Cholestyramine
Common brand names:
QuestranCholestyramine is bile acid sequestrant—a class of drugs that binds bile acids, prevents their reabsorption from the digestive system, and reduces cholesterol levels. Cholestyramine is one of many drugs used to lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol.
Bile acids are produced in the liver from cholesterol and secreted into the small intestine to help with the absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol. Bile acid sequestrants bind bile acids in the small intestine and carry them out of the body. This causes the body to use more cholesterol to make more bile acids, which are secreted into the small intestine, bound to bile acid sequestrants, and carried out of the body. The end result is lower cholesterol levels. Bile acid sequestrants also prevent absorption of some dietary cholesterol.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
Supportive Interactions
8- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Cholestyramine
Beta-Carotene
Use of colestipol for six months has been shown to significantly lower blood levels of carotenoids including beta-carotene.
Beta-CaroteneCholestyramine- Probstfield JL, Lin T, Peters J, Hunninghake DB. Carotenoids and vitamin A: The effect of hypocholesterolemic agents on serum levels. Metabolism 1985;34:88-91.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Cholestyramine
Calcium
Bile acid sequestrants may prevent absorption of folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Other medications and vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or four to six hours after bile acid sequestrants for optimal absorption. Animal studies suggest calcium and zinc may also be depleted by taking cholestyramine.
CalciumCholestyramine- Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1997, 221-2 [review].
- Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic Agents, Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1997, 171i-l.
- Watkins DW, Cassidy MM, Khalafi R, Vahouny GV. Calcium and zinc balances in rats chronically fed the bile salt-sequestrant cholestyramine (Questran). Fed Proc 1983;42:819.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Cholestyramine
Folic Acid
Bile acid sequestrants may prevent absorption of folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Other medications and vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or four to six hours after bile acid sequestrants for optimal absorption. Animal studies suggest calcium and zinc may also be depleted by taking cholestyramine.
Folic AcidCholestyramine- Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1997, 221-2 [review].
- Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic Agents, Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1997, 171i-l.
- Watkins DW, Cassidy MM, Khalafi R, Vahouny GV. Calcium and zinc balances in rats chronically fed the bile salt-sequestrant cholestyramine (Questran). Fed Proc 1983;42:819.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Cholestyramine
Vitamin A
Bile acid sequestrants may prevent absorption of folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Other medications and vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or four to six hours after bile acid sequestrants for optimal absorption. Animal studies suggest calcium and zinc may also be depleted by taking cholestyramine.
Vitamin ACholestyramine- Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1997, 221-2 [review].
- Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic Agents, Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1997, 171i-l.
- Watkins DW, Cassidy MM, Khalafi R, Vahouny GV. Calcium and zinc balances in rats chronically fed the bile salt-sequestrant cholestyramine (Questran). Fed Proc 1983;42:819.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Cholestyramine
Vitamin D
Bile acid sequestrants may prevent absorption of folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Other medications and vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or four to six hours after bile acid sequestrants for optimal absorption. Animal studies suggest calcium and zinc may also be depleted by taking cholestyramine.
Vitamin DCholestyramine- Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1997, 221-2 [review].
- Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic Agents, Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1997, 171i-l.
- Watkins DW, Cassidy MM, Khalafi R, Vahouny GV. Calcium and zinc balances in rats chronically fed the bile salt-sequestrant cholestyramine (Questran). Fed Proc 1983;42:819.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Cholestyramine
Vitamin E
Bile acid sequestrants may prevent absorption of folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Other medications and vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or four to six hours after bile acid sequestrants for optimal absorption. Animal studies suggest calcium and zinc may also be depleted by taking cholestyramine.
Vitamin ECholestyramine- Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1997, 221-2 [review].
- Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic Agents, Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1997, 171i-l.
- Watkins DW, Cassidy MM, Khalafi R, Vahouny GV. Calcium and zinc balances in rats chronically fed the bile salt-sequestrant cholestyramine (Questran). Fed Proc 1983;42:819.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Cholestyramine
Vitamin K
Bile acid sequestrants may prevent absorption of folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Other medications and vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or four to six hours after bile acid sequestrants for optimal absorption. Animal studies suggest calcium and zinc may also be depleted by taking cholestyramine.
Vitamin KCholestyramine- Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1997, 221-2 [review].
- Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic Agents, Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1997, 171i-l.
- Watkins DW, Cassidy MM, Khalafi R, Vahouny GV. Calcium and zinc balances in rats chronically fed the bile salt-sequestrant cholestyramine (Questran). Fed Proc 1983;42:819.
- Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Cholestyramine
Zinc
Bile acid sequestrants may prevent absorption of folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Other medications and vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or four to six hours after bile acid sequestrants for optimal absorption. Animal studies suggest calcium and zinc may also be depleted by taking cholestyramine.
ZincCholestyramine- Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1997, 221-2 [review].
- Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic Agents, Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1997, 171i-l.
- Watkins DW, Cassidy MM, Khalafi R, Vahouny GV. Calcium and zinc balances in rats chronically fed the bile salt-sequestrant cholestyramine (Questran). Fed Proc 1983;42:819.
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