cholestyramine
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) is used to help lower cholesterol. It can also be used to treat itching caused by bile duct blockage. The medication can cause stomach-related side effects, like constipation, gas, and stomach discomfort.
What is Cholestyramine (Prevalite)?
What is Cholestyramine (Prevalite) used for?
- High cholesterol (in combination with diet)
- Itching caused by bile duct blockage
How Cholestyramine (Prevalite) works
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. This lowers the amount of cholesterol in your body. It also helps with itching by lowering the extra bile acid found in the skin tissues.
Drug facts
Side effects of Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Mild constipation
- Stomach discomfort
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloating or gas
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction
- Severe constipation
- Severe stomach pain
- Easy bruising or unusual bleeding
- Bloody, black, or tarry stools
The following Cholestyramine (Prevalite) side effects have also been reported
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.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Rare
Loss of weight (sudden)
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
Pros and cons of Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
Pros
- Can help lower cholesterol in people who haven't been able to lower it with diet or exercise
- Available as an easy-to-use powder formulation that can be mixed with soups, applesauce, crushed pineapple, or pureed fruit
- Available as a lower-cost, generic medication
Cons
- Can make you feel constipated
- Need to get your blood checked frequently during the first few months of treatment and periodically thereafter
- Doesn't lower cholesterol as well as other drugs like statins
- Can cause tooth discoloration or tooth decay
- May need to take vitamins A, D, E, K, folic acid, or iron if you're taking this medication for a long time
- Might not be a good option if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines
Pharmacist tips for Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
- Take cholestyramine (Prevalite) with meals.
- Take other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine (Prevalite).
- Make sure you use the measuring cup or scoop that was provided to you with your medication. Using household spoons may not be accurate.
- Don't take the powder alone (in its dry form); always dissolve it in liquid before taking it. Place contents of 1 single dose packet or 1 scoopful of medication in a cup (2 to 6 ounces) of water or non-carbonated drink and mix well.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in fiber to prevent constipation.
- Don't sip or hold this medication in your mouth for a long time, because it can make your teeth turn a different color, wear away your tooth enamel, or cause your teeth to decay.
- Let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding. This medication may lower the amount of daily vitamins that your body needs during pregnancy.
- The packets of powder contain phenylalanine. Phenylalanine can be harmful to patients with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Common questions about 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 you take cholestyramine (Prevalite) to avoid any potential absorption issues.
You shouldn't stop taking this medication unless told to stop by a healthcare provider. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your blood cholesterol levels might go back up again.
Closely follow your healthcare provider's dosing instructions. Generally, cholestyramine (Prevalite) is taken once or twice per day. Mix the powder with at least 2 to 6 ounces of water or another non-carbonated beverage.
Constipation is a very common side effect of cholestyramine (Prevalite) because of the way the medication works. Normally, bile acids in the intestine help control how much water is in your stool. By binding to extra bile acid in the intestines, this medication may remove some water in your stool, causing constipation. As a result, it's important to drink plenty of water and include fiber in your diet in order to lower your chances of becoming constipated.
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) is currently only available as a powder form. There are other bile acid type medications, such as colestipol (Colestid) and colesevelam (Welchol), that are available in a pill form.
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
BOWEL OBSTRUCTION OR BLOCKAGE
- Risk factors: Blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines)
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) can lead to constipation. This can lead to serious problems, like bowel obstruction, in people with digestive tract issues, such as bile duct, stomach, or intestinal blockage. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience really bad stomach pain or constipation while taking this medication.
GREATER RISK OF BLEEDING
Using cholestyramine (Prevalite) for a long time can cause bleeding. Report any signs of bleeding to your healthcare provider right away. Some examples include throwing up blood, blood in your urine, black, tarry stools, bleeding gums, or bruises without a reason.
CONSTIPATION
- Risk factors: Heart disease | High dose | Older than 60 years
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) can cause or worsen constipation. Drinking more liquids, exercising, or adding fiber to your diet may help. Talk with your healthcare provider about taking a stool softener or laxative if constipation is a concern for you.
TEETH PROBLEMS
Sipping this medication or holding it in your mouth for a long time can make your teeth turn a different color, wear away your tooth enamel, or cause your teeth to decay. Make sure you brush your teeth and see a dentist often.
INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS
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. Check with your provider or pharmacist if you need to space any of your medications apart from each other when taking cholestyramine (Prevalite).
LOW FOLIC ACID LEVELS
Using cholestyramine (Prevalite) for a long time can lead to low levels of folic acid in your blood. Folic acid helps form red and white blood cells. Signs of low folic acid levels include feeling tired, weakness, pale skin, loss of appetite, fast heartbeat, and shortness of breath. You may need to take folic acid supplements to help prevent this. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns.
VITAMIN INTERACTIONS
Because cholestyramine (Prevalite) works by binding to bile acid in the gut, it can also lead to less absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E, and K. Talk to your healthcare provider about taking vitamin supplements or seeing if any of your doses need to be adjusted. If you take a daily vitamin, it's recommended to take it 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after cholestyramine (Prevalite).
PHENYLKETONURIA (PKU)
- Risk factors: History of phenylketonuria
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) contains phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), this drug may not be right for you, since it can cause dangerous complications. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if there are safer options for you.
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) dosage
Can of powder| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 378g of 4g/dose | 1 can | $29.89 | $29.89 |
| 348.6g of 4g/dose | 1 can | $20.71 | $20.71 |
| 368.76g of 4g/dose | 1 can | $29.27 | $29.27 |
| 239.4g of 4g/dose | 2 cans | $51.11 | $25.56 |
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 packets of 9g | 1 carton | $55.06 | $55.06 |
| 60 packets of 8.3g | 1 carton | $55.06 | $55.06 |
Packet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9g of 4g/dose | 60 packets | $55.06 | $0.92 |
Typical dosage for Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
The recommended starting dose is 1 pouch or 1 level scoopful by mouth once or twice a day with a meal. Each pouch or scoopful is 4 grams.
You may slowly raise your dose up to 2 to 4 pouches or scoopfuls a day divided into two doses. The maximum daily dose is 6 pouches or scoopfuls in one day. Doses are based on how you respond to the medication.
Interactions between Cholestyramine (Prevalite) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Bezafibrate
- Deferasirox
- Dexamethasone
- Digoxin
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aceclofenac
- Anisindione
- Cephalexin
- Cerivastatin
- Diclofenac
- Dicumarol
- Digitoxin
- Ezetimibe
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Levothyroxine
- Meloxicam
- Metronidazole
- Phenprocoumon
- Propranolol
- Valproic Acid
- Warfarin
How much does Cholestyramine (Prevalite) cost?
What are alternatives to Cholestyramine (Prevalite)?
News about Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
Cholestyramine (Prevalite) images
