Drugplain

Cholestyramine Light 4 g/4.8g

Cholestyramine · POWDER, FOR SUSPENSION · TAGI Pharma, Inc.

No Recall History
Plain English

Cholestyramine Light is a prescription powder that you mix with liquid and take by mouth to help lower cholesterol by binding bile acids in your digestive system. It belongs to a class of medications called bile acid sequestrants.

Key Facts

Brand Name
Cholestyramine Light
Generic Name
Cholestyramine
NDC Code (Product)
51224-009
Manufacturer
TAGI Pharma, Inc.
Strength
4 g/4.8g
Dosage Form
POWDER, FOR SUSPENSION
Route
ORAL
Marketing Status
Application #
ANDA209599
Drug Class
Bile Acid Sequestrant [EPC]
Marketing Start
11/12/2020

Recall History

No Recall History

Side Effects Reported to FDA

FDA FAERS database · These are reported events, not confirmed side effects

diarrhoea1,205 reports
off label use964 reports
drug ineffective778 reports
fatigue669 reports
nausea569 reports
arthralgia499 reports
headache422 reports
weight decreased397 reports
abdominal pain379 reports
pain365 reports

Full Prescribing Information

Source: FDA Drug Label (SPL)For healthcare professionals

Indications & Usage

INDICATIONS AND USAGE 1) Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol) who do not respond adequately to diet. Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder may be useful to lower LDL cholesterol in patients who also have hypertriglyceridemia, but it is not indicated where hypertriglyceridemia is the abnormality of most concern. Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be a component of multiple risk factor intervention in those individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Treatment should begin and continue with dietary therapy specific for the type of hyperlipoproteinemia determined prior to initiation of drug therapy. Excess body weight may be an important factor and caloric restriction for weight normalization should be addressed prior to drug therapy in the overweight. Prior to initiating therapy with cholestyramine resin, secondary causes of hypercholesterolemia (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, hypoth

Dosage & Administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended starting adult dose for Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder is one pouch or one level scoopful (5.7 grams of Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder contains 4 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin) once or twice a day. The recommended maintenance dose for Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder is 2 to 4 pouches or scoopfuls daily (8 to 16 grams anhydrous cholestyramine resin) divided into two doses. It is recommended that increases in dose be gradual with periodic assessment of lipid/lipoprotein levels at intervals of not less than 4 weeks. The maximum recommended daily dose is 6 pouches or scoopfuls of Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder (24 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin). The suggested time of administration is at mealtime but may be modified to avoid interference with absorption of other medications. Although the recommended dosing schedule is twice daily, Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder may be administered in 1 to 6 doses per day. Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder should not be taken in its dry form. Always mix the dry powde

Warnings

WARNINGS PHENYLKETONURICS: CHOLESTYRAMINE FOR ORAL SUSPENSION, USP LIGHT POWDER CONTAINS 22.4 mg PHENYLALANINE PER 5.7 GRAM DOSE.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension, USP Light powder is contraindicated in patients with complete biliary obstruction where bile is not secreted into the intestine and in those individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components.

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions Cholestyramine resin may delay or reduce the absorption of concomitant oral medication such as phenylbutazone, warfarin, thiazide diuretics (acidic) or propranolol (basic), as well as tetracycline, penicillin G, phenobarbital, thyroid and thyroxine preparations, estrogens and progestins and digitalis. Interference with the absorption of oral phosphate supplements has been observed with another positivelycharged bile acid sequestrant. Cholestyramine resin may interfere with the pharmacokinetics of drugs that undergo enterohepatic circulation. The discontinuance of cholestyramine resin could pose a hazard to health if a potentially toxic drug such as digitalis has been titrated to a maintenance level while the patient was taking cholestyramine resin. Because cholestyramine binds bile acids, cholestyramine resin may interfere with normal fat digestion and absorption and thus may prevent absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K. When cholestyramine resin is given for long periods of time, concomitant supplementation with water-miscible (or parenteral) forms of fat soluble vitamins should be considered. SINCE CHOLESTYRAMINE RESIN MAY BIND OTHER DRUGS GI

Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reaction is constipation. When used as a cholesterol-lowering agent predisposing factors for most complaints of constipation are high dose and increased age (more than 60 years old). Most instances of constipation are mild, transient and controlled with conventional therapy. Some patients require a temporary decrease in dosage or discontinuation of therapy. Less Frequent Adverse Reactions - Abdominal discomfort and/or pain, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, eructation, anorexia, steatorrhea, bleeding tendencies due to hypoprothrombinemia (Vitamin K deficiency) as well as Vitamin A (one case of night blindness reported) and D deficiencies, hyperchloremic acidosis in children, osteoporosis, rash and irritation of the skin, tongue and perianal area. Rare reports of intestinal obstruction, including two deaths, have been reported in pediatric patients. Occasional calcified material has been observed in the biliary tree, including calcification of the gallbladder, in patients to whom cholestyramine resin has been given. However, this may be a manifestation of the liver disease and not drug related. One patient experienced biliary colic on

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cholestyramine Light used for?

Cholestyramine Light is a prescription powder that you mix with liquid and take by mouth to help lower cholesterol by binding bile acids in your digestive system. It belongs to a class of medications called bile acid sequestrants.

Is Cholestyramine Light a controlled substance?

Cholestyramine Light is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA.

What is the generic name for Cholestyramine Light?

The generic name for Cholestyramine Light is Cholestyramine. There are 11 other brand versions of Cholestyramine.

What is the NDC code for Cholestyramine Light 4 g/4.8g?

The NDC (National Drug Code) for Cholestyramine Light 4 g/4.8g is 51224-009, listed by TAGI Pharma, Inc..