Colestipol

Introduction

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on July 31, 2023

Colestipol (koe LES ti pol) is a generic medication prescribed for high cholesterol that doesn’t respond to diet changes in adults. Colestipol belongs to a group of drugs called bile acid sequestrants.

Common questions about colestipol

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about colestipol.

Can colestipol be used for weight loss or diarrhea?

Colestipol isn’t approved for weight loss or to treat diarrhea.

That said, doctors may still prescribe the drug for these or other off-label uses. “Off-label use” is when a drug is prescribed to treat a condition other than its approved uses.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about possible off-label uses for colestipol.

Is colestipol similar to cholestyramine?

Yes, colestipol and cholestyramine are similar.

Colestipol and cholestyramine are both bile acid sequestrant drugs. This means they work in the same way. Both drugs are prescribed to treat high cholesterol in certain people.

Colestipol and cholestyramine can cause some similar side effects. For example, the most common side effects of either drug are digestive problems, including constipation and upset stomach.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor to learn more about how colestipol and cholestyramine compare.

What brand names are available for colestipol?

Colestipol is available as the brand-name drug Colestid.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you’re interested in using brand-name Colestid instead of colestipol.

Is colestipol a statin?

No, colestipol isn’t a statin.

Colestipol belongs to a group of drugs called bile acid sequestrants. Bile acid sequestrants and statin drugs are both prescribed to treat high cholesterol in certain people. But statins also have some other uses, such as lowering the risk of certain heart problems in certain people.

Examples of statin drugs include atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Doctors sometimes prescribe colestipol and a statin drug together.

Your doctor or pharmacist can answer more questions you may have about how colestipol and statins compare.

How does colestipol work? And how long does it take to start working?

Colestipol belongs to a group of drugs called bile acid sequestrants. Bile acid sequestrants work to treat high cholesterol by attaching to bile and forcing it out of your system. (Bile is a substance your body needs to digest food.) This causes your body to make more bile, which requires using cholesterol. This results in less cholesterol in your blood.

Colestipol begins working with your first dose. But you likely won’t “feel” the drug working. It may take several weeks before you notice changes in your cholesterol levels on lab tests.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How should I take colestipol oral granules?

Colestipol oral granules should be taken as an oral suspension. (This is a type of liquid mixture.)

Always mix the granules with plenty of water or another liquid, such as juice, before taking by mouth. You can also mix the granules into cereals with milk, soups, or fruits with pulp. This way, you won’t accidentally inhale or swallow the dry granules, which may irritate your esophagus.

If you have more questions about how to take colestipol oral granules, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of colestipol

Colestipol may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of colestipol and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about colestipol’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for colestipol listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of colestipol are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about colestipol’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for colestipol listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Colestipol’s* mild side effects include:

• constipation
• pain and cramping in your abdomen
• passing gas
• bloating
• indigestion
• mild allergic reaction†

* This includes colestipol oral tablet and colestipol oral granules for suspension (you stir the granules into a liquid to form a type of mixture called a suspension).
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for colestipol” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of colestipol are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about colestipol’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for colestipol listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, colestipol’s serious side effects include:

• increased risk of bleeding
• migraine
• severe constipation
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for colestipol” section.

Uses of colestipol

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as colestipol for certain conditions. Approved uses for colestipol are described below.

Use for lowering cholesterol

Doctors may prescribe colestipol for treating high cholesterol. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With high cholesterol, the amount of cholesterol in your blood is too high. Your body needs some amount of cholesterol to function normally. But when the amount in your blood is too high over time, you have a greater risk for heart and blood vessel problems, including heart attack and stroke.

Colestipol is prescribed together with a heart-healthy diet for treating high cholesterol. Your doctor can give you more information about what a heart-healthy diet looks like for you.

Interactions and warnings for colestipol

Below, you’ll find information about colestipol’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of colestipol

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take colestipol, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for colestipol” section below.

Warnings for colestipol

Some people should not take colestipol, and others should use it cautiously.

Colestipol could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether colestipol is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for colestipol, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Colestipol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to colestipol or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe colestipol. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to colestipol, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of colestipol

You should not take more colestipol than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and colestipol

Information about colestipol and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Colestipol and pregnancy

It’s not known whether colestipol should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Colestipol and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether colestipol should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about colestipol or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How do side effects of colestipol compare with other treatments for my condition?
• Do medications I take interact with colestipol and raise my risk for side effects?
• Does my age affect my risk for side effects from taking colestipol?

Resources

• Colestipol hydrochloride granule, for suspension. (2014). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4e89bf6e-c78a-402e-9cb2-8d02f6047d68/spl-doc
• Colestipol hydrochloride tablet, film coated. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/3d380b5e-e346-4a47-ac95-faa37c6f2a51/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.