Drug interactions
Cholestyramine + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Cholestyramine and Prednisone: moderate interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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 is a bile acid sequestrant that can bind oral drugs in the gut and reduce their absorption. Oral prednisone exposure may be lowered, potentially weakening its anti-inflammatory or replacement effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cholestyramine and Prednisone 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; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Binding of prednisone to the anion-exchange resin in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.
What to do
Give prednisone at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor clinical response and adjust the steroid dose if control is lost.
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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References
- Prednisone - FDA drug label (DailyMed) — openFDA / DailyMed
Other interactions of Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Other interactions of Cholestyramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cholestyramine with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cholestyramine and Prednisone 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 is a bile acid sequestrant that can bind oral drugs in the gut and reduce their absorption. Oral prednisone exposure may be lowered, potentially weakening its anti-inflammatory or replacement effect.
How serious is the interaction between Cholestyramine and Prednisone?
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 prednisone at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor clinical response and adjust the steroid dose if control is lost.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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