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Medications for Lowering
Your Cholesterol
About Medications |
Statins |
Nicotinic Acid |
Fibric Acids |
Bile Acid Resins
Bile Acid Resins
What are they?
Bile acid resins bind with cholesterol-containing
bile acids in the intestines and are then eliminated in the stool. The major
effect of bile acid resins is to lower LDL-cholesterol by about 10 to 20 percent.
Small doses of resins can produce useful reductions in LDL-cholesterol. Bile acid
resins are sometimes prescribed with a statin to increase cholesterol reduction.
When these drugs are combined their effects are added together to lower
LDL-cholesterol by more than 40 percent. Cholestyramine and colestipol are the
two main bile acid resins currently available.
How are they taken?
Bile acid resins are available as powders or
tablets. They are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and 30 years
of experience with the resins indicate that their long-term use is safe. Bile
acid resin powders must be mixed with water or fruit juice and taken once or
twice daily with meals. Tablets must be taken with large amounts of fluids to
avoid gastrointestinal symptoms. Resin therapy may produce a variety of symptoms
including constipation, bloating, nausea, and gas.
Although resins are not absorbed, they may
interfere with the absorption of other medications if taken at the same time.
Talk to your doctor about the best time to take bile acid resins, especially
if you take other medications.
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