Lowers high cholesterol levels. Also treats severe itching caused by liver disease.
Brand Names:
Questran Light, Questran, Prevalite
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to cholestyramine.
Uses:
Powder for Suspension, Packet
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Take this medicine just before eating or with meals.
You should not use the powder in dry form. Mix in 4 to 6 ounces of water, fruit juice, or milk until completely dissolved. Drink this mixture right away. Rinse the glass with more liquid and drink that too, so you get all of the medicine.
You may also mix the powder medicine in thin soup, with soft fruits such as fruit cocktail or crushed pineapple, or with milk in breakfast cereal.
Drink several glasses of liquids each day while using this medicine.
If a dose is missed:
Take the missed dose as soon as possible.
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
Storage:
Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using Coumadin®.
Cholestyramine may change the way many other medicines work. Take other medicines 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after you take cholestyramine.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you need help deciding the best time to take your medicines.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have thyroid problems, diabetes, gallbladder disease, stomach problems, heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
Questran Light® contains aspartame (Nutrasweet®). If you have phenylketonuria you should avoid using this product.
Before you stop using this medicine, talk with your doctor.
This medicine is used with diet, exercise, and weight loss in overweight patients to control high cholesterol levels. To lower and keep your cholesterol normal, all of these are important.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Rash or hives
Wheezing or trouble breathing.
Unusual bleeding such as nosebleeds or bleeding gums
