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Cholestyramine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Brand names: Prevalite Cholestyramine Light

Cholestyramine has an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 from a total of 236 reviews on Drugs.com. 86% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 7% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Cholestyramine

  • ladyjp
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 18, 2013

Questran (cholestyramine) for Crohn's Disease "I had tried most everything for my diarrhea related to Crohn's disease. It was starting to really affect my quality of life. I could often not leave the house. My gastro. dr. recommended this powder. After the first dose, I noticed a difference. I am now able to leave the house without wearing Depends!"

10 / 10
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90 Report
  • Coles
  • December 28, 2014

Questran (cholestyramine) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I am taking cholestyramine to help control diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome. It is extremely helpful. The only thing I don't like is the idea that it has started to stain my teeth and can eat away tooth enamel."

9 / 10
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81 Report
  • Starg...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 3, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I'm so glad my doctor prescribed this, it changed my life. I can now leave my house without fear of having to find a bathroom at a moment's notice or embarrass myself when visiting friends or family. I still have to watch what I eat since certain foods affect my symptoms still, but before taking this it was absolutely EVERYTHING I ate."

10 / 10
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53 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Deb
  • September 10, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have had IBS-D for over 2 years and in the end I had to quit my job. I have had 5 doctors upper GI, lower GI and finally my nurse prat diagnosed me with IBS. I was on welchol for year it worked perfect !!! Then it stopped working :( Took cholestyramine for 3 weeks as my doctor prescribed for that amount of time and it didn't work. I have to run to bathroom 14 times daily every day for past 2 months now not left the house . This is no way for any one to live ."

1 / 10
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47 Report
  • dbf
  • September 3, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Glad my doctor decided to try this medicine because it has been a life saver for me! The only problem is remembering to mix up the powder every night. I wish this came in pill form. For those who are having trouble with the taste, or drinking it, I put it in 2 tbsp. of applesauce and mix it really well. It changes the flavor of the applesauce slightly, but it's not as gross as trying to drink it in water."

10 / 10
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71 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • coville
  • May 1, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had my gallbladder removed in 2009, and after that, I had diarrhea after the first thing I ate for seven years. I never went out to eat; I never went out without knowing where a bathroom was. I never ate on road trips. There would be days where I didn't even want to eat because I knew I would be in the bathroom. So, two days ago, I was reading all these stories, and they sounded just like me. So I talked to my doctor; she prescribed me this medicine, and now I actually feel like my old self again."

10 / 10
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67 Report
  • LDano
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 16, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Suffered for many years with IBS and horrendous diarrhoea to the point where I could not leave the house in a morning and also attacks during the day too. I literally tried every drug available and only immodium worked by taking way too many. I persuaded my doctor to let me try Questran and after 1 dose before bed I was a new person the next day. I now take 2 sachets before bed and have had no diarrhoea symptoms at all, still have stomach pain but I can cope with that and live a normal life again without having to dash to the toilet and constantly not make it in time."

10 / 10
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48 Report
  • Mr Ali
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 11, 2014

For Dumping Syndrome "After gallbladder removal I had chronic diarrhea. The first bowel motion in the morning was normal, then after an hour I would have about 3 to 4 bowel motions that were loose stools throughout the day, no matter what I ate. After 2 years and colonoscopies and EGD, no change in my situation. The doctor told me maybe it was normal. What a good doctor. Anyway, after research on the internet, I found this medicine and recommended it to my doctor who said yes and gave me a prescription. Since day one, I have not had any diarrhea. I take it twice a day, once in the morning and the other in the evening. It has really helped me a lot. Good thing because I was beginning to get depressed and hopeless about my situation. Thanks be to God."

10 / 10
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78 Report
  • grandma...
  • May 17, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I just started on the powder form of this medication. The first night I gagged on it, but managed to drink it down at around 3 pm. I felt so much nausea that I wasn't sure I wanted to continue, but the next day I felt no urgency, had a normal bowel movement, and felt no nausea. I slammed down the whole drink and didn't gag the following few nights. I'm so glad I didn't give up and continued to take cholestyramine."

10 / 10
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72 Report
  • Eugene
  • June 14, 2018

Questran Light (cholestyramine) for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL "I used Questran Light for 2 years, one pouch/day at 3 PM. I was not aware that it should not stay in touch with the teeth for a long time. The Cholestyramine completlely damaged my teeth, causing rapid decay in almost all my teeth. Cholestyramine is an ion exchange resin, taking certain minerals in the resin. Many teeth had to be extracted and the others had extensive restoration work. My dentist said that it was impossible to just have such extensive decay, even if I would've been negligent on brushing. Oh how I would've liked to know to vigorously rinse out the cholestyramine suspension sticking on my teeth RIGHT AFTER ingestion. I also would have brushed my teeth RIGHT AFTER this rinsing of my mouth, not during the evening, it's too long a time. My suggestion: rinse out the remaining suspension very well right after ingestion and right after, gently brush your teeth with toothpaste."

1 / 10
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52 Report
  • Bubbles
  • March 23, 2020

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "I shared my experience at the beginning in June 2019. I am back to comment. This drug damaged my muscles permanently and the damage will not stop even after taking drug. Be careful as this drug works like a statin drug and statin drugs cause muscle damage. I was a healthy active woman and now need to use a wheelchair. It is wrong that this side effect isn’t given. ANY lipid lowering medication has the potential to ruin muscles."

1 / 10
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40 Report
  • Sidne...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 1, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had my gallbladder taken out 2 years ago, after 18 years of having stomach issues and pain and several doctor visits. They told me I needed to have the surgery and get my gallbladder taken out. Then the doctor told me I had irritable bowel syndrome. He told me I would not be able to eat anything greasy because if I did, it would go right through me. Well, I stopped eating greasy foods and ate grilled chicken all the time! It gets old. I started losing weight, my hair thinned out, I got sick all the time, and always had to cancel plans or call in sick because it would get so bad. I finally went back to the doctor and said, 'you gotta do something, I can't go on like this anymore,' and so he put me on this medicine, and it's worked miracles."

10 / 10
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67 Report
  • sueprit
  • January 22, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I suffered for 10 years, and it got to the point where I didn't eat out anymore because I knew where I would be for the next hour if I did. My doctor just kept saying to watch what I eat. I did, but nothing specific seemed to trigger my bouts of irritable bowel syndrome. After my father passed away from colon cancer about 4 years ago, my siblings and I were advised to have a colonoscopy. The doctor that did mine recommended I try cholestyramine, and it was like a miracle for me. As long as I take my dose every morning, I am generally just fine. I do occasionally still have flare-ups, but I have discovered that they are hormonal, and I just take a bit extra on those days, and I am usually good to go."

10 / 10
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76 Report
  • Urgent...
  • August 9, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "14 years of IBS and D, multiple colonoscopies and Doctors, I was ready to give up hope till I found this site, called family Dr. he prescribed it, I'm on my 4th day. Besides a little bloating and getting used to my new bowel habits, I'm a changed man. 43 yo. I just wished I found this sooner."

9 / 10
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63 Report
  • Au fait
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 15, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Has worked extremely well and I am very happy with it. Many seem to have problems with taking this gritty insoluble product. I mix it with Gatorade using a frother. This is a device used to froth milk for coffee drinks. It disperses all clumping and grittiness is minimal. I found mine on Amazon after considering an immersion blender. Hope this helps."

10 / 10
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59 Report
  • Newlife
  • February 5, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had my gall bladder taken out over 10 years ago and only in the last 2 years problems started. Acid reflux and diarrhea. This medication has given my life back to me. I wish doctors knew about it. It took an amazing specialist doctor to recommend it I'm very thankful. I wish more people with IBS knew about this."

10 / 10
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57 Report
  • Emmie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 14, 2018

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "I had my gallbladder removed in April 2018. Since that day I have had severe diarrhea, nausea, major cramping in stomach, dizziness, and major weight loss. The only thing I could eat was flavored rice which I have eaten for months. I contacted the surgeon who told me he didn't do anything wrong! He never has tried to do any tests or offer any advice on what to do. I changed my general practitioner, she is a nurse practitioner and she ran tons of labwork. All the labwork was normal. She told me about cholestrymine but told me most insurances won't pay for it. I asked her to try anyways. I went to pharmacy to pick up other meds and my insurance company covered it!!! I have been using it daily 2 times a day and all of the symptoms are gone!! I am very happy!! Thank goodness for my nurse practitioner!! Shame on the surgeon who got paid for the surgery and couldn't be bothered to handle the side effects of his work!"

9 / 10
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42 Report
  • Megan
  • July 22, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was on dicyclomine for about 2 years after having my gallbladder removed and barely worked, I was taking it before every meal but still experienced extreme cramping. One week with cholestyramine and all my symptoms vanished. It was absolutely amazing. I've been taking it for about 7 months and haven't had any problems since!"

10 / 10
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51 Report
  • Lizin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 19, 2012

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Wonderful medicine! I've had only hints of minor side effects: a little morning gas, and a few minutes of minor nausea just after drinking it before bed. So glad my gastrointestinal doctor suggested it; so sorry it took 19 months after gallbladder surgery to ask him for something. Out of work but couldn't leave the house on time for job interviews (or doctor's appointments). Not a good first impression. Medicine worked the very first morning and has continued to work. What a relief!"

10 / 10
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69 Report
  • braders
  • March 1, 2015

Cholestyramine Light (cholestyramine) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After many trips,to the GP and hospital with stomach pain and severe toilet issues I was prescribed Questran light being a ground worker sometimes no toilets close by is not a problem anymore. A great medicine. I have no side effects."

9 / 10
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57 Report
  • Sue
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 31, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I’ve been on first Questran then Colestyramine for spastic bowel syndrome , a form of IBS, since the mid 1990’s. I first took it with Metamucil and always at night time. After taking it for 25 years, 1) I realized Metamucil is a softener and stopped that right away 2) realized that it needs to be taken with food , to allow for absorption. Things are much better now since making the changes. I still have the odd bad day, but I’m 100% better than I was. I noticed over time my weight fluctuates and find it hard to lose . My hair is also getting thinner which I never attributed to this medicine. I’ll be on this the rest of my life but I figure if it works then I’m fine with that. I just wish my hair would stop thinning!"

9 / 10
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32 Report
  • APS
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • January 8, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had my gall bladder out in 2012. About 6 months after I developed IBS-d like symptoms. Cramping, diarrhea within an hour after eating. It was completely unpredictable and not diet dependent and I suffered for about 3 years, until one day I almost didn’t make it to the restroom at work. My doc prescribed cholestyramine and after one dose of this medication, I was back to normal. It’s amazing and I can’t live without it. If I miss a dose, I know about it the next day. And because it’s a cholesterol maintenance drug, a 90 day supply costs me nothing out of pocket under my plan."

10 / 10
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32 Report
  • Deewohl
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 14, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "This medicine changed my life I am a 63-year-old female who has suffered from IBS-D since I was 20 years old - this medicine is the only thing I have used consistently for the past year and I have had no flareups. If I miss one dose, the next day I’m back to being as bad as I was before I started taking it. So-it is not a cure, but it is wonderful. Just want to know why it took 43 years for a doctor to prescribe. I can go out to eat I can go to the mall I can go for a car ride without the fear of having to find a bathroom YAHOOOO!"

10 / 10
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42 Report
  • SoCal...
  • October 25, 2009

Prevalite (cholestyramine) for Crohn's Disease "I have been taking this for three months along with Canasa suppositories with huge success. I have had extreme IBS with bleeding colon ulcers. I would be hit with sudden extreme diarrhea 20 minutes after eating anything. Sometimes I'd be hit not eating anything. Fasting was a sure way of having problems. These medicines are the first thing to work in over 10 years of suffering."

8 / 10
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76 Report
  • piccr
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • April 11, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After removing a prolific stone producing gallbladder that was causing biliary blockages, anything I ate would basically go right through, particularly the first meal of the day. My gastro doc prescribed the Cholestryamine and bingo problem resolved. I take it every evening around 9 or 10PM, have normal stools the next day and my first meal stays put along with everything else I eat. It will not dissolve and is like drinking sand, but for me it (Prevalite) goes down easier with a glass of apple cider (not juice). The generic version made by Sandoz I find is easier to take in plain water. As a bonus this drug also reduces my cholesterol."

10 / 10
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53 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.