Questran
Hardening of the Arteries, partial biliary obstruction, Itching + 1 more
Treatment
5 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Questran
Treatment for
Hardening of the Arteries
What is Questran
Cholestyramine
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Cholestyramine is a medication that binds to bile acids in the stomach and prevents them from being absorbed into the body. It is a compound that is insoluble in water but very hydrophilic.
Cholestyramine Light
is the brand name
Questran Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Cholestyramine Light
Cholestyramine
1994
47
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Cholestyramine, commonly known as Cholestyramine Light, is approved by the FDA for 5 uses like Hardening of the Arteries and Primary Hypercholesterolemia .
Hardening of the Arteries
Helps manage Atherosclerosis
Primary Hypercholesterolemia
partial biliary obstruction
Itching
Pruritus
Effectiveness
How Questran Affects Patients
Cholesterol is the main ingredient in bile acids. Bile acids are produced during digestion to help with the breakdown of food in the intestines. Most of the bile acids are then reabsorbed back into the liver. Cholestyramine resin binds to bile acids in the intestine and prevents them from being absorbed. This forces the bile acids to be eliminated in the feces instead.
How Questran works in the body
Cholestyramine works to reduce the amount of bile acids reabsorbed in the gut. It does this by exchanging its chloride anions with bile acids in the gut, creating a resin-like substance that binds to the bile acids and prevents them from being reabsorbed. Cholestyramine is made up of a functional group attached to a copolymer, which helps it bind to the bile acids.
When to interrupt dosage
The quantity of Questran is reliant upon the diagnosed condition, including Hardening of the arteries, Itch and Primary Hypercholesterolemia. The dosage also varies in conjunction with the conveyance procedure (e.g. Oral or Powder, for suspension) listed in the table beneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Itching
, 4.0 mg/mg, 4000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 400000.0 mg, 4000.0 mg/dose
, Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for solution, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Powder, for solution - Oral, Powder, Powder; Suspension, Kit; Powder - Oral, Kit; Powder, Powder - Oral, Powder; Suspension - Oral
Hardening of the Arteries
, 4.0 mg/mg, 4000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 400000.0 mg, 4000.0 mg/dose
, Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for solution, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Powder, for solution - Oral, Powder, Powder; Suspension, Kit; Powder - Oral, Kit; Powder, Powder - Oral, Powder; Suspension - Oral
partial biliary obstruction
, 4.0 mg/mg, 4000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 400000.0 mg, 4000.0 mg/dose
, Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for solution, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Powder, for solution - Oral, Powder, Powder; Suspension, Kit; Powder - Oral, Kit; Powder, Powder - Oral, Powder; Suspension - Oral
Primary Hypercholesterolemia
, 4.0 mg/mg, 4000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 400000.0 mg, 4000.0 mg/dose
, Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for solution, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Powder, for solution - Oral, Powder, Powder; Suspension, Kit; Powder - Oral, Kit; Powder, Powder - Oral, Powder; Suspension - Oral
Warnings
Questran Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
complete biliary obstruction
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Questran.
Common Questran Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Mycophenolate mofetil
Major
Cholestyramine may increase the excretion rate of Mycophenolate mofetil which could result in a lower serum level and potentially a reduction in efficacy.
Mycophenolic acid
Major
Cholestyramine may increase the excretion rate of Mycophenolic acid which could result in a lower serum level and potentially a reduction in efficacy.
Raloxifene
Major
Cholestyramine can cause a decrease in the absorption of Raloxifene resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
(R)-warfarin
Minor
Cholestyramine can cause a decrease in the absorption of (R)-warfarin resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
(S)-Warfarin
Minor
Cholestyramine can cause a decrease in the absorption of (S)-Warfarin resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
Questran Toxicity & Overdose Risk
Taking too much of the drug may result in a blockage of the intestines or stomach.
Questran Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Questran?
68 active studies are being conducted to assess the efficacy of Questran in alleviating Itch, partial biliary obstruction and Primary Hypercholesterolemia.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Primary Hypercholesterolemia
8 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable
Itching
3 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable
partial biliary obstruction
0 Actively Recruiting
Hardening of the Arteries
17 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 2, Phase 3
Patient Q&A Section about questran
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
When should you take Questran?
"Adults: 4 grams one to two times a day before meals, then your doctor may increase your dose to 8 to 24 grams a day, divided into two to six doses.
Children: 4 grams a day."
Answered by AI
What are cholestyramine side effects?
"There are many different gastrointestinal issues that can occur, including constipation, bloating, stomach pain, gas, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Each of these can be extremely unpleasant and can have a major impact on your quality of life. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor so that you can get the proper diagnosis and treatment."
Answered by AI
How does questran work for diarrhea?
"Cholestyramine is a medication that helps lower cholesterol levels and remove excess bile acid from the intestines, which can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea associated with bile acid malabsorption."
Answered by AI
What is the drug questran used for?
"Bile acid-binding resins are a type of medication that work by removing bile acid from the body. In people with high cholesterol, this causes the liver to make more bile acid by using cholesterol in the blood, which helps to lower the cholesterol levels."
Answered by AI