Colestid Granules 5g (Colestipol)

Colestid general information

What is Colestid used for?

Colestid granules are used to treat primary hypercholesterolaemia to lower high levels of cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood and reduce risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol. There are usually no symptoms for high cholesterol, which may be due to lifestyle (high-fat diet and lack of exercise) or can be inherited (familial hypercholesterolaemia). Colestid granules are used in the absence of symptoms in conjunction with a low-fat diet, if diet alone is not sufficient to lower cholesterol levels, and can be used as monotherapy or in conjunction with other cholesterol lowering medications.

How does Colestid work?

Colestid granules contain colestipol, which is an anion exchange resin that binds to bile acids in the small intestine. Bile acids are derivatives of cholesterol and are a component of bile, which is produced in the liver and secreted from the liver and gall bladder into the small intestines. Bile also interacts with cholesterol from the diet, which becomes emulsified and soluble due to the detergent-like properties of the bile acids and this makes absorption of cholesterol easier. Large amounts of bile acids are secreted into the small intestine in response to food ingestion, but most of it enters the blood and returns to the liver via the portal vein for re-use and this is known as enterohepatic recirculation. Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body. However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and causing hardened areas called plaque, which increases risk of heart disease. Colestipol in Colestid granules binds to bile acids forming a complex that is excreted in the faeces and removing the bile acids from the enterohepatic circulation. This results in less cholesterol being absorbed and a significant reduction in low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), known as “bad” cholesterol as it distributes cholesterol and deposits it in the arteries. Also more of the endogenous cholesterol produced by the liver is used up in bile acid synthesis. Reduced levels of cholesterol can be seen within a month of using Colestid granules.

What does Colestid contain?

Colestid granules 100% contain the active ingredient colestipol hydrochloride, an anion exchange resin that binds to bile acids and is used to lower blood cholesterol levels. It also contains a hygroscopic gel.

Treating high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) with Colestid

Colestid granules contain colestipol, an anion exchange resin that is used to treat high cholesterol or hypercholesterolaemia, to reduce risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol. Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body. However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and causing hardened areas called plaque, which increases risk of heart disease. Colestipol in Colestid granules works by binding to bile acid, which is a major component of bile produced by the liver and helps make cholesterol from the diet more readily absorbed in the intestines. This action results in reduced levels of cholesterol and of low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), known as “bad” cholesterol as it distributes cholesterol and deposits it in the arteries.

What are the side effects of Colestid?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Colestid granules include: gastrointestinal upset, mainly constipation, which can lead to faecal impaction and blockage and may aggravate haemorrhoids and cause bleeding; also abdominal discomfort, flatulence, dyspepsia (indigestion), nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, peptic ulceration. Other less common side effects include, dyspnoea (shortness of breath), oedema, chest pain, tachycardia, fatigue, headache, dizziness, insomnia, rash.

When should Colestid not be used?

You should not use Colestid granules if you:

• are allergic to colestipol or any ingredients in Colestid
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have an untreated disorder that may contribute to the hypercholesterolaemia such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), diabetes mellitus, nephrotic syndrome (damaged kidneys that leak protein into the urine), dysproteinaemias (abnormal protein content in the blood) and obstructive liver disease (like jaundice)
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Colestid, including, beta blockers like propranolol for high blood pressure or angina, digoxin for heart failure, some antibiotics like tetracycline and penicillin, other cholesterol lowering drugs like gemfibrozil, the diuretics furosemide, chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide
• Colestid granules may also prevent absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K.

What medications interact with Colestid?

Several medications interact with Colestid and should either not be taken while you are taking Colestid or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that are affected by Colestid due to binding of colestipol to the drug which delays or reduces its absorption: beta blockers like propranolol for high blood pressure or angina, digoxin for heart failure, some antibiotics like tetracycline and penicillin, other cholesterol lowering drugs like gemfibrozil, the diuretics furosemide, chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide

How should Colestid be taken?

You should take your Colestid granules mixed with a liquid, either water or fruit juice or with liquid food, such as soup and use at least 100mL of liquid per sachet. You should never attempt to take the granules dry. You should swallow a complete dose of Colestid granules once or twice daily depending on your doctor’s recommendation, and your dose may be increased. If you are taking other drugs, they should be taken one hour before or four hours after taking your Colestid granules. You should continue to take your Colestid granules for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long-term.

How long should you take Colestid?

You should continue to take your Colestid granules for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long-term.

Missed dose of Colestid

If you miss a dose of Colestid granules take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Colestid be stored?

You should store your Colestid granules below 25°C in a cool dry place.