Sunday, 17 June 2012

Colestipol Granules


Pronunciation: koe-LES-ti-pol
Generic Name: Colestipol
Brand Name: Colestid


Colestipol Granules are used for:

Lowering blood cholesterol levels. It is used along with changes in diet.


Colestipol Granules are a bile acid sequestrant. It works in the bowel to help remove bile acids from the body. The body then uses cholesterol to make more bile acids. This causes blood cholesterol levels to decrease.


Do NOT use Colestipol Granules if:


  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Colestipol Granules

  • you have severe constipation, bile blockage or drainage problems, certain types of high blood lipid levels, or hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis (a type of high blood acid level)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.



Before using Colestipol Granules:


Some medical conditions may interact with Colestipol Granules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:


  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

  • if you have constipation, hemorrhoids, or problems swallowing, or if you choke easily

  • if you have heart disease, blood problems (eg, bleeding or clotting problems), high blood triglyceride levels, kidney or liver problems, underactive thyroid, or phenylketonuria

  • if you cannot absorb nutrients properly into your body

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Colestipol Granules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:


  • Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because their effectiveness may be altered by Colestipol Granules

  • Chlorothiazide, digoxin, furosemide, gemfibrozil, hydrochlorothiazide, oral hydrocortisone, oral phosphate supplements, penicillin, or tetracycline because their effectiveness may be decreased by Colestipol Granules

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Colestipol Granules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


How to use Colestipol Granules:


Use Colestipol Granules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.


  • Take Colestipol Granules by mouth with or without food.

  • Do not take Colestipol Granules in its dry form. Always mix Colestipol Granules as directed before you take it.

  • Add the prescribed amount of medicine to a glassful (at least 3 oz/90 mL) of water or other liquid. Stir until all the medicine is completely mixed. The medicine will not dissolve completely. Drink all the liquid, then rinse the glass with an additional small amount of liquid and drink the contents to be sure the entire dose is taken.

  • You may mix Colestipol Granules with soda or other carbonated drinks; however, this may be more likely to cause stomach upset.

  • You may also mix Colestipol Granules in soups with high fluid content, pulpy fruits (eg, crushed pineapple, pears, peaches, fruit cocktail), or in milk with hot or cold cereals.

  • Take any other medicines at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take Colestipol Granules.

  • Drinking extra fluids and making sure you get enough fiber is recommended while you are taking Colestipol Granules. Check with your doctor for instructions.

  • Continue to take Colestipol Granules even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

  • If you miss a dose of Colestipol Granules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Colestipol Granules.



Important safety information:


  • Colestipol Granules may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Colestipol Granules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

  • Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.

  • Do not take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.

  • If severe or persistent constipation occurs, ask your doctor about taking a stool softener while you take Colestipol Granules.

  • Some of these products contain phenylalanine. If you must have a diet that is low in phenylalanine, ask your pharmacist if it is in your product.

  • Lab tests, including blood cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels, may be performed while you use Colestipol Granules. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

  • Colestipol Granules should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Colestipol Granules can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Colestipol Granules while you are pregnant. It is not known if Colestipol Granules are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Colestipol Granules, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.


Possible side effects of Colestipol Granules:


All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:



Bloating; constipation; diarrhea; gas; heartburn; indigestion; loose stools; nausea; stomach pain or cramping; vomiting.



Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the stools; chest pressure or discomfort; irregular heartbeat; muscle weakness; severe constipation; trouble swallowing; unusual bruising or bleeding.



This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.


See also: Colestipol side effects (in more detail)


If OVERDOSE is suspected:


Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.


Proper storage of Colestipol Granules:

Store Colestipol Granules at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Colestipol Granules out of the reach of children and away from pets.


General information:


  • If you have any questions about Colestipol Granules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

  • Colestipol Granules are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

  • Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Colestipol Granules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.



Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Colestipol resources


  • Colestipol Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Colestipol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Drug Images
  • Colestipol Drug Interactions
  • Colestipol Support Group
  • 0 Reviews for Colestipol - Add your own review/rating


Compare Colestipol with other medications


  • Hyperlipoproteinemia
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIb, Elevated LDL VLDL

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