How does questran work

Health Tools. Cholestyramine Questran. Reviewed: June 23, You should not use cholestyramine if you are allergic to it, or if you have: a blockage in your digestive tract stomach or intestines. To make sure cholestyramine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: chronic constipation; a thyroid disorder; diabetes; kidney disease; liver disease; or coronary artery disease clogged arteries. Side Effects. Side Effects What are the side effects of Cholestyramine Questran?

Call your doctor at once if you have: ongoing or worsening constipation; severe stomach pain; blood in your urine; black, bloody, or tarry stools; or easy bruising, unusual bleeding. Side effects such as constipation may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects may include: mild constipation, diarrhea; stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite; bloating or gas; irritation of your tongue; or itching or irritation around your rectal area. Based on FDA pregnancy categories. Interactions What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Cholestyramine Questran? Drink extra fluids to prevent constipation while you are taking cholestyramine. While using cholestyramine, you may need frequent blood tests. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What should I do if I missed a dose of Cholestyramine Questran? Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children.

In effective doses, the medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. Side effects may be more likely to occur in patients over 60 years of age, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of cholestyramine. Studies suggest that this medication may alter milk production or composition.

If an alternative to this medication is not prescribed, you should monitor the infant for side effects and adequate milk intake. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.

In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases.

If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Cholestyramine Resin pronounced as koe less' tir a meen. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? What special precautions should I follow?

What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Side effects are more likely to occur in people over age Check with your healthcare professional if any of the below side effects are persistent or bothersome or if you have any questions about them.

Your healthcare professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. 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:. Seek medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, and call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have any chronic health problems, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or heart or blood vessel disease. Cholestyramine can delay or reduce the absorption of other oral medications. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider what other medications you are currently taking, such as:. Cholestyramine is a drug that helps lower cholesterol by binding to bile acids and removing them from the body in stools.

Cholesterol is essential for the production of bile acids, and, by clearing them from the intestines, the body is forced to use more cholesterol to return bile acid levels to normal.

This, in turn, decreases cholesterol levels in the blood. Cholestyramine is used off-label to treat bile acid diarrhea BAD. This is a form of diarrhea caused when bile acids are not reabsorbed after they have finished breaking down fats. With BAD, the malabsorption of these acids triggers watery diarrhea. By removing excess bile acids from the intestines, diarrhea symptoms can be resolved.

Cholestyramine is usually given at an initial dose of 4 grams per day and increased to 4 grams two to four times daily as needed. In general, 4 grams twice daily is effective in relieving BAD. Cholestyramine is not always a quick fix for bile acid diarrhea. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, it can several weeks to achieve sustained control of chronic diarrhea symptoms. When used at the recommended dose, common side effects of cholestyramine include:.

Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Bile acid malabsorption in chronic diarrhea: pathophysiology and treatment. Can J Gastroenterol. Vijayvargiya P, Camilleri M. Current practice in the diagnosis of bile acid diarrhea.