Bile acid sequestrants

Bile acid sequestrants are used to reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. After oral administration, they are not absorbed but bind to bile acids (which contains cholesterol) in the intestine and prevent their reabsorption into the body. The bound complex is insoluble and is excreted in the faeces. Decrease in bile acid leads to an increase in hepatic synthesis of bile acids from cholesterol. Depletion of cholesterol increases LDL receptor activity, therefore increases removal of LDL cholesterol from the blood.