Several other medications can help lower cholesterol besides Questran. Alternatives include other cholesterol medications, such as statins, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, niacin, and fibrates. Other types of bile acid sequestrants include colesevelam and colestipol. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and eating a low cholesterol diet, are other Questran alternatives. However, if these changes alone are not enough, medication may need to be considered.
Questran Alternatives: An Overview
Lifestyle changes are 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 enough, your doctor can prescribe medications. One such medicine is
Questran® (
cholestyramine). For most people, Questran is quite effective in lowering
cholesterol and is also generally well tolerated. However, side effects can occur, and people may wish to consider an alternate medicine. These alternatives could include other bile acid sequestrants or other
cholesterol medicines.
Questran Alternatives: Other Bile Acid Sequestrants
Questran 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. Questran can lower both total and
LDL cholesterol.
Besides Questran, there are other bile acid sequestrants available by prescription. These include:
There are also other brand name cholestyramine products, including
Prevalite® and LoCholest
®. Questran is also available as a generic -- sold as Cholestyramine powder and Cholestyramine Light powder.
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