Colestipol

Colestipol is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).

• Colestipol is available under the following different brand names: Colestid

Adult dosage

Granules, bottle

• 5g

Granules, packets

• 5g

Tablet

• 1g

Hyperlipidemia

Adult and geriatric dosage

• Tablets: 2 g orally once daily or every 12 hours; increases of 2 g should occur at 1- or 2-month intervals; titrate not to exceed 16 g/day
• Granules: 5 g orally once daily; increases of 5 g should occur at 1- or 2-month intervals; titrate not to exceed 30 g/day

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Colestipol include:

• constipation, and
• hemorrhoids.

Serious side effects of Colestipol include:

• trouble swallowing,
• severe constipation,
• stomach pain, and
• black, bloody, or tarry stools.

Rare side effects of Colestipol include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Colestipol has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • mycophenolate
• Colestipol has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Colestipol has moderate interactions with the following drugs:
  • cholic acid
  • digoxin
  • doxercalciferol
  • lomitapide
  • obeticholic acid
  • odevixibat
  • omadacycline
  • paricalcitol
  • sarecycline
  • vitamin D
• Colestipol has minor interactions with at least 59 other drugs. 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to colestipol
• Bowel obstruction

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Colestipol?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Colestipol?”

Cautions

• Increased risk of bleeding due to hypoprothrombinemia from vitamin K deficiency
• May interfere with fat absorption and decrease absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
• May worsen pre-existing constipation
• Take other medications 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking colestipol
• If significant increase in triglycerides, consider dose reduction, discontinuation, or alternatives

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Use caution; may interfere with vitamin absorption in infants