Questran Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Cholestyramine

CHOLESTYRAMINE (Prevalite®, Questran®, Questran® Light) absorbs and combines with bile acids, which increases removal of cholesterol from the body through the stool. It also lowers blood fats and cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. It is only for patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. It is not a cure. It also used to treat itching in patients with liver disease.

Questran Dosage

• The recommended starting dose is 1 single-dose packet or 1 level scoopful, 1 to 2 times daily. The usual maintenance dosage is a total of 2 to 4 packets or scoopfuls daily divided into 2 doses preferably at mealtime (usually before meals). The maximum daily dose is 6 packets or scoopfuls.
• Experience with the use of Questran in infants and children is limited.

Uses of Questran

• Cholestyramine is used to lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Cholestyramine is especially good at lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ("bad" cholesterol).
• It is also used to treat the itching that is associated with a blockage of the biliary tract.

Side Effects of Questran

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Questran. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal discomfort
• backache
• dental cavities
• dizziness
• fainting
• gas
• headache
• heartburn
• increased sex drive
• joint pain

Warnings and precautions before taking Questran:

• This medicine is not recommended for children who under six years of age.
• You should tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, especially angina (heart pain); stomach, intestinal, or gallbladder disease; or phenylketonuria.
• If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, then you should tell your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking cholestyramine, then call your doctor.
• If you are having surgery, including such as dental surgery, then tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking cholestyramine.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Questran, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Questran medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Questran with the following:-

• Digitalis (Lanoxin, Crystodigin)
  
• Estrogens and progestins (hormones)
  
• Oral diabetes drugs such as DiaBeta and Diabinese
  
• Penicillin G (Pentids, others)
  
• Spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone)
• Tetracycline (Achromycin V)
  
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

Overdose

When you are taking Questran, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of a cholestyramine overdose are unknown, but an intestinal blockage leading to abdominal pain might be expected.