What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Cholestyramine and tetracycline
Cholestyramine's FDA label of August 20, 2026 names tetracycline in its drug interactions section; the tetracycline label PlainMeds reads does not name cholestyramine. The cholestyramine label: “… warfarin, thiazide diuretics (acidic) or propranolol (basic), as well as tetracycline, penicillin G, phenobarbital, thyroid and thyroxine preparations, estrogens and progestins and digitalis.”
Check it at the source: the cholestyramine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 20, 2026, AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc.); the tetracycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 18, 2025, Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.).
What does the cholestyramine label say about tetracycline?
Cholestyramine label, drug interactionsDrug Interactions Cholestyramine resin may delay or reduce the absorption of concomitant oral medication such as phenylbutazone, warfarin, thiazide diuretics (acidic) or propranolol (basic), as well as tetracycline, penicillin G, phenobarbital, thyroid and thyroxine preparations, estrogens and progestins and digitalis.
Source: FDA drug label (Cholestyramine), AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc., effective August 20, 2026 (SPL set 214ea05f-de81-4026-9df9-4ce3820668ee), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the tetracycline label say about cholestyramine?
Tetracycline's label (effective March 18, 2025) does not name cholestyramine in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (tetracycline hydrochloride), Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective March 18, 2025 (SPL set eaa5b1bd-0927-46e4-b941-32fcc492d258), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Cholestyramine | Tetracycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol | Bacterial infections |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.834 per packet Cholestyramine packet | $0.247 per capsule 250 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once