Questran (Cholestyramine) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

Pill Identifier Search

May 26, 2012

Questran

Jaundice »

What is jaundice?

Jaundice is not a disease, but rather a sign that can occur in many different diseases. Jaundice is the yellowish staining of the skin and sclerae (the whites of the eyes) that is caused by high levels in blood of a chemical bilirubin. The color of the skin and the whites of the eyes vary depending on the level of bilirubin. When the bilirubin level is mildly elevated, they are yellowish. When the bilirubin level is high, they tend to be brown.

What causes jaundice?

Bilirubin comes from red blood cells. When red blood cells get old, they are destroyed by the body. Hemoglobin, the iron-containing chemical in the red blood cells that carries oxygen, is released from the destroyed red blood cells after the iron it contains is removed. The chemical that remains in the blood after the iron is removed becomes bilirubin.

The liver has many functions. One of its functions is to produce and secrete bil...

Read the Jaundice article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Questran User Reviews >>

Questran

Cholesterol Levels Slideshow Pictures

Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow Pictures

Take the Cholesterol Quiz

font size

QUESTRAN®
(cholestyramine) for Oral Suspension USP

DRUG DESCRIPTION

QUESTRAN® (Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension USP), the chloride salt of a basic anion exchange resin, a cholesterol lowering agent, is intended for oral administration. Cholestyramine resin is quite hydrophilic, but insoluble in water. The cholestyramine resin in QUESTRAN (cholestyramine) is not absorbed from the digestive tract. Four grams of anhydrous cholestyra-mine resin is contained in 9 grams of QUESTRAN powder. Four grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin is contained in 5 grams of QUESTRAN (cholestyramine) LIGHT. It is represented by the following structural formula:

QUESTRAN® (Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension USP) Structural Formula Illustration

QUESTRAN (cholestyramine) powder contains the following inactive ingredients:acacia, citric acid, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Yellow No.6, flavor (natural and artificial Orange), polysorbate 80, propylene glycol alginate and sucrose. QUESTRAN (cholestyramine) LIGHT contains the following inactive ingredients: aspartame, citric acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red No.40, flavor (natural and artificial Orange), maltodextrin, propylene glycol alginate and xanthan gum.

What are the possible side effects of cholestyramine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

blood in your urine;
severe stomach pain;
ongoing constipation;
feeling short of breath;
black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
easy bruising or bleeding.

Less serious side effects may include:

mild constipation,...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Questran »

What are the precautions when taking cholestyramine (Questran)?

Before taking cholestyramine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: constipation, hemorrhoids, kidney disease.

Some products may contain sugar or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

Because this drug can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients (such as folic acid, fat-soluble...

Read All Potential Precautions of Questran »

Last reviewed on RxList: 6/2/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.