Cholestyramine
Ion exchange resin.
Indications
Hypercholesterolaemia, hyperlipidaemia,
pruritis←partial biliary obstruction, diarrhoea due to bile acids,
diarrhoea associated with Crohn's disease, hyperoxaluria, overdose of digitalis,
thyroxine, warfarin or tetracycline.
How taken
Mixed with water or fruit juice.
Mechanism
Increases loss of bile acids, causing more cholesterol to be
converted to bile acid. Does not work in patients with homozygous
familial hypercholesterolaemia←works by ↑ expression
of hepatocyte LDL receptors. It is not absorbed and remains in the
intestine.
Adverse effects
Bloating, severe constipation or diarrhoea, N&V, heartburn.