Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved cholestyramine oral suspension* to treat:
This article describes possible side effects of cholestyramine oral suspension. You can explore this overview article to learn more about cholestyramine, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.
Cholestyramine oral suspension is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Locholest, Locholest Light, and Prevalite.
* A suspension is a type of liquid mixture that has solid particles of active ingredient(s) dispersed within it. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) These solid particles do not dissolve in the liquid, so an oral suspension should be shaken or stirred to fully disperse the active ingredient(s) before swallowing it.
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More common side effects of cholestyramine
Cholestyramine oral suspension may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of cholestyramine oral suspension include:
- constipation*
- discomfort or pain in the abdomen
- gas
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
These side effects were reported in studies of cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cholestyramine in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of cholestyramine
Cholestyramine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of cholestyramine oral suspension that occurred in studies include:
- constipation*
- discomfort or pain in the abdomen
- gas
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- belching
- appetite loss
- fatty stool
- bloating and fluid retention
- skin irritation or rash
- tongue irritation
- irritation around the anus
- mild allergic reaction†
For details, see the prescribing information for cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cholestyramine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies for cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light. However, it has occurred since the drug was approved for use.
Serious side effects of cholestyramine
Cholestyramine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from cholestyramine oral suspension, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with cholestyramine.
Serious side effects of cholestyramine oral suspension that occurred in studies or have been reported include:
These side effects have been reported with cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cholestyramine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies for cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light. However, it has occurred since the drug was approved for use.
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Side effects of cholestyramine in children
For children, doctors prescribe cholestyramine oral suspension to treat the following conditions:
- high cholesterol, in combination with diet
- itching caused by a partial bile duct obstruction
In studies, intestinal obstruction and high acid in the blood were more common in children than in adults. These side effects have been reported with cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light.
If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking cholestyramine oral suspension, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions about side effects of cholestyramine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of cholestyramine oral suspension. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can cholestyramine be used for diarrhea? If so, will taking the drug for diarrhea cause certain side effects?
Cholestyramine is not approved for treating diarrhea. But a doctor may still prescribe it off-label for this use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
To learn more about cholestyramine and off-label use for diarrhea, talk with your doctor.
Does cholestyramine cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, cholestyramine oral suspension may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or they may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with cholestyramine oral suspension include:
These side effects have been reported with cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of cholestyramine may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cholestyramine in detail” section below.
Side effects of cholestyramine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of cholestyramine oral suspension.
Constipation
In studies, constipation was the most common side effect in people taking cholestyramine. This side effect is usually mild.
Constipation has been reported with cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light.
With constipation, you experience dry, hard stools. Or you pass fewer than three stools in 1 week. Other symptoms may include experiencing straining or pain during a bowel movement and feeling full even after a bowel movement.
Certain factors can raise the risk of constipation with cholestyramine oral suspension. These include having preexisting constipation.
Ways to manage
To help lower the risk of constipation, your doctor may start you on a low dose of cholestyramine. Then, if you don’t have side effects, they’ll slowly increase your dose over time.
If you experience symptoms of constipation, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend trying a treatment for constipation, such as:
- drinking plenty of water and consuming fiber, either through diet or by using a fiber supplement
- trying an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, such as milk of magnesia, or a stool softener like docusate sodium (Colace)
If you’re still having constipation despite home or OTC remedies, let your doctor know. They may suggest stopping treatment with cholestyramine.
Low vitamin D level and osteoporosis
Low vitamin D and osteoporosis have rarely been reported in people taking cholestyramine. This side effect may be mild or serious.
These side effects have been reported with cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light.
Vitamin D is important for numerous body functions, including immune function and bone health. Having low vitamin D can cause weak bones and osteoporosis. Having weak bones can raise your risk for bone fractures (breaks). Other symptoms of low vitamin D include fatigue and body aches or pains.
Ways to manage
Your doctor may suggest using a vitamin D supplement while you’re taking cholestyramine. They may also order blood tests throughout your treatment to check your vitamin D level.
If you have concerns about low vitamin D and osteoporosis, tell your doctor. They can discuss ways for you to lower your risk of these side effects.
High level of acid in the blood
Metabolic acidosis (high level of acid in the blood) has rarely been reported in people taking cholestyramine. This side effect may be mild or serious.
This side effect has been reported with cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light.
Symptoms of metabolic acidosis caused by cholestyramine can include:
- shallow, rapid breathing
- nausea and vomiting
- sleepiness
- confusion
- headache
Certain factors can increase the risk of acidosis with cholestyramine oral suspension. These include:
- kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease
- dehydration
- taking the medication spironolactone (Aldactone)
- being under 18 years of age
Ways to manage
If you think you’re experiencing acidosis from taking cholestyramine, seek urgent medical attention. Go to the closest urgent care center or emergency room. Promptly treating this condition can help stop it from becoming worse and causing other complications. After symptoms are treated, your doctor will decide whether you should continue taking cholestyramine.
For some people, cholestyramine oral suspension can cause an allergic reaction.
It’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies for cholestyramine oral suspension and cholestyramine oral suspension light. However, it has occurred since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to cholestyramine oral suspension, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for cholestyramine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking cholestyramine oral suspension.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take cholestyramine if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether cholestyramine oral suspension is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking cholestyramine oral suspension, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- existing constipation or a repeated history of constipation
- kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease
- dehydration, especially a repeated history of dehydration
- taking the medication spironolactone (Aldactone)
- low vitamin A level
- low vitamin K level
- low vitamin D level
- problems with bleeding
- osteopenia or osteoporosis
- past allergic reaction to cholestyramine
Cholestyramine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether cholestyramine oral suspension should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Cholestyramine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether cholestyramine oral suspension should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Cholestyramine oral suspension is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with cholestyramine oral suspension.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of cholestyramine oral suspension. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of cholestyramine compare with those of other drugs used to treat high cholesterol, such as statins?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than others?
- Does my risk of constipation from taking cholestyramine decrease as I continue taking it?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
