Bile Acid Sequestrates (Colesevelam, Colestipol, Cholestyramine)

Question 1

Colesevelam, Colestipol, Cholestyramine (mechanism/uses)

Answer 1

• absorbs and combines with intestinal bile salts, secreted in the feces, preventing intestinal reabsorption
• treat hypercholesterolemia, biliary obstruction, pruritis

Question 2

Colesevelam, Colestipol, Cholestyramine (SE/nursing considerations)

Answer 2

• taste and palatability reasons for noncompliance; mix with juice
• SE: nausea, bloating, constipation fecal impaction, intestinal obstruction
• *use stool softeners/fibers to combat GI SE
• *caution in clients w/ suspected bowel obstruction or severe constipation