The Truth About 18 Cholestyramine Side Effects & How They Can Harm Your Health

Cholestyramine is a prescription drug that belongs to a class of medications called bile acid sequestrants. It is used to lower high cholesterol levels in the blood, especially “bad” cholesterol. or low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

It works by binding to bile acids in the intestines and preventing them from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Bile acids are substances that help digest fats and are made from cholesterol in the liver.

Cholestyramine can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications caused by high cholesterol. However, like any medication, it can also cause some side effects that you should be aware of before taking it.

Cholestyramine can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications caused by high cholesterol. However, like any medication, it can also cause some side effects that you should be aware of before taking it. To learn more about the possible side effects of cholestyramine, you can visit this link.

In this article, we will discuss the most common and serious side effects of cholestyramine, how to prevent or manage them, and when to seek medical attention.

Cholestyramine Side Effects, Warning, and Rules of Use – There are a variety of ways to lower cholesterol. One of them is with medical treatment. It does not hurt you who have a history of cholesterol to know the usefulness and how to use the medication that the Doctor prescribe for you. One of the most common cholesterol-lowering drugs is Cholestyramine.

Cholestyramine is used to lower high cholesterol levels in the blood so it can help reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. This drug can also be used in patients to reduce excessive bile acids, which may result in itching.

Cholestyramine is a bile acid binding drug to be disposed of from the body. By removing bile acids, the liver will use a lot of cholesterol to make new bile acids, so the drug is widely used to lower high cholesterol in the blood.

In addition, Cholestyramine is also used to cope with itching on the blockage of the bile duct, either due to liver disease or bile duct itself. However, this still requires further research, since itching on the blockage of the bile duct is not only influenced by the accumulation of bile acids.

The rules of drug use.

Cholestyramine can be consumed with or without food. Do not consume cholestyramine in dry powder, but mix cholestyramine powder with 150 mL of water, fruit juice, soup, or milk, then stir until evenly before drinking it.

The use of this drug is adjusted to the medical condition and response to treatment. Before taking this medication, consult a physician first. Avoid long-lasting mixture in the mouth, as it can damage the teeth.

Because Cholestyramine can lower the absorption of other drugs, take another drug 1 hour earlier, or 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine. To obtain maximum medicinal benefits, drink cholestyramine regularly. It is advisable to still take this drug even, in a healthy state according to the doctor’s advice.

Warning

• Please be careful if you are suffering or have a history of kidney, constipation, or hemorrhoidal disease.
• Cholestyramine can affect the absorption of certain nutrients, such as folic acid and fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E, K.
• Cholestyramine is available in powder form, never swallowing directly the cholestyramine powder for oral without being dissolved in water because of the risk of choking.
• Prolonged use may result in the risk of bleeding.
• In case of an allergic reaction or overdose after taking cholestyramine, consult a doctor immediately.
• Cholestyramine does not address cholesterol problems, but helps control it. It is important to do exercise and diet with balanced nutrition.

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Cholestyramine Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Cholestyramine

Some of the common side effects of cholestyramine are related to its effect on the digestive system. These include:

• Constipation
• Bloating
• Gas
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Ulcer
• Flatulence
• Inflammation of the tongue
• Rash on skin
• Hemorrhoids.
• Itching of the tongue, skin and anus.

These side effects are usually mild and temporary, and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. However, if they persist or worsen, you should consult your doctor. To prevent or reduce these side effects, you should:

• Drink plenty of fluids, at least 8 glasses of water a day, to avoid dehydration and help soften your stools.
• Eat a high-fiber diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, to promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation.
• Avoid foods that may cause gas, such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, garlic, and dairy products.
• Take cholestyramine with meals or snacks, and not on an empty stomach, to prevent nausea and indigestion.
• Do not take cholestyramine within 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking other medications, as it may interfere with their absorption and effectiveness.
• Follow the instructions on how to mix and take cholestyramine powder or granules, and use a measuring device to ensure the correct dose.

Serious Side Effects of Cholestyramine

Some of the serious side effects of cholestyramine are rare but potentially life-threatening. These include:

• Severe allergic reaction, such as hives, rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis.
• Bleeding problems, such as easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in the urine or stool, or abnormal menstrual bleeding.
• Vitamin deficiency, such as low levels of vitamin A, D, E, or K, which can cause symptoms such as night blindness, bone pain, muscle weakness, bleeding disorders, or increased risk of infection.
• Gallstones, which are hard deposits of cholesterol or bile in the gallbladder, which can cause symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

These side effects are very serious and require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop taking cholestyramine and call your doctor or 911 right away. To prevent or reduce these side effects, you should:

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to cholestyramine or any of its ingredients, or if you have a history of allergic reactions to other medications.
• Tell your doctor if you have any bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, or if you are taking any blood thinners, such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel.
• Tell your doctor if you have any liver or gallbladder problems, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or gallstones, or if you have had surgery to remove your gallbladder.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as cholestyramine may affect the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals that are essential for fetal development and maternal health.
• Take a daily multivitamin supplement that contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, as cholestyramine may reduce their absorption from food sources.
• Have regular blood tests to monitor your cholesterol levels, liver function, and vitamin levels, as cholestyramine may affect them.

Seek help when you feel some signs of allergic reactions such as rash, shortness of breath, or swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat.

Contact your doctor immediately when you find:

• Bloody urine
• Great abdominal pain
• Heavy constipation
• Bloody or Black defecate.
• Easy bruising or unusual bleeding

Cholestyramine overdose effect

Use with a high dose of 150% of the recommended dose of the doctor is reportedly able to cause an overdose effect. If symptoms of severe abdominal pain, bloating and difficult to dispose of the flirt, constipation and vomiting can be a sign of overdose, immediately take the sufferer to the hospital in order to get help immediately.

Frequently asked questions

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