Uses
Colestipol is used along with diet changes to decrease the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (‘bad cholesterol’) in certain people with high cholesterol. Colestipol is in a class of medications called bile acid sequestrants. It works by binding bile acids in your intestines to form a product that is removed from the body.
Side Effects Of Colestipol
Colestipol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- constipation
- belching
- nausea
- vomiting
- gas
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:
- unusual bleeding (such as bleeding from the gums or rectum)
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking colestipol:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to colestipol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in colestipol preparations. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Pacerone), antibiotics, anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), digitoxin, digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics (‘water pills’), iron, loperamide (Imodium), mycophenolate (Cellcept), oral diabetes medications, phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, propranolol (Inderal, Innopran), and thyroid medications. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had unusual bleeding, an underactive thyroid gland, heart or intestinal disease, or if you have hemorrhoids.
- if you are taking gemfibrozil (Lopid), take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after colestipol.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking colestipol, call your doctor.
Colestipol Dosage
Colestipol comes as tablets and granules to take by mouth. The tablets are usually taken once or twice daily. The granules are usually taken one to six times daily. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take colestipol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Unless otherwise instructed, take all other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take colestipol because it can interfere with their absorption.
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water or another liquid; do not chew, split, or crush them.
Your doctor may gradually increase your dose at 1 to 2-month intervals, depending on your response.
Continue to take colestipol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking colestipol without talking to your doctor.
Do not take the granules dry. Add them to at least 3 ounces (90 milliliters) of a liquid (e.g., fruit juice, water, milk, or soft drink) and stir until completely mixed. If you use a carbonated beverage, mix it slowly in a large glass to minimize foaming. After taking the dose, rinse the glass with a small amount of additional liquid and drink it to be sure that you receive the entire dose.
Colestipol also may be mixed with hot or regular breakfast cereals, thin soups (e.g., tomato and chicken noodle), or pulpy fruit (e.g., crushed pineapple, pears, peaches, and fruit cocktail).
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to colestipol.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
