Taking cholestyramine can help reduce your cholesterol and triglycerides, which reduces your risk for heart disease. However, it is important to avoid certain foods while you are taking this medication. Fried foods, high-fat cuts of meat and buttery pastries can increase your cholesterol levels and interfere with the effectiveness of cholestyramine. Consuming dairy products too soon after taking cholestyramine can also interfere with the medication’s ability to bind to bile acids.
A dietary plan that is rich in low-fat, whole grains and fresh fruits can provide healthy nutrients while allowing you to enjoy a variety of foods without compromising the efficacy of your cholestyramine treatment. You can also consume healthy fats from avocados, nuts and seeds to get essential fatty acids that support cardiovascular health.
Always follow your doctor’s dietary instructions while you are taking cholestyramine. This medication can cause constipation, so it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Cholestyramine is a type of bile acid sequestrant that works by binding to bile acids and preventing their reabsorption from the digestive tract, which reduces cholesterol levels and triglycerides in the bloodstream. It is also used to treat itching caused by a certain type of liver/bile duct disease (partial biliary obstruction). It may be prescribed for other purposes as well.