Cholestyramine (CSM) is a binder that has been used for many years to remove toxins from the body. It was first used to treat high cholesterol levels but is now used for treating many conditions. It is a type of bile acid sequestrant that works by binding to toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, which are then removed from the body with the cholestyramine. Pure cholestyramine is completely removed from the body along with the toxins and is not absorbed into the body like a drug.

Even though cholestyramine itself is not absorbed into the blood, additives that are included with it can be absorbed. Commercially available cholestyramine has multiple other ingredients including fillers, colors, and flavors that can be absorbed and cause side effects for sensitive individuals. Aspartame in particular, which is used as a sweetener, can cause problems for individuals with other health conditions, especially the genetic condition phenylketonuria (PKU). Patients with biotoxin illness, who can usually benefit from cholestyramine, may be unable to take it with additives. The most common brand names available commercially are called Questran and Prevalite. They have multiple added ingredients besides cholesytramine, which are listed below.

Ingredients in Questran/Questran Light/Prevalite:

Cholestyramine

Aspartame

Anhydrous citric acid

D&C Yellow No. 10

FD&C Yellow No. 6

Maltodextrin

Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate

Propylene glycol alginate

Silicon dioxide

Xanthan gum

Phenylalanine

Ingredients in pure cholestyramine resin:

Cholestyramine

How to Buy Pure Cholestyramine Resin

The commercially available, FDA-approved version of cholestyramine is indicated for lowering cholesterol and contains all of the additives listed above. Pure cholestyramine without additives is only available from a compounding pharmacy. At Park Compounding Pharmacy we provide only the highest quality cholestyramine with no fillers, preservatives, flavors, coloring, or any other kind of additive. It is better tolerated by individuals who are sensitive to these undesirable ingredients.

The first step to buy pure cholestyramine is getting a prescription from your doctor. Cholestyramine is only indicated for reducing cholesterol and all other uses are considered off-label. Healthcare providers frequently prescribe medications off-label based on research and their clinical experience. Once you have a prescription for pure cholestyramine you can then contact a compounding pharmacy to have it filled. Our pharmacy fills prescriptions for pure cholestyramine across the country and we can ship to most states.

It is important to remember that products can be obtained from multiple disreputable sources on the internet. You will not know exactly what you are getting if you obtain your pure cholestyramine from a supplier in another country or from one who is not licensed. Additionally, disreputable pharmacies may obtain their cholestyramine from an unreliable source at a cheap price, meaning that they can charge less to patients. However, the cost of buying pure cholestyramine resin compounded is higher than the commercially available product that is manufactured with additives. You can feel free to ask your compounding pharmacy about how they obtain their cholestyramine to ensure they are getting it from a reliable source.

Insurance may cover pure cholestyramine resin from a compounding pharmacy. In recent years, less insurance plans are offering coverage of this essential binder for treating biotoxin illness. However, our pharmacy will try to work with your insurance company to get your prescription covered. For patients who do not have insurance that will cover cholestyramine, we offer competitive cash pricing.

How does pure cholestyramine resin work?

The inability to remove toxins from the body can be due to a compromised immune system, chronic diseases, and genetic predisposition. Cholestyramine binds to mycotoxins internally to remove them from the body and protects against enterohepatic circulation of biotoxins. As the body re-circulates bile in the small intestine, biotoxins can be reabsorbed so that they continue to produce negative effects. Cholestyramine protects against this by binding the biotoxins so that they are not absorbed again in the small intestine. Since it is not absorbed, the toxins that cholestyramine binds to are expelled from the body along with it. This is an essential part of treatment protocols for biotoxin illness.

How should pure cholestyramine resin be taken?

Our pure cholestyramine comes either in a powder along with a scoop that can be used for measuring dosages or in capsule form. For most patients, one scoop (4 grams) of pure cholesytramine should be taken 3-4 times per day mixed with 8oz of water. This is the equivalent to the FDA-approved dose of 9 grams of Questran for treating cholesterol. The extra 5 grams in the commercially available product are the fillers and additives. The pure cholestyramine will usually be supplied in a 480 gram container of powder (30 days x 16 grams total per day).

Pure cholestyramine should be taken 30 minutes before a meal and not for 1-2 hours after a meal. If it is taken immediately after a meal it will stop the body from absorbing essential nutrients from the food. Patients taking pure cholestyramine should drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent constipation. It is important to follow the full treatment course prescribed by your doctor and communicate any concerns you have. In general, patients who have tried cholestyramine with additives find that they tolerate the pure resin form much better. This allows them to continue the full treatment and get better elimination of toxins from the body.