Colestipol

Colestipol is a medicine that is often prescribed for the treatment of high cholesterol. The drug helps to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in the blood by binding to bile acids in the intestines and preventing them from being reabsorbed back into the body. Colestipol comes in either tablet or granule form, and is generally taken once or twice a day.

 

Colestipol: An Overview

Colestipol (Colestid®) is a prescription medication that is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, including total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Lowering the amount of cholesterol may help to prevent conditions such as heart disease, angina (chest pain), stroke, or heart attack. Colestipol should be used in combination with diet and exercise for the best effects.
 
(Click What Is Colestipol Used For? for more information on its uses.)
 

Who Makes Colestipol?

Colestipol is manufactured by Pfizer.
 

How Does Colestipol Work?

Colestipol is part of a class of drugs known as bile acid sequestrants. It works by binding to bile acids in the intestines, preventing them from being reabsorbed back into the body. Bile acids are made in the liver from broken-down cholesterol. Therefore, removing these substances from your body helps to lower your blood cholesterol.
 

When and How Do I Take Colestipol?

Some general considerations for when and how to take colestipol include the following:
 
  • Colestipol is taken once or twice a day, depending on your healthcare provider's recommendation.
     
  • Colestipol should be used in combination with lifestyle modifications. This includes a healthy diet that is low in cholesterol and saturated fats, limited alcohol use, weight loss, and exercise.
     
  • Your colestipol dosage should be taken with a meal and plenty of water to avoid constipation.
     
  • Colestipol comes in either tablets or granules. Colestipol tablets are large pills, so be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you have had swallowing or choking problems in the past.
     
  • Do not break, chew, or crush the colestipol tablets.
     
  • Colestipol granules should never be taken in their dry form. Make sure to follow the preparation directions on the prescription. Colestipol may be mixed with water, non-carbonated beverages, liquid soup, apple sauce, or crushed pineapple.
     
  • Colestipol should be taken at the same time each day to help maintain an even level of medicine in the blood. Do not take it more often than directed.
     
  • Colestipol may reduce the absorption of some medications. If you are taking another medication, you may need to take it one hour before or four to six hours after you take colestipol. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can let you know which medications need to be taken separately from colestipol.
     
  • For colestipol to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Colestipol will not work if you stop taking it.
     
(Colestipol Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;