Bile acid sequestrant

In pharmacology, bile acid sequestrants a group of medication used for binding bile in the gastrointestinal tract. Its uses are the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and prevention of pruritus (itch) in patients with chronic liver disease or diarrhea.

Two drugs are members of this class; both are synthetic resins:

• Cholestyramine (Questran®)
• Colestipol (Colestid®)

Use of these agents has decreased markedly since the introduction of statins. They are occasionally used as an adjunctive to statins, as the combination of statins and fibrates is thought to increase the likelihood of developing rhabdomyolysis.