• Questran Light