Examples

Sequestrants are sometimes called bile acid resins or gels.

How It Works

Sequestrants bind to bile acids in the intestine and prevent them from being reabsorbed into the blood. The liver then produces more bile to replace the bile that has been lost. Because the body needs cholesterol to make bile, the liver uses up the cholesterol in the blood, which reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood.

Why It Is Used

These medicines may be prescribed, along with dietary therapy, to lower LDL cholesterol in people who have high cholesterol and known heart disease or in people who are at high risk for heart disease.

For people who have very high cholesterol levels (over 240 mg/dL or 6.21 mmol/L), these drugs also may be prescribed in combination with medicines called statins.

People who have the following conditions should not take sequestrants:

• High triglycerides
• Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (a rare form of lipid disorder)
• Severe constipation (sequestrants make constipation worse)

How Well It Works

Bile acid sequestrants:

• Reduce LDL cholesterol by 15% to 30%.¹
• Raise HDL cholesterol by 3% to 5%.¹
• May increase triglycerides, so you should not take these medicines if your triglyceride levels are above 300 mg/dL.¹

Side Effects

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

• Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
• Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
• If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing.
• Hives.
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects of this medicine include:

• Constipation.
• Stomach pain.
• Nausea.
• Heartburn.
• Indigestion or gas.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)