colestipol (Colestid)

Introduction

Tradename: Colestid.

Indications

• treatment of hypercholesterolemia & elevated LDL cholesterol
• treatment of relapsing colitis due to C difficile
• relief from pruritus associated with increased amounts of bile acids
• treatment of digitalis toxicity

Tabs: 1 g: start 2 g PO QD/BID, max 16 g/day

Granules:

• start 5 g PO QD/BID, max 30 g/day
• mix in cold liquids (juice at least 90 mL)
• stir until completely mixed
• medication will not dissolve

Granules: 500 g (450 g {flavored})

Packets: 5 g, 7.5 g (orange)

Pharmacokinetics

colestipol is not absorbed

elimination via feces

Adverse effects

• common (> 10%)
  • constipation
• less common (1-10%)
  • abdominal pain & distension, belching, flatulence, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea
• uncommon (< 1%)
  • peptic ulceration, GI irritation & bleeding, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, dermatitis, urticaria, joint pain, arthritis, headache, dizziness, anxiety, vertigo, drowsiness, anorexia, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, increased serum phosphorous & serum chloride, decreased serum Na+ & serum K+
• other - increased levels of triglycerides

• drug adverse effects of anti-hyperlipidemic agents

Drug interactions

• interferes with absorption of many medications
• take other medications 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after colestipol

• drug interaction(s) of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists with colestipol

Mechanism of action

• depletes bile acid pool
• removes plasma LDL cholesterol
• upregulates hepatic LDL receptors

More general terms

• bile acid sequestrant

Additional terms

• cholesterol
• Clostridium difficile; Clostridioides difficile
• low density lipoprotein (LDL, beta-lipoprotein)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=62816
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=3084661