COLESTIPOL

Brand & Generic Names

Colestid

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antihyperlipidemic

Uses

• Reduces cholesterol level in blood in patients with type IIa hyperlipidemia.
• Treats overdose of digitalis.
• Reduces skin itching associated with some forms of liver disease.
• Treats diarrhea after some surgical operations.
• Treatment of one form of colitis (rare).

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Oral suspension--Mix well with 6 ounces or more or water or liquid, or in soups, pulpy fruits, with milk or in cereals. Will not dissolve.

When to take:
Before meals.
If taking other medicine, take it 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking colestipol.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Binds with bile acids in intestines, preventing reabsorption.

Time lapse before drug works:
3 to 12 months.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Fecal impaction.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

• Black, tarry stools from gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Constipation, belching, diarrhea, nausea, unexpected weight loss.

Rare:

Hives, skin rash, hiccups.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to colestipol.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have liver disease such as cirrhosis.
• If you are jaundiced.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you are constipated.
• If you have peptic ulcer.
• If you have coronary artery disease.

Over age 60:
Constipation more likely. Other adverse effects more likely.

Pregnancy:
Safety not established. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No proven harm to child. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Only under expert medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Request lab studies to determine serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides.
• May decrease absorption of folic acid.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment, particularly digitalis.

Others:

• This medicine does not cure disorders, but helps to control them.
• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*,	Decreased anti-
oral	coagulant effect.
Beta carotene	Decreased absorption of beta carotene.
Dextrothyroxine	Decreased dextrothyroxine effect.
Digitalis	Decreased absorption
preparations*	of digitalis preparations.
Diuretics, thiazide*	Decreased absorption of thiazide
	diuretics.
Penicillins*	Decreased absorption of
	penicillins.
Tetracyclines*	Decreased absorption of
	tetracyclines.
Thiazides*	Decreased absorption of colestipol.
Thyroid hormones*	Decreased thyroid effect.
Trimethoprim	Decreased absorption of colestipol.
Ursodiol	Decreased absorption of ursodiol.
Vancomycin	Increased chance of hearing loss or
	kidney damage. Decreased
	therapeutic effect of vancomycin.
Vitamins	Decreased absorption of fat-soluble
	vitamins (A,D,E,K)
Other medicines	May delay or reduce absorption.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	Interferes with absorption of
	vitamins. Take supplements.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.