Cholestyramine Alternatives

Several Cholestyramine alternatives are often equally as effective in treating high cholesterol. Other forms of bile acid sequestrants include colesevelam or colestipol, as well as other brand name cholestyramine drugs, such as Questran. Cholestyramine alternatives in other drug classes include fibrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, statins, and niacin. These may be combined with lifestyle changes, such as a low cholesterol diet and exercise, to help reduce cholesterol.

Cholestyramine Medicine

Cholestyramine Alternatives: An Overview

Lifestyle changes are typically the first line of treatment for lowering cholesterol. However, for some people, treating high cholesterol with a low cholesterol diet, weight control, and exercise are not enough. If lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient, your doctor can prescribe medications. One such medicine is the generic drug Cholestyramine. For most people, Cholestyramine is quite effective in lowering cholesterol and is also generally well tolerated. However, Cholestyramine side effects can occur, and people may wish to consider Cholestyramine alternatives. These alternatives could include other bile acid sequestrants or other cholesterol medicines.

Cholestyramine Alternatives: Other Bile Acid Sequestrants

Cholestyramine is part of a class of drugs known as bile acid sequestrants.

It works by binding to bile acids in the intestines, preventing them from being reabsorbed back into the body. Bile acids are made in the liver from broken-down cholesterol. Therefore, removing these substances from your body helps to lower your blood cholesterol. Cholestyramine can lower both total and LDL cholesterol.

Besides Cholestyramine, there are other bile acid sequestrants available by prescription. These include:

Colesevelam (WelChol^®)
Colestipol (Colestid^®).

There are also other brand name cholestyramine products, including Questran^®, Questran^® Light, Prevalite^®, and LoCholest^®.

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