Questran Uses

Several conditions can be treated with Questran. Uses include the treatment of high LDL cholesterol and relief of itching caused by partial biliary obstruction. The medicine has been approved for use in children only for the itching caused by biliary obstruction and not for the reduction of high cholesterol. Off-label Questran uses include the treatment of severe diarrhea in those who have had their gallbladder removed.

 

An Overview of Questran Uses

Questran® (cholestyramine) is a medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions. Questran uses include:
 
High Cholesterol
High levels of cholesterol in the blood can accumulate on the walls of arteries (known as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries), leading to decreased blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and other areas of the body. This can greatly increase a person's risk for developing conditions such as heart disease, angina (chest pain), heart attack, and stroke.
 
Questran has been licensed for the treatment of high cholesterol, and should be used in combination with a low cholesterol diet and exercise. It works by lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Questran can be used alone or in combination with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (known more commonly as statins) to lower cholesterol.
 
In general, cholesterol treatment is aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol levels enough to reduce the risk of developing complications associated with high cholesterol (see Effects of High Cholesterol). If you are at a higher risk, you will have a lower LDL goal.
 
(Click High Cholesterol Risk to see a list of risk factors that may affect your cholesterol level and a general guideline of ideal LDL cholesterol levels.)
 
(Questran Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;