Colestipol (Cont.)

Colestipol: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking colestipol, you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have:
 
  • Stomach problems
  • Gallbladder disease or gallstones
  • Heart disease
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Constipation
  • Biliary obstruction
  • Thyroid problems
  • Phenylketonuria
  • Recent surgery
  • Bleeding problems
  • An allergy to colestipol or to any other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
It is also important to let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding
  • A frequent user of alcoholic beverages.
     
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Colestipol to learn more, including information on who should not take colestipol.)
 

Colestipol Alternatives

A treatment plan to lower cholesterol typically begins with lifestyle modifications. This includes a diet that is low in cholesterol (see Low Cholesterol Diet) and saturated fats, limited alcohol use, weight loss, and exercise. If lifestyle changes alone do not lower cholesterol levels enough, certain medications, such as colestipol, may be necessary.
 
In general, cholesterol treatment is aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol levels enough to reduce the risk of complications commonly associated with high cholesterol (see Effects of High Cholesterol). If you are at a higher risk, you will have a lower LDL goal.
 
(Click High Cholesterol Risk to see a list of risk factors that may affect your cholesterol level and a general guideline of ideal LDL cholesterol levels.)
 
For most people, colestipol is quite effective in lowering cholesterol. It is also generally well tolerated. However, side effects can occur, and people may wish to consider a substitute. This could include other bile acid sequestrants, statins, or other cholesterol medicines.
 
(Click Colestipol Alternatives to learn more.)
 
(Colestipol Continued: Page 4)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;