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cholestyramine vs olmesartan

Side-by-side comparison of cholestyramine and olmesartan. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Lithium: Risk of lithium toxicity ( 7.2 ) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Reduced diuretic, natriuretic and antihypotensive effects; increased risk of renal toxicity ( 7.3 ) Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension, and hyperkalemia ( 7.4 ) Colesevelam hydrochloride: Consider administering olmesartan at least 4 hours before colesevelam hydrochloride dose ( 7.5 ) Antidiabetic drugs: Dosage adjustment may be required ( 7.6 ) Cholestyramine and colestipol: Reduced absorption of thiazides ( 7.6 ) 7.1...

Recommendation: You should talk to your doctor about how to time your doses. They may suggest taking your blood pressure medicine at least 4 hours before the cholestyramine.

Drug Class
cholestyramine Bile Acid Sequestrant
olmesartan Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Type
cholestyramine Prescription
olmesartan Prescription
Summary
cholestyramine

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.

olmesartan

No summary available.

What It Treats
cholestyramine

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.

olmesartan

Information not available.

How It Works
cholestyramine

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.

olmesartan

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
cholestyramine
  • Constipation
olmesartan
  • Nausea
  • High uric acid levels in the blood
  • Dizziness
  • Upper respiratory infection (like a cold)
FAERS Reports
cholestyramine
  • Diarrhea 1,631
  • Tiredness 878
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 783
  • Joint pain 622
  • Head pain 543
olmesartan

No adverse event reports.

Serious Warnings
cholestyramine

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.

olmesartan

No specific warnings noted.

Pregnancy
cholestyramine

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.

olmesartan

No pregnancy information available.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This cholestyramine vs olmesartan Comparison

cholestyramine is classified in the Bile Acid Sequestrant drug class, while olmesartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) 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 4,457 submissions while olmesartan has 0. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to cholestyramine can trap other medicines in your gut, which prevents your body from absorbing them properly. this can make your blood pressure medicine less effective.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between cholestyramine and olmesartan - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.