Cholestyramine and Horse chestnut

• Generic Name: cholestyramine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Cholestyramine Light, Prevalite, Questran, Questran Light, Locholest, Locholest Light, Questran Light Packets, Prevalite Packets, Questran Packets

Cholestyramine helps reduce cholesterol (fatty acids) in the blood. High cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).

Cholestyramine is used to lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ("bad" cholesterol).

Cholestyramine powder is also used to treat itching caused by a blockage in the bile ducts of the gallbladder.

Cholestyramine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: horse chestnut
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Venastat

Horse chestnut is a plant also known as Aescin, Aesculus hippocastanum, Buckeye, Castaño de Indias, Châtaignier de Mer, Châtaignier des Chevaux, Escine, Faux-Châtaignier, Hippocastani, Hippocastanum Vulgare Gaertn, Marron Europeen, Marronnier, Spanish Chestnut, Venostasin Retard, Venostat, White Chestnut, and other names.

Horse chestnut has been used in alternative medicine and is likely effective in treating some symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (decreased blood flow return from the feet and legs back to the heart). These symptoms include leg pain or tenderness, varicose veins, itching or swelling in the legs, and fluid retention (puffy or swollen ankles or feet).

Other uses not proven with research have included fever, cough, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, enlarged prostate, menstrual cramps, and swelling caused by arthritis, sprains, or bone fractures.

It is not certain whether horse chestnut is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Horse chestnut should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Horse chestnut is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Horse chestnut may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.