Indications: diarrhoea associated with ileal disease, ileal resection and post vagotomy diarrhoea, pruritis in liver disease. Adjunctive therapy to diet for reduction of elevated serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Cautions: Bleeding tendencies related to vitamin K deficiency, folic acid deficiency. Fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, hyperchloremic acidosis, osteoporosis.pregnancy, breast feeding.

Monitor serum lipids frequently during first few months of therapy and periodically thereafter.

Contra-indications: Hypersensitivity to bile acid sequestering resins; complete biliary obstruction.

Side Effects: Abdominal pain, discomfort, and distention; aggravation of hemorrhoids; anorexia; bleeding; constipation (can be severe and at times accompanied by fecal impaction); diarrhea; eructation; flatulence; nausea; steatorrhea; vomiting.

Drug Interactions: This medicine can interfere with the absorption of other medicines from the gut if they are taken at the same time. To avoid this, any other medicines should be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking colestyramine.

If you are taking any of the following medicines your treatment should be monitored, as colestyramine may alter the effects of these medicines, even if the above advice regarding timing of doses is followed.

Dose: Diarrhoea, initially 12-24 g daily mixed with water in 1-4 divided doses, subsequently adjusted as required, max. 36 g daily, Children 6-12 .

Pruritis, 4-8 g daily. Mixed with water, Children 6-12