Cholestyramine (Oral)
Brand Names : Questran, Questran Light
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For cholestyramine,
the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to cholestyramine. Also tell your health care professional
if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,
or dyes.
Pregnancy - Cholestyramine is not absorbed into the body and
is not likely to cause problems. However, it may reduce absorption of vitamins
into the body. Ask your doctor whether you need to take extra vitamins.
Breast-feeding - Cholestyramine is not absorbed into the body and
is not likely to cause problems. However, the reduced absorption of vitamins
by the mother may affect the nursing infant.
Children - 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.
Older 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.
Other medicines - 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
cholestyramine it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Anticoagulants (blood thinners) - The effects of the anticoagulant
may be changed and this may increase the chance of bleeding.
-
Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine) or
-
Diuretics (water pills) or
-
Penicillin G, taken by mouth or
-
Phenylbutazone or
-
Propranolol (e.g., Inderal) or
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Tetracyclines, taken by mouth (medicine for infection) or
-
Thyroid hormones or
-
Vancomycin, taken by mouth - Cholestyramine may prevent these
medicines from working properly
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of cholestyramine. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Bleeding problems or
-
Constipation or
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Gallstones or
-
Heart or blood vessel disease or
-
Hemorrhoids or
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Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems or
-
Underactive thyroid - Cholestyramine may make these conditions
worse
-
Kidney disease - There is an increased risk of developing electrolyte
problems (problems in the blood)
-
Phenylketonuria - Phenylalanine in aspartame is included in the
sugar-free brand of cholestyramine and should be avoided. Aspartame can cause
problems in people with phenylketonuria. Therefore, it is best if you avoid
using the sugar-free product.
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