(koe le STYE ra meen) Brand: Cholestyramine Easy, Prevalite, Prevalite Packets, Questran, Questran Easy, Questran Easy Packets, Questran Packets
• You must not take this medicine if you are allergic to cholestyramine, or if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
• Till taking cholestyramine, speak your doctor if you have a thyroid mess, diabetes, kidney or liver malady, or chronic constipation.
• Avoid taking another medications at the same time you take cholestyramine. Wait at least 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine till you take any another medications.
• Cholestyramine helps reduce cholesterol (fatty acids) in the blood. Tall cholesterol is associated with an heighten risk of heart malady and atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).
• Cholestyramine is used to lower tall levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ("bad" cholesterol).
• Cholestyramine powder is also used to treat itching caused by a blockage in the bile ducts of the gallbladder.
• Cholestyramine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• You must not take this medicine if you are allergic to cholestyramine, or if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
• To create certain you can safely take cholestyramine, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:
· a thyroid disorder;
· diabetes,
· kidney disease,
· liver malady, or
· chronic constipation.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether cholestyramine will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
• Taking cholestyramine can create it harder for your body to absorb determined vitamins your body needs while you are nursing a child. Do not take cholestyramine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
• This medication may contain phenylalanine. Conversation to your doctor till using cholestyramine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Take exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not take in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
• Cholestyramine is sometimes taken up to 6 times for day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• Take cholestyramine with meals unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Mix the cholestyramine powder with 2 to 6 ounces of water or another non-carbonated beverage. You may also mix the powder with a brothy soup, crushed pineapple, or applesauce. Measure the powder using the scoop provided with your medicine. Do not use any another scoop or measuring cup to measure your cholestyramine dose.
• Drink extra fluids to prevent constipation while you are taking cholestyramine.
• It is significant to take cholestyramine regularly to get the most benefit.
• Cholestyramine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercice, and weight control. Follow your diet, medicine, and exercice routines very closely.
• While using cholestyramine, you may need blood trials at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.
• Store cholestyramine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Overdose symptoms may include severe stomach pain or constipation.
• Avoid taking another medications at the same time you take cholestyramine. Wait at least 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine till you take any another medications.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
· blood in your urine;
· severe stomach pain;
· ongoing constipation;
· feeling short of breath;
· black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
· light bruising or bleeding.
• Smaller serious side effects may include:
· mild constipation, diarrhea;
· stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, weight changes;
· bloating or gas;
· hiccups or a sour taste in your mouth;
· skin rash or itching;
· irritation of your tongue;
· itching or irritation near your rectal area;
· muscle or joint pain; or
· dizziness, spinning sensation; ringing in your ears.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• Cholestyramine can create it harder for your body to absorb another medications, such as:
· a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
· digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
· propranolol (Inderal);
· a diuretic (water pill);
· thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid);
· birth control pills or hormone replacement;
· seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
· an antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, others), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), penicillin (BeePen-VK, Pen-Vee K, Veetids, others), tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).
• This list is not complete and another drugs may interact with cholestyramine. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about cholestyramine.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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