What is the difference between cholestyramine and cholestyramine light

At the end of the four-week period there were no significant differences between the two groups in measurements of total cholesterol, triglycerides, or high- density lipoproteins, although there were trends that favored the light formulation.

If the newer preparation does indeed enhance compliance, it may ultimately improve cholesterol control when compared with the standard formulation. Insull W, Jr et al. Comparison of the efficacy of Questran Light, a new formulation of cholestyramine powder, to regular Questran in maintaining lowered plasma cholesterol levels. Am J Cardiol Mar 1 67 Cholestyramine can delay or slow other oral medications from being absorbed by your body.

This can lower the amount of the medication in your body. You should take other oral drugs at least 1 hour before you take cholestyramine, or 4 to 6 hours after you take it. Examples of these drugs include:. Cholestyramine interferes with fat digestion and may stop certain vitamins from getting into your body.

However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room.

Taking it again could be fatal cause death. For people with constipation: This drug can cause or worsen constipation. If you have constipation, your doctor may change your dosage or dosing schedule. If your constipation gets worse, your doctor may take you off of this drug and give you a different drug, especially if you have heart disease or hemorrhoids. For people with phenylketonuria PKU : The light form of cholestyramine contains For pregnant women: This drug is a category C pregnancy drug.

That means two things:. Cholestyramine stays in your digestive tract and does not reach the bloodstream. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. As a result, babies who are breastfed may not get the vitamins they need.

Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your baby. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Cholestyramine is used for long-term treatment. This could increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. If you take this drug for itching due to partial bile obstruction, your itching may not get better. Taking too much may cause worse constipation or your digestive tract may become blocked. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose.

Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in increased constipation. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled.

Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. While more research is needed, some studies suggest an idiopathic form of BAM I-BAM may be common among the one-third of people with irritable bowel syndrome IBS who have recurrent diarrhea.

Your healthcare provider will consider whether cholestyramine is appropriate or not if you have the following conditions:. Cholestyramine comes in a powder or chewable bar when taken for cholesterol. A dose of 4 to 7 grams g of medication often the equivalent of 5 to 9 g of powder may be taken one to six times a day as instructed by a healthcare provider.

The powder comes in a carton of individual packets or in a canister with a serving scoop. When taken for pruritus associated with a partial bile obstruction, a dose of 4 g may given up to three times per day. Cholestyramine for diarrhea is typically given as an initial dose of 4 g a day that may be increased as needed to 4 g taken two to four times per day.

For Graves' disease, 4 g may be given up to four times per day. As an alternative option, there may be a low dose of 1 to 2 g given as an adjunct therapy in combination with other medications. A dose for children will vary based on body weight and symptoms but doesn't typically exceed 8 g per day split into two or three divided doses with amounts dependent on body weight.

Follow these precautions:. 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.