Cholestyramine Resin

Cholestyramine is used to decrease the amount of cholesterol (a fat-like substance that can build up and clog blood vessels causing heart attacks or strokes or other health problems). Cholestyramine is in a class of medications called bile acid sequestrant. It works by binding bile acids in your intestines to form a product that is removed from the body.

Cholestyramine comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid to take by mouth.  It is taken one to six times a day.

Take cholestyramine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Take this medication before a meal and/or at bedtime, and take any other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take cholestyramine.

Continue to take cholestyramine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking cholestyramine without talking to your doctor. This precaution is especially important if you also take other drugs; changing your cholestyramine dose may change their effects.

Do not take the powder alone. To take the powder, follow these steps:

1. Stir the powder into 2 to 6 ounces of water or other beverage.
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 applesauce, crushed pineapple, puréed fruit, and soup. Although the powder may be mixed in hot foods, do not heat the powder. To improve the taste and for convenience, you can prepare doses for an entire day on the previous evening and refrigerate them.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medication.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking cholestyramine,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking cholestyramine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• the following nonprescription products may interact with cholestyramine: vitamins A, D, E, and K supplements. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking colesevelam. Do not start any of these medications while taking colesevelam without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, especially angina (chest pain); stomach, intestinal, or gallbladder disease; or phenylketonuria (PKU, a condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent damage to your brain).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking cholestyramine, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking cholestyramine.

Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. You can also visit the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) website for additional dietary information at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.pdf.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Cholestyramine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• constipation, bloating, stomach pain, gas, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
• heartburn, indigestion

If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:

• unusual bleeding (such as bleeding from the gums or rectum)

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to cholestyramine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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