colestipol
Colestipol, also known by its brand name Colestid, is a bile acid sequestrant that's used to treat high cholesterol in adults. It should be taken along with having a balanced diet and exercise routine to help lower cholesterol. The tablets and granules for suspension are taken either once per day or many times per day, depending on the dose. Side effects are generally limited to the stomach and can include constipation, bloating, and stomach pain. Colestipol (Colestid) has brand-name and generic versions.
What is Colestipol (Colestid)?
What is Colestipol (Colestid) used for?
- High cholesterol in adults; added onto a heart-healthy diet and exercise
How Colestipol (Colestid) works
Colestipol (Colestid) is a bile acid sequestrant. It works by attaching to bile acid in your intestines and making your body get rid of bile acid through your stool. This causes your liver to make more bile acid from the cholesterol in your body. As a result, the amount of cholesterol in your blood drops.
Drug facts
Side effects of Colestipol (Colestid)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Constipation
Less Common Side Effects
- Gas
- Bloating
- Stomach pain
- Stomach cramps
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Colestipol (Colestid) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Blockage in the digestive tract: severe constipation, severe stomach pain, blood in your stool
The following Colestipol (Colestid) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Rare
Loss of weight (sudden)
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Colestipol (Colestid)
Pros
- Available as tablets and granules for suspension
- Can take with or without food
- An alternative to a statin
Cons
- Not a first-choice medication for lowering cholesterol
- Need to take other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after colestipol (Colestid)
- Might need to take multiple times per day, especially if you're taking higher doses or if you're having side effects (e.g., stomach upset)
Pharmacist tips for Colestipol (Colestid)
- Mark your calendar with your appointments to follow up with your prescriber. Also get your blood work done to see how well colestipol (Colestid) is working to lower your cholesterol levels. Discuss with your prescriber about your cholesterol levels and any side effects to see whether you need any changes to your treatment plan.
- For the colestipol (Colestid) tablets: Swallow each tablet whole; never chew, crush, or cut the tablets. If you need to take more than 1 tablet for each dose, take 1 tablet at a time and swallow each tablet with plenty of water or other drink. Ask your prescriber about your options if you're having trouble swallowing the tablets.
- For the colestipol (Colestid) granules for suspension: The granules come in either single-dose packets or a bulk bottle that you'll need to scoop the granules out of. Mix the granules with at least 3 ounces of water or another liquid. Stir until it's completely mixed; the granules won't dissolve. Then, drink the mixture. Rinse the glass with more liquid and drink it to make sure you've taken all the medication.
- Colestipol (Colestid) commonly causes constipation. It's typically mild and goes away as you continue to take the medication. Try preventing or managing constipation by adding more fiber to your diet and staying hydrated. You can also consider some over-the-counter medications to help relieve constipation. Talk to your prescriber if your constipation doesn't get better or if it gets severe.
- Take any other medications that you swallow at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take colestipol (Colestid). This helps prevent colestipol (Colestid) from attaching to other medications in your stomach and interfering with how well they get absorbed into your body.
- Work with your care team to make a plan that includes a balanced, heart-healthy diet that's low in fat and sugar and a regular exercise routine while you're taking colestipol (Colestid). This will help you get the most benefit out of treatment.
- Let your prescriber know if you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Colestipol (Colestid) can block how well certain vitamins get absorbed into the body. These vitamins are important for a healthy pregnancy. They're also important vitamins that your baby should get from your breast milk.
Common questions about Colestipol (Colestid)
You can eat at any time after you take colestipol (Colestid). You can take this medication with or without food.
Yes, you can take colestipol (Colestid) on an empty stomach if you'd like. Food doesn't affect how the medication works. For this reason, you can actually take colestipol (Colestid) with or without food. Keep in mind that you'll need to mix the granule form of the medication with some sort of liquid before you take it.
Although bile acid sequestrants like colestipol (Colestid) have been studied for treating diarrhea, there isn't enough clinical evidence to make a clear recommendation about whether it's beneficial. Colestipol (Colestid) isn't FDA approved for this purpose and should only be used for diarrhea if a healthcare professional specifically says it's safe for you. Contact your primary care provider if you have diarrhea. They'll probably recommend diet changes or over-the-counter medications as first steps.
No, colestipol (Colestid) isn't a statin. This medication is a bile acid sequestrant. Bile acid sequestrants and statins are two completely different classes of medications for cholesterol. They work in different ways to lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL). It's possible for someone to take both colestipol (Colestid) and a statin together to help lower cholesterol.
Colestipol (Colestid) isn't known to cause hair loss. Let your care team know if you experience hair loss during treatment. They can examine you and discuss with you about possible causes of your hair loss, such as other medications or medical conditions.
No, weight gain isn't a typical side effect of colestipol (Colestid). Let your primary care provider know if you notice unusual or unexpected weight gain while you're taking colestipol (Colestid). They can try to help you figure out what's causing this weight gain.
Both colestipol (Colestid) and cholestyramine (Prevalite) are bile acid sequestrants that can be used to treat high cholesterol (as an add-on to a heart-healthy diet and exercise). But cholestyramine (Prevalite) is also used to help treat itching from having too much bile (a medical condition called cholestatic pruritis). Colestipol (Colestid) is available as tablets and granules for suspension, whereas cholestyramine (Prevalite) is only as a powder for suspension. Ask a member of your care team if you have specific questions about comparing these medications and choosing an option that best fits your needs.
Colestipol (Colestid) doesn't get absorbed into your body so it actually doesn't stay in your system. When you take colestipol (Colestid), it works in your digestive tract (stomach and intestines) where it attaches to bile acid. Once attached to the bile acid, the medication-bile acid mixture gets removed from your digestive tract in your stool.
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Risks and warnings for Colestipol (Colestid)
Colestipol (Colestid) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of choking
- Risk factors: Swallowing the granules for suspension in its dry form | Swallowing multiple tablets at the same time | Swallowing problems | Changes to the anatomy of your digestive tract
Taking colestipol (Colestid) granules for suspension in its dry form raises your risk of choking. Be sure to mix the granules with 3 ounces of liquid before you take the medication. In addition, taking multiple tablets at the same time (instead of one right after the other) can also put you at risk of choking. Ask your prescriber whether this medication is right for you if you already have trouble swallowing. Let your prescriber know right away if you feel pressure or discomfort in your throat after swallowing the medication.
Low vitamin A, D, E, and K and folic acid
Colestipol (Colestid) might lower how well your body absorbs certain vitamins, in particular vitamin A, D, E, and K and folic acid. Ask your prescriber if you need to take supplements to keep your vitamin levels healthy. If you're taking these supplements, make sure you take them at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after colestipol (Colestid) so the medication doesn't interfere with the vitamins.
Higher risk of bleeding
- Risk factors: Taking colestipol (Colestid) for a long period of time | Taking blood thinners
Colestipol (Colestid) can raise your risk of bleeding. This is because the medication can cause low levels of vitamin K, which is an important vitamin that helps stop bleeding. The risk is higher if you're taking colestipol (Colestid) for a long time or if you're also taking blood thinners. Tell your prescriber if you notice unexplained bruising, blood in your stool, or bleeding that takes a long time to stop.
Must separate from other medications
Make sure to take any other medications that you take by mouth at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take colestipol (Colestid) to avoid drug interactions. Colestipol (Colestid) can lower how well your body absorbs other medications. This can possibly affect how well these other medications work for you. Examples of medications that can interact with colestipol (Colestid) in this way include birth control pills and thyroid medications.
Caution in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - granules for oral suspension only
The granules for suspension form of colestipol (Colestid) can contain phenylalanine, a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame. If you have a genetic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU), taking this form of the medication can be dangerous for you. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure whether the granules for suspension you have are safe for you to take. There are other manufacturers that make the medication in a formulation that might be safer for you.
Colestipol (Colestid) dosage
Bottle of powder| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500g of 5g/dose | 1 bottle | $65.90 | $65.90 |
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 packets of 5g | 1 carton | $33.42 | $33.42 |
| 90 packets of 5g | 1 carton | $91.26 | $91.26 |
Packet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5g of 5g/dose | 30 packets | $33.42 | $1.11 |
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1g | 180 tablets | $68.05 | $0.38 |
Typical dosage for Colestipol (Colestid)
You'll typically start colestipol (Colestid) at a low dose. Your prescriber might raise your dose every 1 or 2 months based on your cholesterol levels and the side effects you might. You can take the dose at all once or split it up into smaller doses throughout the day.
- Colestipol (Colestid) 1-gram tablets: The typical dose ranges from 2 to 16 grams by mouth per day.
- Colestipol (Colestid) granules for suspension (5 grams per packet or scoop): The typical dose ranges from 5 to 30 grams by mouth per day. Mix each dose with at least 3 ounces of water or other liquid before you take it.
Interactions between Colestipol (Colestid) and other drugs
More on Colestipol (Colestid) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Bezafibrate
- Deferasirox
- Digoxin
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aceclofenac
- Diclofenac
- Diltiazem
- Ezetimibe
- Fenofibrate
- Furosemide
- Hydrocortisone
- Tetracycline
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