Drug interactions
Cholestyramine + Ezetimibe
Severity: Moderate
Cholestyramine and Ezetimibe: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Cholestyramine binds ezetimibe in the gut and lowers its absorption, reducing exposure to the active drug. This may weaken the cholesterol-lowering effect of ezetimibe.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cholestyramine and Ezetimibe can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cholestyramine belongs to Cardiovascular; Ezetimibe belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Anion-exchange resin binds ezetimibe in the gastrointestinal lumen, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor the lipid profile.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Ezetimibe
- Apalutamide + Ezetimibe Moderate
- Cyclosporin + Ezetimibe Moderate
- Ezetimibe + Gemfibrozil Moderate
- Ezetimibe + Glecaprevir / pibrentasvir Moderate
- Ezetimibe + Letermovir Moderate
- Ezetimibe + Sofosbuvir / velpatasvir Moderate
Other interactions of Cholestyramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cholestyramine with Ezetimibe?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cholestyramine and Ezetimibe can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Cholestyramine binds ezetimibe in the gut and lowers its absorption, reducing exposure to the active drug. This may weaken the cholesterol-lowering effect of ezetimibe.
How serious is the interaction between Cholestyramine and Ezetimibe?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor the lipid profile.
What other medicines interact with Ezetimibe?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ezetimibe with, for example, Apalutamide, Cyclosporin, Gemfibrozil. The full list is on the Ezetimibe page.
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