Molecule

Cholestyramine

Bile Acid Sequestrant

Available on requestCardiology

Presentations: 14
Brands: 3
Manufacturers: 3
Available from stock: 0

Cholestyramine is a bile acid sequestrant 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. MedsAcross supplies Cholestyramine for export from India to licensed hospitals, importers and physicians acting for named patients, with the documents each country requires.

Information from the US FDA prescribing information, retrieved 12 November 2026. Not yet medically reviewed.How we review

Key facts

Pharmacological class: Bile Acid Sequestrant, Bile-acid Binding Activity
ATC classification: C10AC01 Cholestyramine · Bile acid sequestrant
US FDA first approval: 3 August 1973
EU status: Not recorded
Orphan designation: Not recorded
WHO essential medicine: Not recorded
India (CDSCO): Not yet confirmed against CDSCO approval lists
Routes: Oral
Dosage forms: Powder for oral suspension, Oral powder
Identifiers: UNII 4B33BGI082RxCUI 2447CAS 11041-12-6DrugBank DB01432Q418006

Clinical information

From the regulator-approved product information. Each section names its source.

Uses

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.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

How it works

and an effect on serum lipids similar to that of cholestyramine for oral suspension) plus either nicotinic acid or lovastatin. When compared to conventional measures, intensive lipid-lowering combination therapy significantly reduced the frequency of progression and increased the frequency of regression of coronary atherosclerotic lesions in patients with or at risk for coronary artery disease.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Dosing overview

The recommended starting adult dose for cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder is one pouch or one level scoopful 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. Four grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin is contained in each measured dose of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder as follows: Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder 5.5 grams 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 six pouches or scoopfuls of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder (24 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin).

Source: US FDA prescribing information

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.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Warnings and precautions

PHENYLKETONURICS: CHOLESTYRAMINE FOR ORAL SUSPENSION USP LIGHT POWDER CONTAINS 28 MG PHENYLALANINE PER GRAM DOSE.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Side effects

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, and 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.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Storage

Store between 20º to 25ºC (68º to 77ºF).

Source: US FDA prescribing information

For healthcare professionals and buyers. This is not medical advice. Treatment decisions belong to the prescriber.

All presentations

14 presentations of Cholestyramine, sorted by availability.

Medicine	Manufacturer	Register	Availability
Cholestyramine 4 g/9 g powder for oral suspensionOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/5.7 g powder for oral suspensionOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/5 g powder for oral suspensionOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/8.78 g powder for oral suspensionOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/5.5 g powder for oral suspensionOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/5.718 g powder for oral suspensionOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Prevalite 4 g/5.5 g powder for oral suspensionOral	Upsher-Smith Laboratories	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/4.8 g powder for oral suspensionOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/8.3 g powder for oral suspensionOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Questran 4 g/9 g powder for oral suspensionOral	Par Health	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/5.7 g oral powderOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine 4 g/9 g oral powderOralGeneric name	—	US FDA	Available on request
Cholestyramine Light 4 g/4.8 g powder for oral suspensionOral	TAGI Pharma	US FDA	Available on request
Questran 4 g/5 g powder for oral suspensionOral	Par Health	US FDA	Available on request

Brands by market

3 brand names across 1 markets.

Brand names by country

United States

Cholestyramine Light Prevalite Questran

Manufacturers

Regulatory status

Approval facts from US FDA, EMA and CDSCO data, and registration status by country where we hold register data.

Register	Status	Source
US FDA	First approved 3 August 1973	Drugs@FDA
EU (EMA)	Not recorded	—
India (CDSCO)	Not yet confirmed against CDSCO approval lists	—
United States	Registered	US FDA (NDC directory, openFDA)Checked 12 November 2026

Conditions

Conditions linked to Cholestyramine in public data. This is not a list of approved uses, see the clinical information.

Arteriosclerosis Coronary artery disease Familial hyperlipidemia Hypertriglyceridemia Pseudomembranous colitis

Questions and answers

Is Cholestyramine available for export from India?

Yes, on request. MedsAcross lists 14 presentations of Cholestyramine and sources them for licensed hospitals, importers and physicians against valid import documents.

What brand names does Cholestyramine have?

The catalogue lists 3 brand names for Cholestyramine, including Cholestyramine Light, Prevalite, Questran.

Is Cholestyramine approved by the US FDA?

Yes. The US FDA first approved Cholestyramine on 3 August 1973, according to Drugs@FDA.

Does Cholestyramine need cold chain shipping?

No listed presentation of Cholestyramine is recorded as needing a cold chain. Storage conditions are shown on each presentation page.

Which ATC class is Cholestyramine in?

Cholestyramine is classified under ATC code C10AC01 (Cholestyramine).

References

CHOLESTYRAMINE prescribing information (Zydus Lifesciences). U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Retrieved 28 October 2026

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