Cholestyramine Resin Description

Generic Name: CHOLESTYRAMINE RESIN

Pronunciation: (koe less' tir a meen)

Trade Name(s): Cholybar, Questran, Questran Light

Why it is prescribed: Cholestyramine resin is used along with diet changes like restriction of cholesterol and fat intake.This would decrease the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain and other body parts. Lowering your blood levels of cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes and heart attacks. Cholestyramine resin also is used to relieve itching caused by some kinds of jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin).

When it is to be taken: Cholestyramine resin usually is taken two to four times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Take the medication before a meal or at bedtime, and try to take other drug at least one hour before or four hours after you take cholestyramine resin.

How it should be taken: Cholestyramine resin comes in the form of chewable bar and in a powder that must be mixed with fluids or food. Do not take the powder alone. To take the powder form, follow these steps:
(1) Stir the powder into a glass of water, milk, heavy or pulpy fruit juices such as orange juice, or other beverage. If you use a carbonated beverage, mix the powder slowly in a large glass to avoid excessive foaming.
(2) Drink the mixture slowly.
(3) Rinse the drinking glass with more of the beverage and drink it to be sure that you get all of the powder. The powder also may be mixed with crushed pineapple or soup. To improve the taste and for convenience, you can prepare doses for an entire day on the previous evening and refrigerate them.
To take the chewable bars, follow these steps:
(1)Chew each bite thoroughly before swallowing.
(2)Drink plenty of liquid while you are taking this medication.

Special Instruction:
1. Your doctor may probably check the blood cholesterol level to evaluate your response to this medication.
2. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time, depending on your response.
3. Do not stop taking this medication or change the amount without talking to your doctor. This precaution is especially important if you also take other drugs; changing your cholestyramine resin dose may change their effects.
4. The major risk factors in developing arteriosclerosis (and heart attacks and strokes) are high blood levels of cholesterol and fats, obesity, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes.
5. Follow your doctor's advice on smoking, diet, exercise and weight control.
6. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, take your medication regularly and follow your doctor's dietary instructions i.e., low-sodium or low-salt diet for high blood pressure.
7. Be sure that you have enough medication on hand at all times.
8. Special dietary instructions should be followed. Eat a low-cholesterol, low fat diet: cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fish (not canned in oil), vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and "polyunsaturated" oils and margarines (corn, safflower, and soybean oils). Avoid meat (especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, lard, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese (other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and other fatty and fried foods.
9. This medication must be taken regularly to reduce the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it, but do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Side Effects:
1. Constipation. Eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of liquids. If constipation is severe or persists, contact your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a stool softener or laxative.
2. Bloating, abdominal pain, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, heartburn, indigestion. Bloating and gas often disappear as you continue using this drug. If any of these effects is severe or persists, contact your doctor. 3.Unusual bleeding, such as bleeding from the gums or rectum. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions:
1. Tell your doctor if you are constipated or if you have heart disease, especially angina (heart pain); stomach, intestinal, or gall bladder disease; or phenylketonuria.
2. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially amiodarone, chenodiol, digitoxin, digoxin, diuretics, iron, Iopermide, penicillin G, phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, propranolol (Inderal), tetracycline, thyroid, warfarin and other anticoagulants.
3. Women who are pregnant or brest-feeding should inform their doctors. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions:
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.
3. Do not store the powder in the bathroom or other areas where the moisture in the air may be high.