Colestid

The usual adult dose of Colestid (Colestipol) ranges from 2 g to 16 g daily for the tablets, or 5 g to 30 g daily for the granules and orange granules, depending on circumstances. The medication may be given in a single dose or in divided doses.

The tablets should be swallowed whole and not cut, chewed, or crushed. The prescribed amount of tablets can be taken with water or other fluids. The tablets should be taken with meals.

The granules should be added to at least 100 mL of water, milk, flavoured drink, juice, or carbonated beverage. A heavy or pulpy juice may also be used. The mixture should be stirred well until the medication is completely suspended in the liquid. The granules and orange granules will not dissolve. After drinking the mixture, rinse the glass with a small amount of beverage to make sure all the medication is taken. The granules can also be mixed with milk in breakfast cereals, or along with pulpy fruits such as crushed pineapple, pears, peaches, or fruit cocktail. The granules and orange granules should never be taken dry.

Other medications should be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after Colestid (Colestipol).

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Colestid (Colestipol) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause constipation - to prevent this, drink plenty of water or juice, and eat more dietary fibre; it may cause stomach ache; it may cause gas and bloating; it may cause muscle pain; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Granules

Each packet contains 5 g of Colestid (Colestipol). Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide.

Orange Granules

Each packet contains 7.5 g of orange granules equivalent to 5 g of Colestid (Colestipol). Nonmedicinal ingredients: aspartame (phenylalanine 18.2 mg/7.5 g granules), artificial flavour, beta carotene, citric acid, glycerin, maltol, mannitol, methylcellulose, and natural flavour.

Tablets

Each light yellow, film-coated tablet contains 1 g of Colestid (Colestipol) HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cellulose acetate phthalate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, povidone, and triacetin. The tablets contain no calories.

Colestid (Colestipol) HCl resin should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to Colestid (Colestipol) or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• has blocked bile ducts where bile is not secreted into the intestine

In addition, the orange granules should not be used by anyone with phenylketonuria (PKU) as they contain phenylalanine (each 7.5 g of orange granules contains 18.2 mg of phenylalanine).

There may be an interaction between Colestid (Colestipol) and any of the following:

• Amiodarone
• Bezafibrate
• birth control pills (estrogen, progestin)
• oral corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• Deferasirox
• Digoxin
• Diltiazem
• ezetimbe
• Fenofibrate
• Furosemide
• Gemfibrozil
• Leflunomide
• Lomitapide
• Methotrexate
• multivitamin/mineral supplements
• mycophenolate
• Niacin
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• Pravastatin
• Propranolol
• Raloxifene
• Teriflunomide
• tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline, Minocycline)
• thiazide diuretics (e.g., Chlorthalidone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Metolazone)
• Thyroid replacements (e.g., dessicated thyroid, Levothyroxine)
• Ursodiol
• vancomycin
• vitamin D analogues (e.g., alfacalcidol, calcifediol, Calcitriol, cholecalciferol)
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Colestid (Colestipol). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Colestid (Colestipol).

Bleeding tendency: In rare cases, long-term use of Colestid (Colestipol) may cause vitamin K deficiency and therefore increase a tendency to bleed if injured.

Constipation: Colestid (Colestipol) may cause or worsen constipation. Increase your fluid and fibre intake to prevent constipation; your doctor may also recommend a Stool Softener.

Pregnancy: Colestid (Colestipol) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while using Colestid (Colestipol), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: If you are breast-feeding, discuss this with your doctor before taking Cholestyramine resin. Colestid (Colestipol) may interfere with your ability to absorb certain vitamins.

Children: There is limited experience with the use of Colestid (Colestipol) by children. Experts recommend, however, that drug treatment be considered for children 10 years or older who have tried diet therapy but still have unacceptably high serum cholesterol levels. In certain situations where a young child has extremely high serum cholesterol levels, medication treatment may even be started before 10 years of age.

If the child is started on medication therapy, a carefully planned diet therapy should also be followed in order to obtain best results. However, the safety of the tablets for use by patients under 18 years old has not been established. Because Colestid (Colestipol) may interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K), the growth and development of children taking the medication should be monitored closely.

Seniors: People over 60 years of age may be more likely to experience gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) and nutritional (deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K) side effects.

Do not take any medication in the hour preceding or the 4 hours following the use of this resin. The resin could greatly reduce the absorption of other drugs. This medication is typically used twice a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication should be swallowed whole. It should not be split, crushed or chewed. It is preferable to take this medication with a meal.