How to Use Bile Acid Resins to Treat Cholesterol

Bile acid resins, also called bile acid sequestrants, are a type of medication that can be used along with statin drugs to treat high cholesterol. The resins fasten themselves to cholesterol-laden bile acids that are found in the intestines. They are passed out of the body through the stool. This process, along with a healthy diet and daily exercising, can successfully lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.

Things You'll Need

• Physician
• Bile acid resins
• Healthy eating plan
• Water or juice
• Exercise routine
• Statin drug

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Instructions

Use Bile Acid Resins to Treat Cholesterol

• 1

  Speak to your doctor about the possibility of starting to use bile acid resins. If you are already taking a statin drug to treat high cholesterol, he will determine whether the additional medicine is needed.

• 2

  Remember to disclose your full medical history before starting to use a new medication such as bile acid resins. If you show symptoms of certain conditions, such as severe constipation, you may not be an ideal candidate for this drug.

• 3

  Avoid a harmful interaction between your cholesterol medications if you are taking more than one concurrently. Bile acid resins must be taken at least 1 hour after other cholesterol drugs or 4 to 6 hours prior to the other medications, so that that the other medicines will be absorbed properly.

• 4

  Mix bile acid resins powders--one of the forms in which the medication is available--thoroughly with fruit juice or water.

• 5

  Take your medication with meals. If you take bile acid resin tablets, be sure to drink a large glass of water with it to avoid uncomfortable side effects.

• 6

  Continue to follow a healthy diet while taking bile acid resins. Include plenty of produce and whole grains, while limiting your intake of foods that contain large amounts of fat.

• 7

  Exercise daily as part of a healthy lifestyle. Aerobic activity 2 to 3 times per week can contribute to lowering your LDL levels.

• 8

  Let your doctor know if you are experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort while taking bile acid resins. Because this medication is activated in the intestines, common side effects are bloating, gas and constipation.