Colestipol oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes colestipol oral tablet’s dosage and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for colestipol. To learn more about colestipol, talk with your doctor.

Colestipol oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Colestid. Colestipol also comes in another oral form, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about the other oral form talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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Form and strength of colestipol

Colestipol oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: oral tablet, which you’ll take by swallowing
• Strength: 1 gram (g)

Dosage of colestipol

This article describes the recommended dosage for colestipol oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of colestipol oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosage of colestipol in adults

Colestipol oral tablet is approved to help lower cholesterol in adults with high cholesterol. For this use, colestipol oral tablet is prescribed along with dietary changes.

Dosage for high cholesterol

• Starting dosage: 2 grams (g), which can be taken as 2 g once per day or 1 g twice per day
• Maintenance dosage: 2 to 16 g, taken as one dose per day or divided into two doses per day
• Maximum dosage: 16 g per day

To help reduce the risk of side effects, doctors prescribe a low starting dosage of colestipol oral tablet. The typical starting dosage is 2 g (two 1-g tablets) taken once or twice per day. Your doctor will likely increase your dose every 1 or 2 months until the right dosage is reached.

Here are some tips on how to take colestipol oral tablet:

• Take the tablet with plenty of water or another liquid.
• Swallow only one colestipol tablet at a time.
• If you take other medications, wait at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after your dose of colestipol before taking other medications.
• If you have difficulty taking this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about colestipol oral tablet and its dosage.

What is the dosage of colestipol for diarrhea?

Colestipol isn’t approved to treat diarrhea. So, there isn’t an approved dosage for this use.

In some cases, doctors may prescribe colestipol off-label for certain conditions. Examples include irritable bowel syndrome and bile acid problems.

With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for. If your doctor prescribes colestipol off-label for diarrhea, they’ll tell you how much to take and how often.

If you have questions about treatment options for diarrhea, talk with your doctor. 

How soon can you eat after taking colestipol?

The drugmaker of colestipol oral tablet does not provide guidance on whether colestipol should be taken with or without food. But there’s no known reason to delay eating after you take colestipol.

Doctors usually recommend taking colestipol before meals or with meals. This advice applies to most of the medications in the group of drugs that colestipol belongs to (bile acid sequestrants).

Do not take any other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after your dose of colestipol. This is important to help prevent drug interactions.

For some people, taking colestipol on an empty stomach may cause indigestion or other side effects. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for advice on when and how to take cholestipol oral tablet.

Is colestipol oral tablet taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe colestipol oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take colestipol oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

Colestipol coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for colestipol when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of colestipol

It’s important that you do not take more colestipol oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

What to do if you take too much colestipol

If you think you’ve taken too much colestipol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.