CholestyramineDose, contraindications and adverse effects for Cats, Dogs and Pigs.

Bile-acid-binding resin; used to trap toxins/drugs undergoing enterohepatic recirculation and lower cholesterol. Cholestyramine may be used to treat toxicoses of enterohepatically recirculated agents (eg, cholecalciferol,2,3 amiodarone, digoxin, NSAIDs,4 vincristine). In a case report of a dog with cyanotoxin (blue-green algae, microcystin) exposure, clinical improvement was noted within 48 hours of cholestyramine administration. Cholestyr- amine may also be beneficial in patients with diarrhea caused b

Cholestyramine is a nonabsorbable resin that binds to anionic bile acids in the small intestines in exchange for cholestyramine’s chloride ions to form an insoluble complex that prevents enterohepatic recirculation of bile acids and thus reduces serum bile acid concentrations.

Cholestyramine should not be used in patients that are hypersensitive to it or with GI or complete biliary obstruction or biliary cirrhosis. Cholestyramine may increase triglyceride concentrations and is contraindicated in humans with triglyceride concentrations greater than 300 mg/dL. The drug should be used with caution in patients with renal insufficiency, volume depletion, mild hypertriglyceridemia, and cholelithiasis.

Veterinary use is limited, and little is known regarding the adverse effects of cholestyramine in veterinary patients. In a study of healthy beagles, a 14-day course of cholestyramine was well tolerated but increased fecal output and decreased nutrient digestibility were observed. Constipation is the most common adverse effect in humans and may lead to fecal impaction. Other adverse effects include bloating, flatulence, steatorrhea, nausea, and anorexia.

■ Clinical efficacy ■ Adverse effects ■ Prothrombin time with long-term use