Colestipol Description

Generic Name: COLESTIPOL

Pronunciation: (koe les' ti pole)

Trade Name(s): Colestid

Why it is prescribed: Colestipol is used with diet therapy to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

When it is to be taken: Colestipol usually is taken two to four times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription lable carefully. Take all other medications at least one hour before or four hours after you take colestipol because colestipol can interfere with their absorption.

How it should be taken: Colestipol comes in the form of granules. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not take the granules dry. Add them to at least three ounces 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. For convenience and to imporve taste, mix your entire next-day's dose in a liquid in the evening and refrigerate it. Colestipol also may be mixed with hot or regular breakfast cereals, thin soups or pulpy fruit.

Special Instruction:
1. You probably will have blood tests periodically to determine the amount of cholesterol and fats in your blood. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your response to this medication can be evaluated.
2. The major risk factors in developing arteriosclerosis (and heart attacks and strokes) are high blood levels of cholesterol and fats, obesity, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
3. Follow your doctor's advice on smoking, diet, exercise, and weight control.
4. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, take your medication regularly and follow your doctor's dietary instructions (e.g., low-sodium or low-salt diet for high blood pressure).
5. Special dietary instructions should be followed. Eat a low-cholesterol, low fat diet: cottage cheese, fat-free milk, egg whites, fish, vegetables, poultry, and polyunsaturated oils and margarines. Avoid meat (especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese, coconut and palm oils, and other fatty and fried foods.
6. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Side Effects:
1. Constipation. Eat a high-fiber diet (extra fruits, vegetables, salads, and bran). Ask your doctor to recommend a stool softener. If constipation persists or is severe, contact your doctor.
2. Belching, nausea, vomiting, gas. Contact your doctor if these effects are severe or persist.
3. Unusual bleeding. Contact your doctor. You may need to take vitamin K.

Other Precautions:
1. Before you take colestipol, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or constipated; have a history of unusual bleeding; or have hermorrhoids, an underactive thyroid gland, or heart or intestinal disease.
2. Before you take this drug, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially digitoxin, digoxin, penicillin, propranolol, tetracycline, and oral diabetes medication.
3. Do not stop taking colestipol without consulting your doctor. Stopping colestipol can affect your response to other drugs.
4. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from moisture.