The level of cholesterol and particular fatty compounds in your blood can be decreased with the help of cholestyramine and dietary adjustments (restricting cholesterol and fat intake). The buildup of cholesterol and lipids inside your arteries, or atherosclerosis, reduces blood flow and, as a result, the amount of oxygen delivered to your heart, brain, and other organs. The prevention of heart disease, angina (chest discomfort), strokes, and heart attacks may be aided by lowering blood cholesterol and fat levels.

You should speak with your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you want to take this drug for a different purpose.

Cholestyramine is available as a chewable bar and a powder that must be combined with food or liquids. Usually, two to four times a day are taken. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you do not understand, and carefully follow their instructions. Take cholestyramine as prescribed by your doctor. Never take it in quantities or frequencies other than those recommended by your doctor.

Try to take any other drugs at least an hour before or four hours after you take cholestyramine because cholestyramine can interfere with their absorption. Take this medication before a meal and/or at sleep.

Taking cholestyramine shouldn’t stop just because you feel better. Without consulting your doctor, do not stop taking cholestyramine. This precaution is crucial if you also take other medications since the effects of those medications may alter if you modify how much cholestyramine you take.

Do not consume the powder by itself. To take the powder, do the following:

1. Pour water, milk, heavy or pulpy fruit juices like orange juice, or any other beverage, into a glass and stir in the powder. If you use a carbonated beverage, slowly stir the powder in a big glass to prevent too much foaming.
2. Slowly sip the concoction.
3. To ensure that you consume all of the powder, rinse the drinking glass with more beverage and then drink it.

Moreover, you can combine the powder with soup, applesauce, and crushed pineapple. Do not heat the powder, even though it can be incorporated into hot recipes. You can prepare and chill doses for an entire day the night before to enhance the flavour and make it more convenient.

Chew the chewable bars completely before swallowing each bite.

While using this drug, drink lots of water.

Before taking cholestyramine,

• If you have an allergy to cholestyramine or any other medications, inform your doctor and pharmacist right away.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking, including amiodarone (Cordarone), antibiotics, anticoagulants (sometimes known as “blood thinners”) such warfarin (Coumadin), digitoxin, and tiotropium. Digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics (often known as “water pills”), iron, loperamide (Imodium), mycophenolate (Cellcept), oral diabetes drugs, phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, propranolol (Inderal), thyroid meds, and vitamins are among examples.
• Inform your doctor if you have phenylketonuria, stomach, intestinal, or gallbladder illness, angina (heart discomfort), or if you have ever had any of these conditions.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking cholestyramine.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking cholestyramine if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.

Consume a diet low in fat and cholesterol. Make sure to abide by all dietary and exercise advice given to you by your physician or nutritionist. For more dietary advice, you can also refer to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) website at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol tlc.pdf.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Cholestyramine could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Constipation
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Gas
• Uneasy stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Heartburn
• Indigestion

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Uncommon bleeding (such as bleeding from the gums or rectum)

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you react to cholestyramine, your doctor will request a few lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.