
Precautions
Cholestyramine resin is quite hydrophilic, but insoluble in water. The cholestyramine resin in Prevalite® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) is not absorbed from the digestive tract. 5.5 grams of Prevalite® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) contain 4 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin.
Is prevalite® (cholestyramine) soluble in water?
How is Prevalite Supplied. Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder is available in cartons of forty-two and sixty single-dose packets and in cans containing 231 grams. 5.5 grams of Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder contain 4 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin.
How is prevalite supplied?
Because cholestyramine (Prevalite) works by binding bile acid in the gut, it may also affect how other medications get absorbed. It's recommended that you take your other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine (Prevalite) to avoid any potential absorption issues.
Does cholestyramine (prevalite) interact with other medications?
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) is a bile acid sequestrant. It works by binding to bile acid in your intestines. Once it attaches to the bile acid, it forms a complex and is removed from your body. When bile acid levels are lowered, your liver converts more cholesterol into bile acid in order to replace what was lost.
How does prevalite work to lower cholesterol?

What is another name for cholestyramine?
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) is used to help lower cholesterol. It can also be used to treat itching caused by bile duct blockage.
Why would a doctor prescribe cholestyramine?
Cholestyramine is used to lower high cholesterol levels in the blood. This may help prevent medical problems caused by cholesterol clogging the blood vessels. Cholestyramine is also used to remove substances called bile acids from your body.
How does Prevalite help with diarrhea?
Recap. Cholestyramine is primarily a cholesterol medication that helps those with high LDL levels lower the amount of bad cholesterol in their blood. It also helps to remove excess bile acid from the intestines, which relieves the symptoms of diarrhea associated with BAD.
What is the medicine Prevalite used for?
This medication is known as a bile acid-binding resin. It works by removing bile acid from the body. In people with high cholesterol, this causes the liver to make more bile acid by using cholesterol in the blood. This helps to lower the cholesterol levels.
How quickly does cholestyramine work for diarrhea?
In another study on 26 diagnosed patients, cholestyramine was likewise found to be effective as shortterm treatment of chronic watery diarrhea: patients provided with cholestyramine sachets (4 g twice daily) showed significant decrease in number of watery stool in 8 weeks of treatment compared to patients provided with ...
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 is the best medicine for chronic diarrhea?
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, might help reduce the number of watery bowel movements and control severe symptoms.
How do you stop bile diarrhea?
The main treatments for bile acid diarrhoea are a low-fat diet and taking a medicine called a bile acid binder. A low-fat diet helps to reduce the symptoms of bile acid diarrhoea. Medicines that bind to bile acids in your gut (bowel) are usually very effective.
Do I have to take cholestyramine forever?
It may be very important for you to go on a reducing diet. However, check with your doctor before going on any diet. Remember that this medicine will not cure your cholesterol problem but it will help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your cholesterol level.
Is Prevalite the same as cholestyramine Lite?
Cholestyramine is available as a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Prevalite. This medication comes as a powder that you mix with a non-carbonated drink or applesauce and take by mouth.
Does cholestyramine stop diarrhea?
Cholestyramine is useful symptomatic treatment for diarrhea in patients with small ileal resections and mild steatorrhea.
Can Prevalite cause gas?
Common side effects of Prevalite include: constipation. abdominal discomfort and/or pain. gas.
When should you take cholestyramine?
Take this medication before a meal and/or at bedtime, and try to take any other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take cholestyramine because cholestyramine can interfere with their absorption. Continue to take cholestyramine even if you feel well.
How long should you take cholestyramine?
Constipation: If you have constipation, you should start taking cholestyramine once per day for 5 to 7 days. Then, increase your dosage to twice per day if you're able to. Your doctor may increase your dosage slowly (over several months) to make sure that your constipation doesn't get worse.
What are the common side effects of cholestyramine?
Common side effects of Questran (cholestyramine) include:constipation,diarrhea,stomach/abdominal pain,gas,bloating,nausea,vomiting,loss of appetite,More items...
Is cholestyramine used for IBS?
Cholestyramine is a bile acid sequestrant that is generally considered as the first-line treatment for bile acid diarrhea. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have significant benefits in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea. Ramosetron improves stool consistency as well as global IBS symptoms.
When should you take cholestyramine (Prevalite)?
You should take this medication at mealtime. Make sure you also space out your other medications by at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after yo...
What happens when you stop taking cholestyramine (Prevalite)?
You shouldn't stop taking this medication unless told to stop by a healthcare provider. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your blood cho...
How much cholestyramine (Prevalite) should I take?
Closely follow your healthcare provider's dosing instructions. Generally, cholestyramine (Prevalite) is taken once or twice per day. Mix the powder...
Why does cholestyramine (Prevalite) cause constipation?
Constipation is a very common side effect of cholestyramine (Prevalite) because of the way the medication works. Normally, bile acids in the intest...
Is there a pill form of cholestyramine (Prevalite)?
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) is currently only available as a powder form. There are other bile acid type medications, such as colestipol (Colestid)...
How much cholestyramine is in Prevalite?
The cholestyramine resin in Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) is not absorbed from the digestive tract. 5.5 grams of Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) contain 4 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin. It is represented by the following structural formula:
How many packets of Prevalite are there?
The maximum recommended daily dose is six packets or scoopfuls of Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder (24 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin). The suggested time of administration is at mealtime but may be modified to avoid interference with absorption of other medications.
Why are there no pill images on DailyMed?
Due to inconsistencies between the drug labels on DailyMed and the pill images provided by RxImage, we no longer display the RxImage pill images associated with drug labels.
How much prevalite is in a packet?
The recommended starting adult dose for Prevalite® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder is one packet or one level scoopful (5.5 grams of Prevalite® [cholestyramine for oral ...
What are the most common adverse reactions to a cholesterol lowering drug?
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 ...
Which is the precursor of bile acids?
Cholesterol is probably the sole precursor of bile acids. During normal digestion, bile acids are secreted into the intestines. A major portion of the bile acids is absorbed from the intestinal ...
Does cholestyramine cause bile loss?
The increased fecal loss of bile acids due to cholestyramine resin administration leads to an increased oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids, a decrease in beta lipoprotein or low density lipoprotein plasma levels and a decrease in serum cholesterol levels.
How long after cholestyramine can you take methylfolate?
Cholestyramine administration may decrease L-methylfolate plasma concentrations. Patients taking both drugs should take L-methylfolate 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after a dose of cholestyramine. Lomitapide: (Moderate) Separate administration of lomitapide and bile acid sequestrants by at least 4 hours.
Why is cholestyramine used in primary biliary cirrhosis?
Cholestyramine should also be used cautiously in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis because it can further raise serum cholesterol.
How long after cholestyramine is raloxifene administered?
To minimize drug interactions, administer other drugs at least 1 hour before or at least 4 to 6 hours after the administration of cholestyramine. Raloxifene: (Moderate) A single dose of cholestyramine causes a 60% reduction in the absorption and enterohepatic cycling of raloxifene.
How long does it take for M1 to be reduced?
After 24 hours of cholestyramine administration, the levels of M1, the active metabolite of leflunomide, are reduced by approximately 40%.
Is cholestyramine safe for pregnancy?
Cholestyramine is classified as FDA pregnancy risk category C. Cholestyramine is not absorbed systemically and is therefore not expected to cause fetal harm during pregnancy. However, cholestyramine is known to interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in pregnancy, which may lead to deficiencies even with supplementation. Maternal vitamin K deficiencies may lead to fetal deficiencies, resulting in coagulopathy and possible fetal death. In general, cholestyramine should only be used for symptomatic relief of pruritus secondary to cholestasis in pregnancy; dyslipidemias should be controlled with diet. Monitor the patient's INR and supplement with vitamin K, if needed. In addition, other fat-soluble vitamins may need to be supplemented.
Can cholestyramine cause renal failure?
Prolonged therapy with cholestyramine should be used with caution in patients with renal disease or renal failure because the cholestyramine resin releases chloride, which can increase the risk of developing hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.
Can cholestyramine cause GI obstruction?
Constipation, dysphagia, GI obstruction, hemorrhoids, ileus. Cholestyramine should be avoided in patients with GI obstruction because the drug causes constipation. Patients with preexisting constipation are at increased risk of developing fecal impaction.
How much prevalite is in 110 mg?
In calculating pediatric dosages, 80 mg of anhydrous cholestyramine resin are contained in 110 mg of Prevalite ®.
What is the purpose of cholestyramine resin?
Cholestyramine resin adsorbs and combines with the bile acids in the intestine to form an insoluble complex which is excreted in the feces. This results in a partial removal of bile acids from the enterohepatic circulation by preventing their absor ption.
How much cholestyramine is in Prevalite?
The cholestyramine resin in Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) is not absorbed from the digestive tract. 5.5 grams of Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) contain 4 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin. It is represented by the following structural formula:
What is USP powder?
1) Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol) who do not respond adequately to diet. Prevalite ® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder may be useful to lower LDL cholesterol in patients who also have hypertriglyceridemia, but it is not indicated where hypertriglyceridemia is the abnormality of most concern.
What are the most common adverse reactions to a cholesterol lowering medication?
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.
How much did cholestyramine increase serum triglycerides?
The LRC-CPPT showed a dose-related increase in serum triglycerides of 10.7% to 17.1% in the cholestyramine-treated group, compared with an increase of 7.9% to 11.7% in the placebo group. Based on the mean values and adjusting for the placebo group, the cholestyramine-treated group showed an increase of 5% over pre-entry levels the first year of the study and an increase of 4.3% the seventh year.
How often should LDL-C be used in NCEP?
A lipoprotein analysis (including LDL-C determination) should be carried out once a year. The NCEP treatment guidelines are summarized below.
What is dicyclomine used for?
May also be prescribed... Dicyclomine is used for the relief of colicky pain caused by intestinal muscle spasm in functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome. Side effects include dry mouth, a decreased ability to sweat... Prescribed for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
What is the half life of a drug?
The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.
Can you take dicyclomine with alcohol?
Ask your doctor before using dicyclomine together with alcohol. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol...
Is Bentyl a med?
Prescribed for Irritable Bo wel Syndrome . Bentyl may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Does alcohol interact with food?
No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Are you currently using Prevalite 4 Gram Oral Powder?
This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.
How does cholesterol medication work?
Lowering cholesterol helps decrease the risk for strokes and heart attacks .In addition to a proper diet (such as a low- cholesterol /low- fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.Cholestyramine may also be used to treat itching in people with too much bile acid caused by a certain type of liver /bile duct disease (partial biliary obstruction).This medication is known as a bile acid-binding resin. It works by removing bile acid from the body. In people with high cholesterol, this causes the liver to make more bile acid by using cholesterol in the blood. This helps to lower the cholesterol levels.
What is cholestyramine used for?
Consult your doctor for more details.Cholestyramine may also be used to treat itching in people with too much bile acid caused by a certain type of liver /bile duct disease (partial biliary obstruction).This medication is known as a bile acid-binding resin. It works by removing bile acid from the body.
How long does it take for cholestyramine to work?
Take your other medications as directed by your doctor, usually at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after cholestyramine.
What to do if you take a pill with water?
Rinse your glass with more liquid and drink the rinse liquid to be sure that you have taken the entire dose. You may also mix this medication with watery soups, applesauce, or a pulpy fruit which has a lot of juice (such as crushed pineapple, peaches).
What to tell your doctor before surgery?
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially constipation.
How to stop constipation from a syringe?
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough water, and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative.
How to decrease odevixibat?
Monitor Closely (1) cholestyramine will decrease the level or effect of odevixibat by drug binding in GI tract. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Administer bile acid sequestrants 4 hr before or after odevixibat.
Does cholestyramine reduce mycophenolate?
Contraindicated (1) cholestyramine decreases levels of mycophenolate by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Contraindicated. Cholestyramine binds bile acids and reduces mycophenolic acid exposure.
Does cholestyramine decrease methylprednisolone?
Monitor Closely (1) cholestyramine decreases levels of methylprednisolone by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Use Caution/Monitor.
Does cholestyramine decrease bendroflumethiazide?
Monitor Closely (1) cholestyramine decreases levels of bendroflumethiazide by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Use Caution/Monitor.
Does cholestyramine affect amiodarone?
Monitor Closely (1) cholestyramine decreases levels of amiodarone by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Use Caution/Monitor.
Does cholestyramine decrease acetaminophen?
Minor (1) cholestyramine decreases levels of acetaminophen by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.
Does bile acid reduce cholesterol?
Forms complex with bile acids that is not absorbed through intestine; inhibits enterohepatic reuptake of intestinal bile salts, and this, in turn, increases fecal loss of bile salt-bound LDL and consequently reduces serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.
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.
What is prevalite powder?
Prevalite (cholestyramine for oral suspension) powder is a cholesterol -lowering agent indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated low density lipoprotein [ LDL] cholesterol) who do not respond adequately to diet.
What are the signs of an allergic reaction?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: ongoing or worsening constipation; severe stomach pain; blood in your urine; black, bloody, or tarry stools; or.
Does prevalite help with hypertriglyceridemia?
Prevalite powder may be useful to lower LDL cholesterol in patients who also have hypertriglyceridemia, but it is not indicated where hypertriglyceridemia is the abnormality of most concern. Common side effects of Prevalite include: bleeding tendencies due to hypoprothrombinemia ( Vitamin K deficiency) as well as Vitamin A and D deficiencies.
Is cholestyramine resin a manifestation of liver disease?
However, this may be a manifestation of the liver disease and not drug related.
Can a bruising be a side effect?
easy bruising, unusual bleeding. Side effects such as constipation may be more likely in older adults. Common side effects may include: mild constipation, diarrhea; stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite; bloating or gas; irritation of your tongue; or. itching or irritation around your rectal area.
Does prevalite interfere with pregnancy?
Prevalite is known to interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and regular prenatal supplementation may not be adequate. Nursing mothers should use caution while taking Prevalite; the possible lack of proper vitamin absorption may affect a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
How to store a med?
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. See packaging for the exact temperature range. The color of the medication may sometimes vary. This is normal and will not affect how the drug works. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Do not store the medication in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
What is cholestyramine used for?
Consult your doctor for more details.Cholestyramine may also be used to treat itching in people with too much bile acid caused by a certain type of liver /bile duct disease (partial biliary obstruction).This medication is known as a bile acid-binding resin. It works by removing bile acid from the body.
What to know before taking cholestyramine?
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking cholestyramine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: constipation, hemorrhoids, kidney disease .Some products may contain sugar or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.Because this drug can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients (such as folic acid, fat-soluble vitamins including A, D, E, K), your doctor may direct you to take a multivitamin supplement. Consult your doctor for more information.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially constipation.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may affect the absorption of certain nutrients. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication is unlikely to pass into breast milk. However, it may affect the absorption of certain nutrients. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
How does bile acid work?
This helps to lower the cholesterol levels. HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 2 times a day.
What to do if you are constipated while taking a stool softener?
If you become constipated while using this drug, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a stool softener and/or a laxative .Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
How to report a drug problem to the FDA?
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc.
How long does it take for cholestyramine to work?
Take your other medications as directed by your doctor, usually at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after cholestyramine.

Prevalite Description
Cholestyramine is used along with a proper diet to lower cholesterol in the blood.
May Treat: Biliary obstruction with pruritus · Hypercholesterolemia
Alternate Brand Names: Questran
Drug Class: Antihyperlipidemic - Bile Acid Sequestrants
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult your doctor
May Treat: Biliary obstruction with pruritus · Hypercholesterolemia
Alternate Brand Names: Questran
Drug Class: Antihyperlipidemic - Bile Acid Sequestrants
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult your doctor
Lactation: Does not adversely affect lactation
Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
Prevalite - Clinical Pharmacology
Clinical Studies
Indications and Usage For Prevalite
Contraindications
Precautions
- Cholesterol is probably the sole precursor of bile acids. During normal digestion, bile acids are secreted into the intestines. A major portion of the bile acids is absorbed from the intestinal tract and returned to the liver via the enterohepatic circulation. Only very small amounts of bile acids are found in normal serum. Cholestyramine resin adsorbs and combines with the bile acids in th…
Adverse Reactions
- In a large, placebo-controlled, multi-clinic study, LRC-CPPT1, hypercholesterolemic subjects treated with cholestyramine resin had mean reduction in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) which exceeded those for diet and placebo treatment by 7.2% and 10.4%, respectively. Over the seven-year study period the cholestyramine resin group experienced a 19…
Overdosage
- 1) Prevalite® (cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol) who do not respond adequately to diet. Prevalite®(cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder may be useful t…
Prevalite Dosage and Administration
- Prevalite®powder is contraindicated in patients with complete biliary obstruction where bile is not secreted into the intestine and in those individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components.
How Is Prevalite Supplied
- General
Chronic use of cholestyramine resin may be associated with increased bleeding tendency due to hypoprothrombinemia associated with Vitamin K deficiency. This will usually respond promptly to parenteral Vitamin K1 and recurrences can be prevented by oral administration of Vitamin K1. R… - Information for Patients
Inform your physician if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Drink plenty of fluids and mix each 5.5 gram dose of Prevalite®(cholestyramine for oral suspension, USP) powder in at least 2 to 3 ounces of fluid before taking. Sipping or holding the resin suspens…