Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 29, 2020.

• Overview
• Side Effects
• Dosage
• Professional
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Pronunciation

(koe LES ti pole)

Index Terms

• Colestipol HCl
• Colestipol Hydrochloride

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Granules, Oral, as hydrochloride:

Colestid: 5 g/5 g scoop (300 g, 500 g) [contains aspartame; unflavored flavor]

Colestid Flavored: 5 g/7.5 g scoop (450 g) [contains aspartame; orange flavor]

Generic: 5 g/5 g scoop (500 g)

Packet, Oral, as hydrochloride:

Colestid: 5 g (30 ea, 90 ea) [unflavored flavor]

Colestid Flavored: 5 g (60 ea) [contains aspartame; orange flavor]

Generic: 5 g (30 ea, 90 ea)

Tablet, Oral, as hydrochloride:

Colestid: 1 g

Generic: 1 g

Brand Names: U.S.

• Colestid
• Colestid Flavored

Pharmacologic Category

• Antilipemic Agent, Bile Acid Sequestrant

Pharmacology

Binds with bile acids to form an insoluble complex that is eliminated in feces; it thereby increases the fecal loss of bile acid-bound low density lipoprotein cholesterol

Absorption

None

Excretion

Feces

Onset of Action

Lowering of serum cholesterol: ~1 month; LDL-C reduction: ~19%

Use: Labeled Indications

Primary hypercholesterolemia: Adjunctive therapy to diet in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia

Off Label Uses

Pruritus with primary biliary cholangitis

Based on limited and older data for cholestyramine (which is approved for relief of pruritus associated with partial biliary obstruction), as well as clinical experience, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommends the use of bile acid sequestrants as first-line treatment of pruritus associated with cholestasis ^{[Datta 1963]}, ^{[Lindor 2018]}. Although specific data for colestipol are lacking, colestipol may be considered instead of cholestyramine based on patient preference ^{[Lindor 2018]}, ^{[Schlichting 2001]}.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to colestipol or any component of the formulation

Canadian labeling: Additional contraindications (not in US labeling): Complete biliary obstruction; phenylketonurics (Colestid Orange Granules only)

Dosing: Adult

Primary hypercholesterolemia: Note: May be considered in patients with fasting triglyceride level ≤300 mg/dL who do not meet cholesterol treatment goals with dietary modification and other lipid lowering therapies (eg, maximally tolerated statin and ezetimibe) (AHA/ACC [Grundy 2018]). Oral:

Granules: Initial: 5 g once or twice daily; increase by 5 g per day at 1- to 2-month intervals. In patients with preexisting constipation, initiate at 5 g once daily for 5 to 7 days, then increase to 5 g twice daily. Maintenance: 5 to 30 g/day administered once daily or in divided doses.

Tablets: Initial: 2 g once or twice daily; increase by 2 g once or twice daily at 1- to 2-month intervals. Maintenance: 2 to 16 g/day administered once daily or in divided doses.

Pruritus with primary biliary cholangitis (off-label use): Oral: Granules: Initial: 5 g once daily; increase as needed, up to 30 g/day (Schlichting 2001).

Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.

Dosing: Geriatric

Refer to adult dosing.

Dosing: Pediatric

Dyslipidemia: Limited data available: Note: Bile acid sequestrant therapy should not be used in pediatric patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Statins are recommended as the primary agent for management of hypercholesterolemia, particularly those in high-risk categories. Multivitamin supplementation recommended due to potential folic acid and cholecalciferol malabsorption (AACE [Jellinger 2017]).

Fixed dosing: Children ≥8 years and Adolescents: Oral: Reported range: 2 to 12 g/day; in one trial, both the 10 g once daily and 5 g twice daily were shown to produce significant lowering of serum cholesterol (McCrindle 2002; Tonstad 1996); doses <10 g suggested to maximize tolerability (AACE [Jellinger 2017])

Weight-directed dosing: Children ≥3 years and Adolescents: Very limited data available: 125 to 250 mg/kg/day has been used in patients 3 to 24 years of age (mean age: 13.7 years) with familial hypercholesterolemia (Schlierf 1982). Note: Although colestipol has been used in patients down to 3 years of age, experts recommend the initiation of drug therapy for management of hypercholesterolemia in pediatric patients who are older (eg ≥10 years) (AACE [Jellinger 2017]).

Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.

Reconstitution

Granules for oral suspension: Add granules to ≥90 mL of any beverage (Note: mixing with carbonated beverages may lead to GI discomfort). Stir until completely mixed (granules will not dissolve in liquid). May also be mixed with milk in cereal or with soups, or added to pulpy fruits (eg, fruit cocktail, crushed pineapple, peaches, pears).

Administration

Other drugs should be administered at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after colestipol.

Granules: Do not administer in dry form (to avoid esophageal distress or accidental inhalation). After mixing and administration of granules, rinse glass with a small amount of liquid and ingest to ensure all medication is taken.

Tablets: Administer tablets 1 at a time, swallowed whole, with plenty of liquid. Do not cut, crush, or chew tablets.

Dietary Considerations

Some products may contain phenylalanine.

Storage

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).

Drug Interactions

Amiodarone: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the bioavailability of Amiodarone. Management: Consider alternatives to this combination due to the risk of subtherapeutic amiodarone serum concentrations. If amiodarone is coadministered with colesevelam, administer amiodarone at least 4 hours before colesevelam. Consider therapy modification

Cardiac Glycosides: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Cardiac Glycosides. Monitor therapy

Chenodiol: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Chenodiol. Management: Administration of chenodiol 5 hours or more after bile acid sequestrants may reduce the magnitude of this interaction. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effects of chenodiol in patients receiving bile acid sequestrants. Consider therapy modification

Cholic Acid: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Cholic Acid. Management: Administer cholic acid at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after administration of any bile acid-binding products to minimize the potential for a significant interaction. Consider therapy modification

Corticosteroids (Oral): Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Corticosteroids (Oral). Monitor therapy

Deferasirox: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Deferasirox. Management: Avoid combination when possible; if the combination must be used, consider a 50% increase in initial deferasirox dose, with monitoring of serum ferritin concentrations and clinical responses to guide further dosing. Consider therapy modification

DilTIAZem: Colestipol may decrease the absorption of DilTIAZem. Monitor therapy

Estrogen Derivatives (Contraceptive): Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Estrogen Derivatives (Contraceptive). Management: Administer estrogen-based oral contraceptives at least 1 to 4 hours prior to or 4 to 6 hours after administration of a bile acid sequestrant. Consider therapy modification

Ezetimibe: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Ezetimibe. Management: Administer ezetimibe at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after any bile acid sequestrant. Consider therapy modification

Fibric Acid Derivatives: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Fibric Acid Derivatives. Management: Separate doses by at least 2 hours to minimize this interaction; fenofibric acid labeling recommends administration one hour prior to or 4-6 hours after a bile acid sequestrant. Consider therapy modification

Leflunomide: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease serum concentrations of the active metabolite(s) of Leflunomide. Management: Unless using this combination to intentionally enhance leflunomide elimination, consider an alternative to the bile acid sequestrants when possible. Separating drug administration is not likely to be effective at avoiding this interaction. Consider therapy modification

Lomitapide: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Lomitapide. Management: Administer lomitapide at least 4 hours before or after administration of a bile acid sequestrant. Consider therapy modification

Loop Diuretics: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Loop Diuretics. Monitor therapy

Methotrexate: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Methotrexate. Monitor therapy

Methylfolate: Colestipol may decrease the serum concentration of Methylfolate. Monitor therapy

Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE): Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE). Management: Avoid concomitant administration of multivitamins and bile acid sequestrants (eg, cholestyramine). Separate administration of these agents by several hours to minimize the risk of an interaction. Consider therapy modification

Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron): Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron). Specifically, bile acid sequestrants may impair the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Management: Avoid concomitant administration of multivitamins and bile acid sequestrants (eg, cholestyramine). Separate administration of these agents by several hours to minimize the risk of an interaction. Consider therapy modification

Multivitamins/Minerals (with AE, No Iron): Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Minerals (with AE, No Iron). Management: Avoid concomitant administration of multivitamins and bile acid sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine). Separate administration of these agents by several hours to minimize the risk of an interaction. Consider therapy modification

Mycophenolate: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Mycophenolate. Avoid combination

Niacin: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Niacin. Management: Consider separating the administration times of niacin and bile acid sequestrants by a few hours in order to reduce the potential for decreased efficacy of these agents. Consider therapy modification

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents. Monitor therapy

Obeticholic Acid: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Obeticholic Acid. Management: Administer obeticholic acid at least 4 hours before or at least 4 hours after the administration of bile acid sequestrants. Consider therapy modification

Pravastatin: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Pravastatin. Management: Administer pravastatin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after administration of bile-acid resins (eg, cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam) to minimize the risk for any significant interaction. Consider therapy modification

Progestins (Contraceptive): Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Progestins (Contraceptive). Management: Administer oral progestin-containing contraceptives at least 1 to 4 hours prior to or 4 to 6 hours after administration of a bile acid sequestrant. Consider therapy modification

Propranolol: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Propranolol. Monitor therapy

Raloxifene: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Raloxifene. Management: Consider separating the doses of raloxifene and bile acid sequestrants by at least 4 hours. Consider therapy modification

Teriflunomide: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Teriflunomide. Management: Unless using this combination to intentionally enhance teriflunomide elimination, consider an alternative to the bile acid sequestrants when possible. Separating drug administration is unlikely to be effective at avoiding the interaction. Consider therapy modification

Tetracyclines: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Tetracyclines. Monitor therapy

Thiazide and Thiazide-Like Diuretics: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the absorption of Thiazide and Thiazide-Like Diuretics. The diuretic response is likewise decreased. Management: Consider separating administraton of bile acid sequestrants and thiazide diuretics by at least 4 hours. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effects of thiazide diuretics if coadministered with a bile acid sequestrant. Consider therapy modification

Thyroid Products: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Thyroid Products. Management: Administer oral thyroid products at least 4 h prior to colesevelam, and at least 1 h before or 4-6 h after cholestyramine. Specific recommendations for colestipol are not available. Monitor for decreased concentrations/effects of the thyroid product. Consider therapy modification

Ursodiol: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Ursodiol. Management: Administer ursodiol 2 to 4 hours before or at least 2 to 5 hours after bile acid sequestrants to minimize the potential for any significant interaction. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effects of ursodiol in patients receiving bile acid sequestrants. Consider therapy modification

Vancomycin: Bile Acid Sequestrants may diminish the therapeutic effect of Vancomycin. Management: Avoid concurrent administration of oral vancomycin and bile acid sequestrants when possible. If use of both agents is necessary, consider separating doses by at least 2 hours to minimize the significance of the interaction. Consider therapy modification

Vitamin D Analogs: Bile Acid Sequestrants may decrease the serum concentration of Vitamin D Analogs. More specifically, bile acid sequestrants may impair absorption of Vitamin D Analogs. Management: Avoid concomitant administration of vitamin D analogs and bile acid sequestrants (eg, cholestyramine). Separate administration of these agents by several hours to minimize the potential risk of interaction. Monitor plasma calcium concentrations. Consider therapy modification

Adverse Reactions

The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.

Frequency not defined.

Cardiovascular: Angina, chest pain, peripheral edema, tachycardia

Central nervous system: Dizziness, fatigue, headache (including migraine and sinus headache), insomnia

Dermatologic: Dermatitis, skin rash, urticaria

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, anorexia, bloating, constipation, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, dysphagia, esophageal obstruction, flatulence, heartburn, hemorrhoidal bleeding, nausea, peptic ulcer, vomiting

Hepatic: Increased serum alkaline phosphatase, increased serum ALT, increased serum AST

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia, arthritis, back pain, myalgia, weakness

Respiratory: Dyspnea

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Acidosis: Chronic use may lead to development of hyperchloremic acidosis.

• Bleeding: Chronic use may be associated with bleeding problems due to hypoprothrombinemia from vitamin K deficiency; may be prevented with use of vitamin K therapy.

• Constipation: May produce or exacerbate constipation; fecal impaction may occur; initiate therapy at a reduced dose and increase gradually in patients with a history of constipation. Encourage increased fluid and fiber intake; a stool softener may also be indicated. Hemorrhoids may be worsened.

• Hypothyroidism: There is a theoretical risk of developing hypothyroidism, particularly in patients with limited thyroid reserve. Use with caution.

Disease-related concerns:

• Hypertriglyceridemia: Bile acid sequestrants can increase serum triglyceride concentrations. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association recommends avoiding use in patients with fasting triglyceride levels ≥300 mg/dL (ACC/AHA [Grundy 2018]).

Dosage form specific issues:

• Granules: Colestipol granules should never be taken in dry form; may cause esophageal spasm and/or respiratory distress.

• Phenylalanine: Some products may contain phenylalanine.

Other warnings/precautions:

• Hyperlipidemia: Secondary causes of hyperlipidemia should be ruled out prior to therapy initiation.

• Patients susceptible to fat-soluble vitamin and folic acid deficiencies: Use with caution in patients susceptible to fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies. Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K and folic acid may be decreased; patients should take vitamins ≥4 hours before colestipol.

Monitoring Parameters

Lipid profile (fasting or nonfasting) before initiating treatment. Fasting lipid profile should be rechecked 4 to 12 weeks after starting therapy and every 3 to 12 months thereafter (AHA/ACC [Grundy 2018])

Pregnancy Considerations

Lipid concentrations increase during pregnancy as required for normal fetal development. When increases are greater than expected, supervised dietary intervention should be initiated. Bile acid sequestrants are recommended when treatment is needed (Avis 2009; Jacobson 2015).

Colestipol is not absorbed systemically (<0.17%), but may interfere with maternal vitamin absorption; therefore, regular prenatal supplementation may not be adequate.

Patient Education

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to lower cholesterol.

• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Heartburn

• Abdominal cramps

• Passing gas

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Bruising

• Bleeding

• Severe abdominal pain

• Severe constipation

• Trouble swallowing

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a limited summary of general information about the medicine's uses from the patient education leaflet and is not intended to be comprehensive. This limited summary does NOT include all information available about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. For a more detailed summary of information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine, please speak with your healthcare provider and review the entire patient education leaflet.

Further information

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