cholestyramine vs hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of cholestyramine and hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
Cholestyramine and colestipol resins - Absorption of hydrochlorothiazide is impaired in the presence of anionic exchange resins. Single doses of either cholestyramine or colestipol resins bind the hydrochlorothiazide and reduce its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract by up to 85% and 43%, respectively.
Questran
Dyazide, Maxzide
Cholestyramine is a medicine that helps lower high cholesterol levels in your blood. It works by preventing your body from absorbing cholesterol in the intestines.
This medicine combines lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide to lower high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
This medicine is used with a diet to lower high cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol). It may also help if you have high triglycerides, but it's not the best choice if high triglycerides are your main problem. Lowering cholesterol helps reduce your risk of heart disease.
This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to serious problems like stroke and heart attack if it is not treated. Lowering your blood pressure can help prevent these problems. You may need more than one medicine to control your blood pressure.
Cholestyramine is a resin that binds to bile acids in your intestines. Bile acids help digest fats, including cholesterol. By binding to bile acids, cholestyramine prevents them from being reabsorbed, so your body uses cholesterol to make more bile acids, which lowers cholesterol levels in your blood.
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that widens blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that helps your body get rid of extra salt and water. This combination helps to lower blood pressure.
- • Constipation
- • Dizziness
- • Headache
- • Cough
- • Feeling tired
- • Lightheadedness when standing up
- Diarrhoea 1,631
- Fatigue 877
- Nausea 783
- Arthralgia 621
- Headache 543
- Feeling tired 10,013
- Feeling sick to your stomach 9,706
- Loose stools 8,311
- General pain 7,665
- Difficulty breathing 7,584
Since cholestyramine can affect how your body absorbs other medicines, take other drugs at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine.
This medicine can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. You should not take this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (angioedema) to an ACE inhibitor or if you cannot urinate.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Cholestyramine may affect how you absorb vitamins, so your doctor may recommend supplements. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while breastfeeding.
This medicine can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about other blood pressure medicines if you are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This cholestyramine vs hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene Comparison
cholestyramine is classified in the Bile Acid Sequestrant drug class, while hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene sits within the Thiazide / Potassium-Sparing Diuretic Combination class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, cholestyramine has 4,455 submissions while hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene has 43,279. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to this cholesterol medicine acts like a magnet in your stomach and traps the blood pressure pill, stopping it from entering your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for cholestyramine or hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.