Quantamash sachets are indicated for the treatment of certain forms of hypercholesterolemia (increased level of cholesterol in the blood), when an adapted and diligent diet is not sufficient, or when post-diet cholesterol levels remain high and/or there are associated risk factors. Quantamash sachets are also used to treat itching associated with jaundice. Here is a summary of the information:
- Trade name: Quantamash powder for oral suspension preparation.
- Pharmaceutical form: sachets containing 4 grams of powder.
- Package description: A package containing 12 sachets.
- Scientific name: cholestyramine.
- Producing Company: mash premier
- Price: It ranges between 3 to 4 USD or its equivalent in the local currency of your country of residence.
- Availability: Egypt, and some countries in the Middle East, North and Central Africa
- Common Uses: Increased cholesterol in the blood – Itching associated with jaundice
- Legal description: dispensed by prescription
- Therapeutic group: Blood lipid modulators.
- Therapeutic subclass: bile acid sequestrants..
- Therapeutic and Anatomical Classification Code: C10AC01.
1. What is Quantamash, and when is it used?
This drug is recommended in the following cases:
1. Certain forms of hypercholesterolaemia (increased cholesterol in the blood)
- When an adapted and diligent diet turns out to be insufficient,
- When post-diet cholesterol levels remain elevated and (or) there are associated risk factors.
It is always necessary to continue the diet.
2. Itching associated with some jaundice.
2. What information do you need to know before taking Quantamash?
Never take Quantamash:
- in case of hepatic (liver) insufficiency or obstruction of the bile ducts;
- in case of phenylketonuria (a genetic disease detected at birth);
- if you are allergic to the active substance or any of the other ingredients of this medicine;
The physician may advise against its use in patients with chronic constipation and in the case of concomitant treatment with bile acids.
Warnings and precautions
Diet compliance is essential: In the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, careful compliance with the diet prescribed by the doctor is essential.
Constipation A common side effect of Quantamash: This medicine may cause you to suffer from chronic constipation. Tell your doctor if you suffer from constipation before, during or after using this medicine.
Quantamash affects the absorption of some nutrients: The absorption of some vitamins (A, D, K, E) and folic acid may be affected by Quantamash.
Elderly: With the elderly, treatment should begin with a low dose.
Children: With children, use should only be considered in certain types of lipid disorders. Quantamash should be used in children under special medical supervision.
Quantamash affects other medicines: In general, if your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed a combination treatment, you should take your other medicines 2 hours before or 4 hours after you take Quantamash. This precaution is particularly relevant for oral anticoagulants and thyroid medications. And you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, especially bile acids, whose effectiveness may be decreased.
The dose can be taken directly before, directly after or with food: food and drink do not affect the effectiveness of Quantamash, you just have to take your dose at the same time, the same way each time. There are no foods or drinks that can interfere with the ingredients of this medicine, you just have to take your dose with food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you discover that you are pregnant during treatment, consult your doctor because only he can judge the need to continue treatment. If this treatment seems really necessary after childbirth, breastfeeding is not recommended. As a general guideline, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you think you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines: Quantamash does not affect concentration, does not cause drowsiness so it does not affect driving or operating machines.
Quantamash contains aspartam: Quantamash sachets contain aspartame (a source of the amino acid phenylalanine), so you should not take this medicine if you suffer from a condition called (phenylketonuria)… a rare genetic medical condition that causes an amino acid to build up in the blood. In such condition, a dangerous buildup occurs when a person eats protein-containing foods or takes the artificial sweetener aspartame. This can lead to serious health problems.
3. How do you take Quantamash?
Always take this medication exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts.
The recommended dose is: one sachet three times a day with meals. In some cases, this dose may be exceeded if the treatment is well tolerated. The dosage can also be adjusted by the doctor according to the results of the blood test. As a general guideline for all cases, the physician’s order regarding dosage and duration of treatment should be strictly adhered to.
Instructions and how to prepare a dose of Quantamash
- Pour the powder from one sachet of Quantamash onto the surface of a glass of water (150 mL water); It can also be prepared into fruit juice (especially orange juice) or milk.
- Leave the powder on the surface of the water for two minutes and then stir well with a spoon, trying to crush the lumps that form gradually, until the suspension is completely homogeneous; Now the mix (dose) is ready to drink.
- Quantamash can also be prepared every evening for the next day and stored in the refrigerator.
- The powder in Quantamash sachets should not be taken directly without water (in dry form).
Duration of treatment – long-term from 3 to 6 months or as directed by the doctor: In combination with diet, this medicine must be taken on a long-term basis and its effectiveness must be monitored periodically by doing a blood test. And you have to be sure to follow the dietary recommendations that your doctor prescribes. For Quantamash sachets to be effective, this medicine must be used very regularly and for as long as your doctor advises you, even if it is for a very long time.
How often and when the medicine should be given: On average, 1 sachet 3 times a day at meal times.
Side effects
Like all medicines, Quantamash can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. To reduce these effects, your doctor will advise you to start taking Quantamash at a low dose and then increase it gradually. The side effects associated with this medicine usually go away over time.
The use of Quantamash is associated with a group of common side effects that often affect the stomach and intestines, and constipation is the most frequently observed adverse reaction. This constipation can aggravate pre-existing hemorrhoid symptoms.
Other common adverse effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include: constipation, indigestion, bloating, nausea, vomiting,
There is also a group of uncommon negative effects (may affect 1 out of 100 people), including: lack of appetite, heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea, itchy tongue, itching in the anus.
At high doses, Quantamash can cause greasy stools (steatorrhea).
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people),:
- hard stools
- Hypoprothrombinemia (low prothrombin, a substance necessary for blood clotting).
- hyperchloremic acidosis (too much acid in body fluids)
- Osteoporosis (secondary to decreased absorption of calcium and vitamin D)
- Greater tendency to bleed due to lack of coagulation.
- Hemorrhoids .
- rash.
Reference files and articles related to Quantamash sachets
Cholestran powder PIL – Arabic / PDF file.
Cholestran powder PIL – English/Medical Professions – PDF.
Cholestyramine – Brand names of medicines available in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa
The following list contains a list of the trade names of medicines containing cholestyramine at a concentration of 4 grams (4000 milligrams) in each sachet. All the pharmaceutical products mentioned later are considered equivalent products, and any of them replaces the other in the event that it is not available:
- Cholestran sachets – Pharco Pharmaceutical Company / Egypt.
- Quantamash Bags – Mash Premier Company/ Egypt.
- Qustran sachets – Bristol-Myers Squibb / Multinational Company
