Drug interactions
Cholestyramine + Obeticholic acid
Severity: Moderate
Cholestyramine and Obeticholic acid: 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
Bile acid sequestrants bind obeticholic acid in the gut and reduce its absorption, which can lessen its therapeutic effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cholestyramine and Obeticholic acid 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; Obeticholic acid belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Cholestyramine binds obeticholic acid in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give obeticholic acid at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor liver biochemistry response.
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 Cholestyramine
Other interactions of Obeticholic acid
- Colesevelam + Obeticholic acid Moderate
- Colestipol + Obeticholic acid Moderate
- Obeticholic acid + Theophylline Moderate
- Obeticholic acid + Tizanidine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cholestyramine with Obeticholic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cholestyramine and Obeticholic acid 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. Bile acid sequestrants bind obeticholic acid in the gut and reduce its absorption, which can lessen its therapeutic effect.
How serious is the interaction between Cholestyramine and Obeticholic acid?
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 obeticholic acid at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor liver biochemistry response.
What other medicines interact with Cholestyramine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cholestyramine with, for example, Cholic acid, Deferasirox, Leflunomide. The full list is on the Cholestyramine page.
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