Cholestyramine is contraindicated when triglycerides are equal to or greater than 300 mg/dL because this medication can do what?

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Multiple Choice

Cholestyramine is contraindicated when triglycerides are equal to or greater than 300 mg/dL because this medication can do what?

The main concept here is that bile acid sequestrants, like cholestyramine, can worsen hypertriglyceridemia. While these drugs lower LDL by binding bile acids in the intestine and prompting the liver to use more cholesterol to make new bile acids, in patients with high triglycerides this can backfire. The liver may respond by increasing VLDL production, which raises triglyceride levels. This elevation in triglycerides raises the risk of pancreatitis, which is why cholestyramine is contraindicated when triglycerides are very high (≥300 mg/dL). So the reason this medication is avoided in that scenario is that it can increase triglycerides, not reliably lower them or markedly raise HDL.

The main concept here is that bile acid sequestrants, like cholestyramine, can worsen hypertriglyceridemia. While these drugs lower LDL by binding bile acids in the intestine and prompting the liver to use more cholesterol to make new bile acids, in patients with high triglycerides this can backfire. The liver may respond by increasing VLDL production, which raises triglyceride levels. This elevation in triglycerides raises the risk of pancreatitis, which is why cholestyramine is contraindicated when triglycerides are very high (≥300 mg/dL).

So the reason this medication is avoided in that scenario is that it can increase triglycerides, not reliably lower them or markedly raise HDL.

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