Cholestyramine

What it is and how it works

Mechanism class: Bile-acid Binding Activity

Indications

INDICATIONS AND USAGE 1) Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol) who do not respond adequately to diet. Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder may be useful to lower LDL cholesterol in patients who also have hypertriglyceridemia, but it is not indicated where hypertriglyceridemia is the abnormality of most concern. Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be a component of multiple risk factor intervention in those individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Treatment should begin and continue with dietary therapy specific for the type of hyperlipoproteinemia determined prior to initiation of drug therapy. Excess body weight may be an important factor and caloric restriction for weight normalization should be addressed prior to drug therapy in the overweight.

Dosage and administration (summary)

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended starting adult dose for Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder is one pouch or one level scoopful (5.7 grams of Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder contains 4 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin) once or twice a day. The recommended maintenance dose for Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder is 2 to 4 pouches or scoopfuls daily (8 to 16 grams anhydrous cholestyramine resin) divided into two doses. It is recommended that increases in dose be gradual with periodic assessment of lipid/lipoprotein levels at intervals of not less than 4 weeks.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder is contraindicated in patients with complete biliary obstruction where bile is not secreted into the intestine and in those individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components.

Warnings and precautions

WARNINGS PHENYLKETONURICS: CHOLESTYRAMINE FOR ORAL SUSPENSION, USP LIGHT POWDER CONTAINS 22.4 mg PHENYLALANINE PER GRAM DOSE.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. The use of cholestyramine in pregnancy or lactation or by women of childbearing age requires that the potential benefits of drug therapy be weighted against the possible hazards to the mother and child.

Storage and supply

HOW SUPPLIED Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder orange flavor is available in cartons of sixty 5.7 gram pouches and in cans containing 239.4 grams. Each 5.7 gram dose of Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder contains 4 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin.

Source: Cholestyramine Light (Cholestyramine Light) — US FDA prescribing information, 2026-06-15, DailyMed. Summarised and shortened; the full label governs. Iranian registration, indications and labelling may differ.