ATC Group: C10AC Bile acid sequestrants

Colesevelam is a non-absorbed, lipid-lowering polymer that binds bile acids in the intestine, impeding their reabsorption.

Colestipol is an ion exchange resin which lowers plasma cholesterol through binding with bile acids in the intestinal lumen. It is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet in the management of patients with elevated cholesterol levels who have not responded adequately to diet.

Colestyramine resin absorbs and combines with the bile acids in the intestine to form an insoluble complex which is excreted in the faeces. This results in an increased faecal loss of bile acids which leads to an increased oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids and a decrease in serum cholesterol levels and low density lipoprotein serum levels.