How Do Bile Acid Sequestrants Work?

Bile acid sequestrants or resins are medications for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol often called “bad” cholesterol in the blood. They bind to bile acids and prevent reabsorption of bile acids in the intestines. This interrupts the circulation of bile acids between the liver and gut and forces the liver to produce more bile acids. The liver produces bile acids by metabolizing cholesterol (LDL) present in the cells, and thus, intracellular cholesterol (LDL) is reduced. Bile acid sequestrants may promote apoprotein A1 synthesis and increase good cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein levels.

In addition to hypercholesterolemia, bile acid sequestrants are used in conditions such as:

• Severe diarrhea
• Severe liver disease
  • Cirrhosis (inflammation and fibrous thickening leading to permanent damage to liver tissue)
  • Pruritis (itching of the skin caused by an accumulation of bile acids in the skin)
• Hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroxine hormone by the thyroid gland)
• Type 2 diabetes

Common side effects of bile acid sequestrants include:

• Constipation
• Bloating
• Heartburn
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Gallstones
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Drug names include:

• Cholestyramine
• Colesevelam
• Colestid
• Colestipol
• LoCholest
• Prevalite
• Questran
• Questran Light
• WelChol