Drug Interactions between cholestyramine and Milantex Maximum Strength

GENERALLY AVOID: The concomitant administration of aluminum-containing products (e.g., antacids and phosphate binders) and citrates may significantly increase serum aluminum concentrations, resulting in toxicity. Citrates or citric acid are contained in numerous soft drinks, citrus fruits, juices, and effervescent and dispersible drug formulations. Citrates enhance the gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum by an unknown mechanism, which may involve the formation of a soluble aluminum-citrate complex. Various studies have reported that citrate increases aluminum absorption by 4.6- to 50-fold in healthy subjects. Patients with renal insufficiency are particularly at risk of developing hyperaluminemia and encephalopathy. Fatalities have been reported. Patients with renal failure or on hemodialysis may also be at risk from soft drinks and effervescent and dispersible drug formulations that contain citrates or citric acid. It is unknown what effect citrus fruits or juices would have on aluminum absorption in healthy patients.

MANAGEMENT: The concomitant use of aluminum- and citrate-containing products and foods should be avoided by renally impaired patients. Hemodialysis patients should especially be cautioned about effervescent and dispersible over-the-counter remedies and soft drinks. Some experts also recommend that healthy patients should separate doses of aluminum-containing antacids and citrates by 2 to 3 hours.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The administration of aluminum-containing antacids with enteral nutrition may result in precipitation, formation of bezoars, and obstruction of feeding tubes. The proposed mechanism is the formation of an insoluble complex between the aluminum and the protein in the enteral feeding. Several cases of esophageal plugs and nasogastric tube obstructions have been reported in patients receiving high-protein liquids and an aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide antacid or an aluminum hydroxide antacid.

MANAGEMENT: Some experts recommend that antacids should not be mixed with or given after high protein formulations, that the antacid dose should be separated from the feeding by as much as possible, and that the tube should be thoroughly flushed before administration.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Bile acid sequestrants and the phosphate binder, sevelamer, can decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. By binding bile acids, these agents may interfere with normal fat digestion and absorption, thereby preventing the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. When 8 grams of cholestyramine was administered simultaneously with a normal meal containing 250,000 units of vitamin A acetate in four healthy young adult subjects, plasma vitamin A levels were significantly reduced during a 9-hour postprandial period compared to the values obtained with the control meal. Coadministration with 4 grams of cholestyramine had no significant effect. In a crossover study involving healthy subjects, coadministration of sevelamer with calcitriol resulted in a significant reduction in bioavailability for calcitriol (calcitriol with sevelamer vs calcitriol alone: AUC 137 pg*h/mL vs 318 pg*h/mL and Cmax 40.1 pg/mL vs 49.7 pg/mL, respectively). Chronic use of bile acid sequestrants has been rarely associated with an increased bleeding tendency due to hypoprothrombinemia resulting from vitamin K deficiency. Isolated cases of Vitamin A (including one case of night blindness) and D deficiencies have also been reported with chronic cholestyramine therapy.

MANAGEMENT: When bile acid sequestrants are given for prolonged periods, some manufacturers recommend that concomitant supplementation with water-miscible or parenteral forms of fat-soluble vitamins be considered. If oral vitamin supplements are used with cholestyramine or colestipol, advise patients to take them at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after the bile acid sequestrant to minimize the potential impact on their absorption. No recommendations are available for sevelamer, but it may be advisable to follow the same precautions.