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Colestipol Medicine - Uses & Side Effects

By: alien Colestipol is a cholesterol lowering drug. Because lowering high cholesterol levels is an important part of preventing heart disease and arteriosclerosis. It is used to reduce the amount of cholesterol and various fatty substances that are available in your blood. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina, strokes, and heart attacks.

Colestid is a medicine which absorbs bile acids from the intestines. In most people bile acids are absorbed after digestion, but if you have had your gallbladder removed you may produce too much bile and need extra help from medications.

Colestid Dosage

* The usual starting dose is 1 packet or 1 level scoopful once or twice a day.
* If you are taking Colestid tablets, then the usual starting dose is 2 grams once or twice a day.

Uses of Colestid

* Colestipol is used to lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
* It may also be used to treats other medical conditions those are listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Colestid

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

* Constipation
* Worsening of hemorrhoids
* Diarrhoea
* Vomiting
* Nausea
*Release of trapped air through the mouth or bowel (belching and flatulence)
* Indigestion (dyspepsia)
* Blood in the stools
* Abdominal discomfort

Warnings and precautions before taking Colestid:

Before starting treatment with Colestid, you should:

* Be tested for diseases that may contribute to increased blood cholesterol, such as an underactive thyroid gland, diabetes, nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disease), dysproteinemia (a blood disease), obstructive liver disease, and alcoholism.
* Your cholesterol and triglyceride levels should be checked regularly while you are taking Colestid.
* You should tell your doctor if you are allergic to colestipol or any other drugs.
* If you are taking prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amiodarone (Cordarone), antibiotics, anticoagulants such as warfarin, digitoxin, digoxin, diuretics, iron, loperamide, oral diabetes medications, phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, then you should tell your doctor.
* You should tell your doctor if you have or have ever had unusual bleeding, an underactive thyroid gland, heart or intestinal disease, or if you have hemorrhoids.
* If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, then you should tell your doctor.
* Be on a diet plan (approved by your doctor) that stresses low-cholesterol foods and weight loss.

Because certain medications may increase cholesterol, you should tell your doctor all of the medications you use.

Drug Interaction :- If you are taking Colestid with certain other drugs, then the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Colestid with the following:

* Chlorothiazide
* Digitalis
* Furosemide
* Gemfibrozil
* Hydrochlorothiazide
* Hydrocortisone
* Propranolol
* Tetracycline drugs such as Sumycin

Overdose

Overdoses of Colestid have not been reported. If an overdose occurred, the most likely harmful effect would be obstruction of the stomach and/or intestines. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical help immediately.

Symptoms of a Colestid overdose include

* Abdominal pain
* Constipation
* Flatulence