Drug Interactions:
Bile Acid Sequestrant Drugs
The bile acid sequestrant drugs are among the earliest class of medications used to lower cholesterol. They are seldom prescribed today because of their many side effects.
Medications in the bile acid sequestrant family include cholestyramine resin (Locholest, Prevalite, Questran, Questran Light) and colestipol hydrochloride (Colestid) among others.
Many Nutrients
Supplementation Likely Helpful
Bile acid sequestrants have been reported to impair the absorption of numerous nutrients, including calcium, folate, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and vitamin E.1,2 It appears, however, that only folate supplementation may be needed by individuals on long-term therapy with bile acid sequestrants. Although the bile acid sequestrant used in the studies interfered with the absorption of the other nutrients, their levels remained in the normal range. Just to be safe, though, making sure to get enough vitamin E and vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) would make sense.
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Last reviewed March 2002 by Medical Review Board
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