Colestipol : Before Using

Colestipol - Oral

Brand Names

Colestid Colestipol *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For colestipol, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to colestipol. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet Before prescribing drug for your condition, your family doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a diet may be low in fats, sugars andcholesterol. Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following their family doctor's orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed.

Always this drug is less effective if you are greatly overweight. It may be very important for you to go on a reducing diet. However, check with your family doctor before going on any diet.

Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on a low-sodium, low-sugar, or any other special diet.

Pregnancy care

Colestipol is not absorbed into the body and is not likely to cause problems. However, it may reduce absorption of vitamins into the body. Ask your family doctor whether you need to take extra vitamins.

Breast-feeding problem

Colestipol is not absorbed into the body and is not likely to cause problems.

Use for Children

There is no special info comparing use of colestipol in child with use in other age groups. However, use is not recommended in child under 2 years of age since cholesterol is needed for normal development.

Elderly care

Side effects may be more likely to occur in diseaseds over 60 years of age, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of colestipol.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking colestipol it is especially important that your health care professional knows if you are taking any of the following:

Anticoagulants - blood thinners The effects of the anticoagulant may be altered

Digitalis glycosides - heart drug
Diuretics - water pills
Penicillin G, taken by mouth,
Propranolol, taken by mouth,
Tetracyclines - drug for infection, taken by mouth,
Thyroid hormones
Vancomycin, taken by mouth Colestipol may cause these medication to be less effective; these medication must be taken 4 to 5 hours apart from colestipol

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of colestipol. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Bleeding problems
Constipation
Gallstones
Heart or blood vessel disease
Hemorrhoids
Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems
Underactive thyroid Colestipol may make these conditions worse

Kidney disease There is an increased risk of developing electrolyte problems

Liver disease Cholesterol levels may be raised