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General Medication Fact Sheet for Questran Lite
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Questran Lite |
| Generic Name | Cholestyramine |
| Purpose | Lowers cholesterol levels, treats bile acid diarrhea, and relieves itching caused by bile buildup in the skin. |
| Mechanism of Action | Binds bile acids in the intestine, preventing their reabsorption and promoting their excretion, which lowers LDL cholesterol. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral powder |
| Available Strengths | 4 grams of cholestyramine resin per packet |
| Dosage Frequency | 1 to 6 times daily, as directed by a healthcare provider |
| Common Side Effects | Constipation, gas, bloating, stomach pain, heartburn, nausea |
| Serious Side Effects | Severe stomach pain, black or tarry stools, vomiting blood, allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing) |
| Drug Interactions | May interfere with absorption of other medications, including digoxin, warfarin, thiazide diuretics, thyroid hormones, and some antibiotics. Take other medications 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after Questran Lite. |
| Important Notes | Mix with 2-6 ounces of water or non-carbonated beverage before taking. Do not take in its dry form. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication to avoid constipation. May affect vitamin absorption (A, D, E, K). |
| Storage | Store at room temperature away from moisture and light. |
| Missed Dose | Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose. |
| Alternatives | Colestipol (Colestid), Colesevelam (Welchol), Ezetimibe (Zetia) |
Questran Lite Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colestipol (Colestid) | Bile acid sequestrant | Similar mechanism to cholestyramine, may cause similar side effects. |
| Colesevelam (Welchol) | Bile acid sequestrant | May have fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to cholestyramine and colestipol. Also used to treat type 2 diabetes. |
| Ezetimibe (Zetia) | Inhibits cholesterol absorption in the small intestine | Works differently than bile acid sequestrants; can be used in combination with statins. |
Questran Lite Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Constipation | Severe stomach pain |
| Gas | Black or tarry stools |
| Bloating | Vomiting blood |
| Stomach pain | Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing) |
| Heartburn | Vitamin deficiencies (A, D, E, K) |
| Nausea | Increased bleeding tendency (due to Vitamin K deficiency) |
Questran Lite Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowering Cholesterol | 4 grams once or twice daily | 8-16 grams daily in 1-2 divided doses | Mix with 2-6 ounces of water or non-carbonated beverage. Take with meals. |
| Treating Bile Acid Diarrhea | 4 grams once or twice daily | As directed by a healthcare provider, adjusted based on response | Mix with 2-6 ounces of water or non-carbonated beverage. Take with meals. |
| Relieving Itching | 4 grams once or twice daily | As directed by a healthcare provider, adjusted based on response | Mix with 2-6 ounces of water or non-carbonated beverage. Take with meals. |
Questran Lite Price With And Without Insurance
| Purchase Context | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| With Insurance | $25 |
| Without Insurance (U.S.) | $90 |
| From CPS | $69 |
