CHOLESTYRAMINE

Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder, the chloride salt of a basic anion exchange resin, a cholesterol lowering agent, is intended for oral administration. Cholestyramine resin is quite hydrophilic, but insoluble in water. The cholestyramine resin in cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder is not absorbed from the digestive tract. Four grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin is contained in 5.5 grams of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder. It is represented by the following structural formula: Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder contains the following inactive ingredients: aspartame, citric acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, D&C Yellow # 10 aluminum lake, FD&C Yellow # 6 aluminum lake, flavor (natural and artificial Orange, natural and artificial Vanilla), mannitol, propylene glycol alginate and xanthan gum. Formula

1) Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder, is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol) who do not respond adequately to diet. Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder may be useful to lower LDL cholesterol in patients who also have hypertriglyceridemia, but it is not indicated where hypertriglyceridemia is the abnormality of most concern. Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be a component of multiple risk factor intervention in those individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Treatment should begin and continue with dietary therapy specific for the type of hyperlipoproteinemia determined prior to initiation of drug therapy. Excess body weight may be an important factor and caloric restriction for weight normalization should be addressed prior to drug therapy in the overweight. Prior to initiating therapy with cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder secondary causes of hypercholesterolemia (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, dysproteinemias, obstructive liver disease, other drug therapy, alcoholism), should be excluded, and a lipid profile performed to assess Total cholesterol, HDL-C, and triglycerides (TG). For individuals with TG less than 400 mg/dL (< 4.5 mmol/L), LDL-C can be estimated using the following equation:- LDL-C = Total cholesterol – [(TG/5) + HDL-C] For TG levels > 400 mg/dL, this equation is less accurate and LDL-C concentrations should be determined by ultracentrifugation. In hypertriglyceridemic patients, LDL-C may be low or normal despite elevated Total-C. In such cases cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder may not be indicated. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels should be determined periodically based on NCEP guidelines to confirm initial and adequate long-term response. A favorable trend in cholesterol reduction should occur during the first month of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder therapy. The therapy should be continued to sustain cholesterol reduction. If adequate cholesterol reduction is not attained, increasing the dosage of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder or adding other lipid-lowering agents in combination with cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder should be considered. Since the goal of treatment is to lower LDL-C, the NCEP 4 recommends that LDL-C levels be used to initiate and assess treatment response. If LDL-C levels are not available then Total-C alone may be used to monitor long-term therapy. A lipoprotein analysis (including LDL-C determination) should be carried out once a year. The NCEP treatment guidelines are summarized below. * Coronary heart disease or peripheral vascular disease (including symptomatic carotid artery disease). * * Other risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) include: age (males ≥ 45 years; females ≥ 55 years or premature menopause without estrogen replacement therapy); family history of premature CHD; current cigarette smoking; hypertension; confirmed HDL-C < 35 mg/dL (< 0.91 mmol/L); and diabetes mellitus. Subtract one risk factor if HDL-C is ≥ 60 mg/dL (≥ 1.6 mmol/L). LDL - Cholesterol mg / dL ( mmol / L ) Definite Atherosclerotic Disease * Two or More Other Risk Factors ** Initiation Level Goal NO NO ≥ 190 (≥ 4.9) < 160 (< 4.1) NO YES ≥ 160 (≥ 4.1) < 130 (< 3.4) YES YES OR NO ≥ 130 (≥ 3.4) ≤ 100 ( ≤ 2.6) Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder monotherapy has been demonstrated to retard the rate of progression 2,3 and increase the rate of regression 3 of coronary atherosclerosis. 2) Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder is indicated for the relief of pruritus associated with partial biliary obstruction. Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder has been shown to have a variable effect on serum cholesterol in these patients. Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis may exhibit an elevated cholesterol as part of their disease.

The recommended starting adult dose for cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder is one pouch or one level scoopful once or twice a day. The recommended maintenance dose for cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder is 2 to 4 pouches or scoopfuls daily (8 to 16 grams anhydrous cholestyramine resin) divided into two doses. Four grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin is contained in each measured dose of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder as follows: Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder 5.5 grams It is recommended that increases in dose be gradual with periodic assessment of lipid/lipoprotein levels at intervals of not less than 4 weeks. The maximum recommended daily dose is six pouches or scoopfuls of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder (24 grams of anhydrous cholestyramine resin). The suggested time of administration is at mealtime but may be modified to avoid interference with absorption of other medications. Although the recommended dosing schedule is twice daily, cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder may be administered in 1 to 6 doses per day. Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder should not be taken in its dry form. Always mix cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder with water or other fluids before ingesting. See Preparation Instructions. Concomitant Therapy Preliminary evidence suggests that the lipid-lowering effects of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder on total and LDL-cholesterol are enhanced when combined with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, e.g., pravastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, and fluvastatin. Additive effects on LDL-cholesterol are also seen with combined nicotinic acid /cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder therapy. See the Drug Interactions subsection of the PRECAUTIONS section for recommendations on administering concomitant therapy. PREPARATION The color of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder may vary somewhat from batch to batch but this variation does not affect the performance of the product. Place the contents of one single-dose pouch or one level scoopful of cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder in a glass or cup. Add an amount of water or other non-carbonated beverage of your choice depending on the product being used: Product Formula Amount of Water or other Non - Carbonated Liquid Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder 2 to 6 ounces per dose Stir to a uniform consistency and drink. Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder may also be mixed with highly fluid soups or pulpy fruits with a high moisture content such as applesauce or crushed pineapple.

Cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder is contraindicated in patients with complete biliary obstruction where bile is not secreted into the intestine and in those individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components.

The most common adverse reaction is constipation. When used as a cholesterol-lowering agent predisposing factors for most complaints of constipation are high dose and increased age (more than 60 years old). Most instances of constipation are mild, transient, and controlled with conventional therapy. Some patients require a temporary decrease in dosage or discontinuation of therapy. Less Frequent Adverse Reactions Abdominal discomfort and/or pain, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, eructation, anorexia, and steatorrhea, bleeding tendencies due to hypoprothrombinemia (Vitamin K deficiency) as well as Vitamin A (one case of night blindness reported) and D deficiencies, hyperchloremic acidosis in children, osteoporosis, rash and irritation of the skin, tongue and perianal area. Rare reports of intestinal obstruction, including two deaths, have been reported in pediatric patients. Occasional calcified material has been observed in the biliary tree, including calcification of the gallbladder, in patients to whom cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder has been given. However, this may be a manifestation of the liver disease and not drug related. One patient experienced biliary colic on each of three occasions on which he took cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder. One patient diagnosed as acute abdominal symptom complex was found to have a "pasty mass" in the transverse colon on x-ray. Other events (not necessarily drug related) reported in patients taking cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light powder include Gastrointestinal GI-rectal bleeding, black stools, hemorrhoidal bleeding, bleeding from known duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, hiccups, ulcer attack, sour taste, pancreatitis, rectal pain, diverticulitis. Laboratory test changes Liver function abnormalities. Hematologic Prolonged prothrombin time, ecchymosis, anemia. Hypersensitivity Urticaria, asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath. Musculoskeletal Backache, muscle and joint pains, arthritis. Neurologic Headache, anxiety, vertigo, dizziness, fatigue, tinnitus, syncope, drowsiness, femoral nerve pain, paresthesia. Eye Uveitis. Renal Hematuria, dysuria, burnt odor to urine, diuresis. Miscellaneous Weight loss, weight gain, increased libido, swollen glands, edema, dental bleeding, dental caries, erosion of tooth enamel, tooth discoloration.

Storage Store between 20º to 25ºC (68º to 77ºF). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.