What are the side effects of cholestyramine?
Side Effects. In some animal studies, cholestyramine was found to cause tumors. It is not known whether cholestyramine causes tumors in humans. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
What are the uses of cholestyramine?
Cholestyramine is used to lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ("bad" cholesterol). Cholestyramine powder is also used to treat itching caused by a blockage in the bile ducts of the gallbladder. Cholestyramine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Can you take cholestyramine after taking other medications?
Cholestyramine should not be taken within 1 hour after or 4 hours before you take other medications. Use cholestyramine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Cholestyramine can affect the surfaces of your teeth.
Is cholestyramine safe for diabetics?
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).
Which is a side effect of cholestyramine?
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.More items...•
What happens when you stop taking cholestyramine?
Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. When you stop taking this medicine, your blood cholesterol levels may increase again. Your doctor may want you to follow a special diet to help prevent this from happening.
What drugs make your hair fall out?
Hair loss is a relatively rare side effect, but a variety of medications may cause it: beta-blockers, blood thinners, antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering drugs, certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hormone-related drugs like thyroid meds, hormone replacement therapies or steroids.
How can I stop my hair from falling out due to medication?
If a certain medication is causing hair loss, talk to your doctor about changing the dose, the drug, or the regimen, Gibson says. For example, she's found that for some patients taking divalproex sodium (Depakote) who report significant hair loss, adding a daily multivitamin offsets the problem.
Can you take cholestyramine long term?
Cholestyramine is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don't take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug or don't take it at all: If you don't take this drug, your cholesterol may not improve. This could increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.
What medications should not be taken with cholestyramine?
According to OBRA, cholestyramine may reduce the absorption of certain other concurrent medications, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, thyroid hormones, digoxin, valproic acid, NSAIDs, sulfonylureas, and warfarin; therefore, these medications should be administered 1 hour before or 4 hours after ...
Why am I suddenly losing so much hair?
Possible causes of hair loss include stress, poor diet, and underlying medical conditions. Everyone experiences hair shedding, and it happens to each of us every day. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of this natural cycle, more on days you wash your hair.
Can hair grow back after thinning?
Thinning hair can grow back depending on what caused it to thin in the first place. People who experience thinning hair due to nutrient deficiencies, stress, pregnancy, and other nongenetic reasons could experience regrowth. If you're experiencing new hair loss or hair thinning, it's best to consult your doctor.
What lack of vitamin causes hair loss?
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Which vitamin is best for hair fall?
The 5 Best Vitamins for Hair Loss Prevention, Based on ResearchBiotin. Biotin (vitamin B7) is important for cells inside your body. ... Iron. Red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen. ... Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for your gut to absorb iron. ... Vitamin D. You might already know that vitamin D is important for bones. ... Zinc.
What do doctors prescribe for thinning hair?
A dermatologist may recommend topical minoxidil, which is also available over the counter. A doctor might also prescribe oral finasteride for men. These medications are FDA-approved for certain conditions that cause hair loss. Other prescription medications may be available as an off-label use for hair loss.
What is the best treatment for female hair loss?
The only medicine approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil: It is applied to the scalp. For women, the 2% solution or 5% foam is recommended. Minoxidil may help hair grow in about 1 in 4 or 5 of women.
Can cholestyramine cause liver damage?
There is little evidence that cholestyramine causes significant liver injury. However, mild elevations in serum aminotransferase levels occur in a proportion of patients on cholestyramine. The elevations have been mild, transient and without accompanying symptoms or jaundice.
Will cholestyramine make you gain weight?
Miscellaneous: Weight loss, weight gain, increased libido, swollen glands, edema, dental bleeding, dental caries, erosion of tooth enamel, tooth discoloration.
What does cholestyramine do to your teeth?
Cholestyramine can affect the surfaces of your teeth. Sipping the cholestyramine/liquid mixture slowly or holding the liquid in your mouth for too long may result in tooth discoloration, enamel erosion, or tooth decay. Be sure to brush your teeth regularly while you are using this medicine.
How do you know if you have bile acid diarrhea?
Excess bile acids entering the colon can cause the classic signs and symptoms of bile acid malabsorption (BAM), including watery stool, urgency and fecal incontinence. Although BAM has been associated with diarrhea for nearly 50 years, it remains an underrecognized and underdiagnosed cause of chronic diarrhea.
What are the side effects of taking cholestyramine?
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking cholestyramine: More common. Constipation. Rare. Loss of weight (sudden)
Does cholestyramine need immediate medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of cholestyramine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Does cholestyramine cause tarry stool?
Along with its needed effects, cholestyramine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cholestyramine: Rare. Black, tarry stools.
What is cholestyramine?
Cholestyramine helps reduce cholesterol (fatty acids) in the blood. High cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).
What other drugs will affect cholestyramine?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
What is the purpose of cholestyramine powder?
Cholestyramine powder is also used to treat itching caused by a blockage in the bile ducts of the gallbladder.
How long after taking cholestyramine can you take other medications?
Wait at least 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine before you take any other medications.
How to stop constipation while taking cholestyramine?
Drink extra fluids to prevent constipation while you are taking cholestyramine. While using cholestyramine, you may need frequent blood tests. Cholestyramine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control.
Can cholestyramine cause tooth decay?
Cholestyramine can affect the surfaces of your teeth. Sipping the cholestyramine/li quid mixture slowly or holding the liquid in your mouth for too long may result in tooth discoloration, enamel erosion, or tooth decay. Be sure to brush your teeth regularly while you are using this medicine.
Can you take cholestyramine longer than recommended?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use cholestyramine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
What are the side effects of a cholesterol lowering agent?
SIDE EFFECTS. The most common adverse reaction is constipation. When used as a cholesterol-lowering agent predisposing factors for most complaints of constipation are high dose and increased age (more than 60 years old). Most instances of constipation are mild, transient, and controlled with conventional therapy.
Can cholestyramine interact with blood thinners?
Cholestyramine may interact with blood thinners, digoxin, propranolol, diuretics (water pills), thyroid hormones, birth control pills or hormone replacement, seizure medicines, or antibiotics. Tell your doctor all medications you use. During pregnancy, cholestyramine should be used only when prescribed. It may affect the absorption of certain nutrients.
Can questran cause ringing in ears?
ringing in your ears. Tell your doctor if you experience rare but serious side effects of Questran (cholestyramine) including: severe stomach/abdominal pain,
Does Questran interfere with tetracycline?
QUESTRAN (Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension USP) may delay or reduce the absorption of concomitant oral medication such as phenylbutazone, warfarin, thiazide diuretics (acidic), or propranolol (basic), as well as tetracycline, penicillin G, phenobarbital, thyroid and thyroxine preparations, estrogens and progestins, and digitalis. Interference with the absorption of oral phosphate supplements has been observed with another positively-charged bile acid sequestrant. QUESTRAN may interfere with the pharmacokinetics of drugs that undergo enterohepatic circulation. The discontinuance of QUESTRAN could pose a hazard to health if a potentially toxic drug such as digitalis has been titrated to a maintenance level while the patient was taking QUESTRAN.