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.
High cholesterol in adults; added onto a heart-healthy diet and exercise
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.
Source:Â DailyMed
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.
Available as tablets and granules for suspension
Can take with or without food
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)
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
High cholesterol in adults; added onto a heart-healthy diet and exercise
High cholesterol (in combination with diet)
Itching caused by bile duct blockage
High cholesterol in adults
High cholesterol in certain children 10 to 17 years with genetic cholesterol problems
Type 2 diabetes in adults
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
Camilleri, M., et al. (2020). The role of bile acids in chronic diarrhea. The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Grundy, S. M., et al. (2018). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation.
Kode, V., et al. (2024). Cholestatic pruritus: Pathophysiology, current management approach, and emerging therapies. Current Hepatology Reports.
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. (2017). Bile acids. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Vitamins.
National Human Genome Research Institute. (2014). About phenylketonuria.
Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC. (2024). Colestid- colestipol hydrochloride granule, for suspension; Flavored Colestid- colestipol hydrochloride granule, for suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC. (2024). Colestid- colestipol hydrochloride tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.