Are there any toxicological concerns with bile acid sequestrants?
Despite their benefits, bile acid sequestrants can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including constipation, bloating, and nausea. These effects result from their physical presence in the gastrointestinal tract and their ability to interfere with the absorption of nutrients and other medications. Long-term use may lead to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), as these vitamins rely on bile acids for absorption. Therefore, monitoring and supplementation may be necessary in patients on chronic therapy.