Cholestyramine and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Swe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I started using this in June of this year after having chronic diarrhea for 5 plus years. This helped me after one use. I have issues with bloating and gas and have noticed hair loss. But I have gone from 70 lbs 1 year ago to 90 lbs today. I mix it with 2 T of orange Metamucil in a large glass. Starting with a small amount of water and then adding more water slowly. I also put about a 1/4 cup of orange juice with it. I feel for the others with chronic diarrhea. I didn't think it was a life worth living either. I wish you all the best."

• Sid...
• 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."

• Sue...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 31, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I’ve been on first Questran, then cholestyramine for spastic bowel syndrome, a form of IBS, since the mid-1990s. I first took it with Metamucil and always at nighttime. After taking it for 25 years, 1) I realized Metamucil is a softener and stopped that right away, 2) I 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!"

• sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have used this medication for about 4 months now along with Immodium and am still having problems. At first, I was using 2 packets a day and cut back to 1 as per the doctor and to use 1 Immodium. Yesterday, I stopped taking the cholestyramine as I was losing my hair, it seemed that each time I washed my hair, a lot was coming out in the comb. I started using a quality conditioner to help out with this, and yesterday my hands were full of hair after putting the conditioner in my hair. This med seemed to not be working as well toward the end anyway. Off to the doctor again!!!"

• MAK...
• September 3, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had excessive bile acid, which caused diarrhea that could not be stopped by any other way, except to take cholestyramine powder before two meals a day. I was told that I would be on this the rest of my life. When my hair started falling out, I felt weak and needed B12 shots, I knew there had to be a better way. I tried 3 capsules of ashwagandha 2100 mg, once a day, within two days, I was back to normal, no diarrhea, no loose stools, no burning, just normal. This works and is only $15 a month."