 | |
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /koʊˈlɛstərəmiːn/, /koʊlɪˈstaɪrəmiːn/ |
| Trade names | Questran, Cholybar, Olestyr, others |
| Other names | Cholestyramine |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a682672 |
| Pregnancy category |
|
| Routes of administration | By mouth |
| Drug class | Bile acid sequestrant[1] |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status |
|
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | Low |
| Protein binding | Unknown |
| Metabolism | Bile acids |
| Elimination half-life | 1 hour |
| Excretion | Faecal |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Molar mass | In average, exceeds 1×106 g/mol |
  (what is this?) (verify) | |
Colestyramine, sold under the brand name Questran among others, is a medication used to treat biliary obstruction, liver disease, high lipids, and certain types of chronic diarrhea.[1][2] For high lipids it is a second line treatment to statins.[1] In biliary obstruction it is used to improve itching.[3] It is taken by mouth.[3]
Side effects may include abdominal discomfort, heart burn, nausea, excessive intestinal gas, and constipation.[1] Other side effects may include fat soluble vitamin deficiency, osteoporosis, and hyperchloremic acidosis.[3] Safety in pregnancy is unclear.[3] It is a bile acid sequestrant, which binds bile in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent its reabsorption.[1] Low bile acid results in the liver producing less cholesterol.[1]
Cholestyramine was approved for medical use in the United States in 1973.[1] It is available as a generic medication.[1] In the United Kingdom 50 doses of 4 grams costs the NHS about £11 as of 2021.[2] In the United States this amount costs about 20 USD.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Cholestyramine". Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ a b c BNF 81: March-September 2021. BMJ Group and the Pharmaceutical Press. 2021. p. 212. ISBN 978-0857114105.
- ^ a b c d "Cholestyramine Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Cholestyramine Prices, Coupons & Savings Tips - GoodRx". GoodRx. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.