Cholestyramine and Constipation: What Users Say

• Var...
• October 30, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Had stomach and bowel issues since my teen years, unpredictable and no warnings, tests done, nothing found, had gall bladder removed in my early 60s and made stomach and bowel issues ten times worse. Started taking Prevalite (cholestyramine) 1 pack a day and I can finally eat without cramping and bowel issues within two hours after eating. I take it in the morning with orange juice. I notice a little bloating but nothing else. If I miss a dose, the diarrhea comes back with a vengeance. I drink plenty of fluid to prevent constipation. This medication has changed my life. Im 69 so if I need to take it the rest of my life, its okay. Its better than being bathroom bound!"

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Reading so many of everyone's experiences reminded me of so many of my own horrible memories. Never wanting to go out to eat, having to take an Imodium before and after eating out, looking for the bathrooms at each stop just in case, never wanting to go too far out away from the house, road trips were horrible and my job requires a lot of driving, lots of abdominal pain and sometimes having to do a lot of cleaning up. When I first started taking this I actually stopped after about 2 weeks because the normal BMs and lack of abdominal pain I confused with constipation...it was such a different, weird feeling to be normal. I am back on it and once again am getting the relief I got in the beginning."

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2012

Cholestyramine for Crohn's Disease "It is early days yet (under one month) since I commenced treatment with Questran Light, but there has been a marked decrease in daily bowel activity. I have had Crohn's for the past 18 years, and all other medications have proved to be largely ineffective. I have been concerned about the potentially dangerous side effects that some medicines that are prescribed for this condition may have. Since starting this course of treatment, my intake of codeine and Lomotil/Imodium has been minimal. While constipation has occurred, it has been manageable. Without going down this track, with four identified strictures, I was looking down the barrel of surgery. I am moderately confident that at least so far this has been a positive move."

• Goo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2025

For High Cholesterol "My cholesterol had been around 200, right at the top of the recommended level for safety, and as I got older, it was trending up. It reached 280, and my Dr. said we need to do something, so he started me on statins. For two weeks, I took them, and my muscles felt weak, and in general, I had low energy... it prevented me from exercising, which I had been doing 5 times a week. So I asked my Dr. how it was helpful that the statin makes me stop exercising? He stopped the statin immediately and started me on cholestyramine. It was easy to take (twice a day, 1.5 scoops mixed in water... initially, 1 scoop was tried but wasn't getting enough results) and had no apparent side effects, except a certain amount of constipation. My Dr. recommended I drink more water when dosing, and that took care of the constipation. My cholesterol numbers are now 178-199 consistently. I've been on it for 3 years now. It has been a great intervention with almost no bad side effects."

• Cua...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2017

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "For anyone that's had their gallbladder removed, you all know the pain that comes after. I was first prescribed this by accident because the doctor thought I had a bile problem associated with gallbladder surgery. He prescribed one scoop a day with water. It helped, but I took it for years, and if I missed a day, I felt it. A few years later, I went to a new doctor who knew what this was, and he totally changed how and when to take it. As soon as I went in to see him, he had a half-filled water bottle, and I would fill the rest with 8 scoops. I would do this for 3 days, after that, I would take 4 scoops for 4 days. It seemed crazy, but it worked. After 3 days, I became constipated and have never had to take it again."

• Juj...
• February 9, 2018

For Dumping Syndrome "Had my gallbladder removed 7 years ago. Prior to that, suffered from bouts of diarrhea and constipation for almost 20 years. About a year and a half ago, I started having horrible cramps, uncontrollable diarrhea, the worst ever. I thought it was anxiety or something worse. GI diagnosed in 1 minute as bile dumping syndrome. I've been playing with skipping the PM packet, depending on where I am and what I'm eating. Had some constipation issues once or twice, so keep adjusting. Plan to discuss how to take and keep things moving properly. This drug has saved my life! I could not go anywhere, forget dating, without knowing exactly where the restrooms were, take long car trips with friends, travel. Just depressing. I really wish more general MDs knew about this. The final month before I saw the GI was excruciating, and the fix was so simple!"

• Sel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "I suffered from morning diarrhea up to 3-4 bouts after eating and drinking coffee for breakfast. I found cutting out the coffee lessened the intensity, I think caffeine stimulates bile production, but I love my coffee. My doctor told me for years I could control my problem with a high-fiber diet-wrong! I finally confronted him with a medical article about cholestyramine, and he agreed to put me on it. My insurance covers all generics. My symptoms have cleared up, but I am still trying to fine-tune timing and dosage in order to be consistent between loose and constipated stools. Reading the comments here has given me a few ideas to try. Maybe earlier in the morning. I tried two doses (evening & morning), and it was too much, but one dose in the morning was not quite enough. Any ideas???"

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "Works great for me, tightened stools up. I did reduce the dosage to 3/4 scoop to avoid constipation. Eat lots of fiber, also drink water often. Also seems to have fixed gut gurgles and uncomfortable gut settling. Everything smooth."

• Hea...
• July 9, 2016

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "I've been suffering with terrible diarrhea after gallbladder removal surgery for 4 months. This surgery and diarrhea have made me lose over 40 pounds thus far and taken my appetite. I've taken Levsen, Lomotil, and those medications only helped somewhat with the terrible cramping I had, and Lomotil would make me get constipation some days, and other days the same dosage did nothing to help the terrible dumping syndrome symptoms. I was prescribed the orange-flavored packets twice before my heaviest meals. I'm not immediately dumping my meals like I previously was, and my appetite is returning. Big win for me! I'm still fine-tuning my dosage, and having some diarrhea, so I can't give a 10."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2022

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "Gallbladder removed early 2019. Started having severe diarrhea soon after. After two years and many visits to my doctor, I was told about this medication by a retired doctor. I started on it about a year ago, and the diarrhea ceased almost immediately. I was angry I suffered two years with diarrhea that my doctor had never mentioned this as a possible solution. I started taking one pack a day of the powder, and it worked well. I had occasional constipation, and I would stop taking the powder for one day to help clear my system. In the last couple of months, I have noticed diarrhea coming back, and it appears the medication dose I’m taking needs to be adjusted. I will be going to two packs per day of the powder, and hopefully, this will get me back on the right track. All I can tell you is that life when I was not taking the medication was very miserable, and I am able to function normally again. I’m 71, male, 240 lbs, 6’"

• nan...
• January 5, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I started taking this powder about 3 months ago. I am up to taking 1/2 of an envelope. A whole envelope made me constipated."

• chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2016

Cholestyramine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I developed a rash all over my back and shoulders. I also had dizzy turns. I became constipated, and the pain from passing motions was worse than my original bouts of constant diarrhea."

• Shi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2017

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "Have a hard time getting the right amount to keep between diarrhea and constipation."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "This drug is a miracle for controlling my IBS. I just have to deal with constipation, which is okay with me."