Colestid (colestipol HCl)

Serum lipoprotein concentrations should be determined periodically and dosage adjusted accordingly to achieve the desired effect while avoiding excessive dosage.

Colestipol hydrochloride is administered orally.

Colestipol hydrochloride tablets must be taken one at a time and promptly swallowed whole, using plenty of water or other appropriate liquid. The tablets must not be cut, crushed, or chewed. Patients should be instructed to take other drugs at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking colestipol tablets to minimize possible interference with absorption. (See Drug Interactions: Effects on GI Absorption of Drugs.)

To avoid accidental inhalation or esophageal distress, colestipol hydrochloride for suspension should not be taken in its dry form. The drug should be added to at least 90 mL of a liquid (e.g., fruit juice, water, milk, a soft drink) and stirred until completely mixed. Some clinicians suggest that palatability and compliance may be increased if the entire next-day's dose is mixed in one of these liquids in the evening and then refrigerated. Use of a heavy or pulpy fruit juice may minimize complaints about consistency of suspensions of the drug. To minimize excessive swallowing of air, patients should be advised to avoid rapid ingestion of suspensions of the drug. If a carbonated beverage is used, excessive foaming can be minimized by mixing the powder slowly in a large glass; however, use of a carbonated beverage as a vehicle may be associated with adverse GI effects. After the mixture is ingested, the glass should be rinsed with a small amount of additional fluid and the remaining liquid should be ingested to ensure that the entire dose has been taken. Alternatively, colestipol may be mixed with cereals, a highly fluid soup, or pulpy fruit (e.g., crushed pineapple, pears, peaches, fruit cocktail).

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

There are no moderate interactions for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.

There are no severe contraindications for this drug.

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.

There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.

No enhanced messaging available.

No enhanced messaging available.

Since colestipol is essentially unabsorbed systemically (less than 0.17% of the dose), the drug is not expected to cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy in recommended dosages. However, safe use of colestipol during pregnancy has not been established and the drug should be used in women who are or may become pregnant only when the potential benefits justify the possible risks. The known interference of colestipol with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins may be detrimental even in the presence of supplementation. (See Drug Interactions: Vitamins.) Currently, most experts recommend that dyslipidemias in pregnant women be managed with dietary measures; consultation with a lipid specialist may be indicated for pregnant women with severe forms of dyslipidemia.

Caution should be exercised when colestipol is administered to nursing women since the possible lack of proper vitamin absorption associated with colestipol therapy may have an effect on nursing infants.

No enhanced messaging available.