Hypercholesteremia. Treatment with cholestyramine, a bile acid sequestering resin

The results of administration of cholestyramine to 19 patients for periods of two to 21 months are reported. All patients consistently taking the drug obtained a significant reduction in the serum cholesterol. The average reduction was 26 per cent and the range was from 16 to 52 per cent. Cholestyramine acts as a bile acid sequestering resin, causing an increased loss of bile salts (cholates) in the stool. The drug acts by increasing the normal excretory pathway for cholesterol.