Cholestyramine and Nausea: What Users Say

• gra...
• May 17, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I just started on the powder form of this medication. The first night I gagged on it, but managed to drink it down at around 3 pm. I felt so much nausea that I wasn't sure I wanted to continue, but the next day I felt no urgency, had a normal bowel movement, and felt no nausea. I slammed down the whole drink and didn't gag the following few nights. I'm so glad I didn't give up and continued to take cholestyramine."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2018

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "I had my gallbladder removed in April 2018. Since that day, I have had severe diarrhea, nausea, major cramping in my stomach, dizziness, and major weight loss. The only thing I could eat was flavored rice, which I have eaten for months. I contacted the surgeon, who told me he didn't do anything wrong! He never has tried to do any tests or offer any advice on what to do. I changed my general practitioner, she is a nurse practitioner, and she ran tons of lab work. All the lab work was normal. She told me about cholestyramine but told me most insurances won't pay for it. I asked her to try anyway. I went to the pharmacy to pick up other meds, and my insurance company covered it! I have been using it daily, 2 times a day, and all of the symptoms are gone! I am very happy! Thank goodness for my nurse practitioner! Shame on the surgeon who got paid for the surgery and couldn't be bothered to handle the side effects of his work!"

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2012

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Wonderful medicine! I've had only hints of minor side effects: a little morning gas, and a few minutes of minor nausea just after drinking it before bed. So glad my gastrointestinal doctor suggested it; so sorry it took 19 months after gallbladder surgery to ask him for something. Out of work but couldn't leave the house on time for job interviews (or doctor's appointments). Not a good first impression. Medicine worked the very first morning and has continued to work. What a relief!"

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2011

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, and this has worked great for me. I take it once or twice a day as needed with juice. The only side effect I noticed was one case of nausea, which passed after about an hour. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid major constipation."

• TTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2016

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "I've been in hell for over a year after having my gallbladder removed, severe diarrhea, weight loss, got down to 90 pounds, extreme abdominal pain, and nausea. I couldn't function normally. I have been on cholestyramine for two months, and the diarrhea is gone, still have abdominal pain, and some nausea. I now have bloating and really bad nerve pain, muscle aches, and headaches. The relentless nerve pain wakes me several times a night, and I feel like I'm being stabbed with an ice pick all over my body. In the morning, my muscles are painful and weak, which makes it hard to walk. The side effects are miserable, but I can't go back to having the severe diarrhea and being afraid to get too far from the bathroom. Has anyone else had these side effects?"

• Cee...
• September 14, 2018

For Dumping Syndrome "I had my gallbladder removed back in 2005. Since then, I had lived over a toilet. Constant nausea and bloating. At least three times a day, I felt as if I were going to vomit, followed by bloating. Dizziness and instant fatigue. I went in to my doctor and finally explained all this and was prescribed two packets of cholestyramine a day. To be honest, I had read all of the information about this medication, and it scared me, and I decided not to take it. A couple of weeks ago, I woke up and felt like I was going to vomit from early morning until around 10 pm. I had never experienced that, and it resulted in me laying in bed all day sick. So, I decided to try it, and my goodness, it has saved me. No more bloating, no more running to the bathroom. I can go out to dinner and not frantically look for a bathroom! I only have to go to the restroom once a day, and that's it. I have to say, though, if a dose is missed, there is hell to pay (i.e., back to how I used to live). I was advised to take two packets but am fine with one packet a day."

• Cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 25, 2022

Cholestyramine "I have had IBS symptoms since age 19. I had my gallbladder removed in my late twenties, and in recent years, have been diagnosed with Crohn's ileitis, microscopic colitis, diverticulitis, and told quite a few years ago I have a functional gut disorder. I've also had severe endometriosis for over 40 years and had 7 operations, including a 5-hour surgery to separate my bowel from my pelvic organs. I was prescribed Questran powder by my consultant gastroenterologist a few years ago, and it has helped me. Sometimes it works really well, and sometimes I still have symptoms, but as I have several bowel disorders, it is sometimes hard to work out which one is symptomatic. I found it hard to take in the morning as my pain is at its worst, plus I have nausea, which I find is slightly worsened by taking Questran. So I now take 1-2 sachets at night. It's easier to mix/swallow if you leave it sit on top of a drink for a few minutes. I also find it easier in a cool/cold drink, but that's not good for IBS. Brill stuff!"

• sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Heaven sent! I have battled IBS for nearly 30 years and had all but given up. I met someone that told me they had horrible IBS as I did and that cholestyramine changed their life. I was cautiously optimistic it would work for me, but I spoke to my physician, and he thought we should try it. It has completely changed my life! I hate even putting that out there as it sounds crazy, but it's true. I no longer have fear about eating and staying near the closest bathroom. I don't have to worry about what could happen at work. The only side effect that has been constant is increased heartburn that is manageable with antacids. I've had some occasional nausea, but very mild. If you suffer from IBS and haven't tried this, I suggest you speak with your PCP. I hope you find the same results."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2019

For Hyperlipoproteinemia "2nd day using cholestyramine tablets for cholesterol, does well with or after meal. Otherwise nauseated and lightheaded. Will take half package tonight. See how that does. Must drink much water afterwards to get that thick taste out of mouth."

• Jon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 13, 2023

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "About 6 months after having my gallbladder out, I started having emergent diarrhea after eating slightly fatty foods. Then about 18 months after my gallbladder was removed, I started having explosive, urgent, watery diarrhea every day no matter what I ate and especially if I hadn’t eaten in more than 8 hours. Nothing worked, and I couldn’t leave the house and had lots of accidents. It was terrible. I’m young, so this was really embarrassing. I mean, just because no one else my age has been through this, and I couldn’t really talk about it, and they got frustrated with me canceling all the time or running to the bathroom, and then I got malabsorption too. So, this really saved my life on the one hand, but I also get terrible indigestion, nausea, and eventually vomiting just to release the pressure that lasts for several hours about 50% of the time when taking it. I’ve been trying different doses, and I’m hoping that works. Anyone have a solution? Antacids haven’t worked."

• DES...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2025

For Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL "IBS diagnosed 29 years ago. Gallbladder polyps 22 years ago, so had that sucker yanked out! Celiac diagnosed 13 years ago. My bathroom routine varied widely depending on gut pain and cramping. (This even when eating STRICTLY gluten-free.) 2 years ago (suddenly over 6 months) was nauseous all the time and lost 50 pounds. Went to see a GI to figure out why. It stopped as quickly as it started, I regained the weight. :( 1-year follow-up with GI and still don’t know why on the weight loss, but the GI says he's prescribing this Rx. Have taken it 4 days now, and my results are miraculous! I mix it with 1 cup of cranberry juice. Take 3 big swallows through a straw, then follow with 3 to 5 gulps of water (swishing the last one or two around my mouth because of the grit). Repeat cranberry juice and water 2 to 3 more times until done with juice, mix some water in glass that had the juice and drink that down, finish the glass of water, and then brush my teeth and think this is better than the bathroom circus before!"