Drug interactions
Cholestyramine + Furosemide
Severity: Moderate
Cholestyramine and Furosemide: 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 oral furosemide in the gut and lowers its absorption, which can blunt the diuretic response and cause fluid retention or loss of symptom control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cholestyramine and Furosemide 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; Furosemide belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Anion-exchange resin binds furosemide in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing its oral bioavailability.
What to do
Give oral furosemide at least 2 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor diuretic response and weight, and adjust the furosemide dose if needed.
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 Furosemide
- Amifostine + Furosemide Major
- Amikacin + Furosemide Major
- Carbenoxolone + Furosemide Major
- Cephaloridine + Furosemide Major
- Cisplatin + Furosemide Major
- Digoxin + Furosemide Major
Other interactions of Cholestyramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cholestyramine with Furosemide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cholestyramine and Furosemide 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 oral furosemide in the gut and lowers its absorption, which can blunt the diuretic response and cause fluid retention or loss of symptom control.
How serious is the interaction between Cholestyramine and Furosemide?
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 oral furosemide at least 2 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor diuretic response and weight, and adjust the furosemide dose if needed.
What other medicines interact with Furosemide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Furosemide with, for example, Amifostine, Amikacin, Carbenoxolone. The full list is on the Furosemide page.
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