Colestipol
Colestipol is used along with diet changes to decrease the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (‘bad cholesterol’) in certain people with high cholesterol. Colestipol is in a class of medications called bile acid sequestrants. It works by binding bile acids in your intestines to form a product that is removed from the body.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Colestipol comes as tablets and granules to take by mouth. The tablets are usually taken once or twice daily. The granules are usually taken one to six times daily. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take colestipol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Unless otherwise instructed, take all other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take colestipol because it can interfere with their absorption.
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water or another liquid; do not chew, split, or crush them.
Your doctor may gradually increase your dose at 1 to 2 month intervals, depending on your response.
Continue to take colestipol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking colestipol without talking to your doctor.
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Do not take the granules dry. Add them to at least 3 ounces (90 milliliters) of a liquid (e.g., fruit juice, water, milk, or soft drink) and stir until completely mixed. If you use a carbonated beverage, mix it slowly in a large glass to minimize foaming. After taking the dose, rinse the glass with a small amount of additional liquid and drink it to be sure that you receive the entire dose.
Colestipol also may be mixed with hot or regular breakfast cereals, thin soups (e.g., tomato and chicken noodle), or pulpy fruit (e.g., crushed pineapple, pears, peaches, and fruit cocktail).
