Bile-acid sequestrants adverse effects

Cholestyramine and colestipol are bile acid sequestrants that enhance cholesterol loss into the feces, thereby stimulating new bile salt synthesis, which lowers liver cholesterol levels and consequently plasma LDL levels. Their adverse effects are also listed. 

The bile acid sequestrants, cholestyramine and colestipol, reduce LDL-cholesterol by up to 30% and their use is supported by RCTs [69]. However, they are not well-tolerated chiefly because of gastro intestinal adverse effects. In patients already on multiple drug therapies timing of administration of resins is difficult as they can interfere with the absorption of other drugs. They need to be given at least 1 h before or at least 4 h after other medications. 

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