Colestipol - a lipid-lowering medicine

About colestipol

Colestipol is available as sachets of granules which work in the body as a bile acid sequestrant. This means that it binds to bile acids in your digestive system. It prevents the bile acids from being recycled (reabsorbed) into your body. This action can be useful for people who have higher than normal levels of lipids in their blood.

Lipid is another word for fat. Cholesterol is a type of lipid. Lipids are easily stored in your body and serve as a source of energy. They are made naturally in your body from the food you eat. When the concentration of lipids in your blood is too high, it is called hyperlipidaemia. By taking colestipol, it prevents your bile acids from being reabsorbed and, as a consequence, your liver has to make more bile acids. It does this by using certain lipids from your blood. This lowers the amount of lipids in your blood and reduces your risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking colestipol it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about colestipol and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take the sachets exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to be prescribed one sachet to take once or twice each day to begin with. Depending upon your symptoms, your doctor may slowly increase the number of sachets until you are taking up to six sachets daily.

• The granules from each sachet should be added to at least 100 ml of water. If you prefer, you can also mix colestipol with skimmed milk, soup, fruit juice, yoghurt or fruit smoothies. The granules do not dissolve well and can have a 'bitty' texture. You will notice this less if you mix the granules with soft foods rather than thin liquids, or alternatively if you prepare your dose a little in advance and allow it to stand for a while. Do not take the granules dry or without mixing them into about 100 ml of drink/food first. Colestipol sachets are also available pre-flavoured with orange and vanilla and with an artificial sweetener in a brand called Colestid® Orange.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of sachets each day, but do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
  

• Cerca di mantenere i tuoi appuntamenti regolari con il tuo medico. Questo è per permettere al tuo medico di controllare i tuoi progressi. Potresti aver bisogno di fare esami del sangue di tanto in tanto.

• Avoid taking any other medicines at the same time as you take colestipol because it can stop the other medicines from being absorbed by your body. Either take your other medicines at least one hour before you take colestipol, or wait until 4-6 hours after taking colestipol before you take the other medicines. If you have any problems planning when to take your medicines, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

• Treatment with colestipol is often long-term. Continue to take it unless you are advised otherwise.

• Taking colestipol over a period of time may reduce your body's absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) and folic acid. Your doctor may advise you to take a supplement containing these vitamins.

• Il tuo medico potrebbe darti consigli su cambiamenti dello stile di vita che potrebbero aiutarti a ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento. Questo potrebbe includere la riduzione della quantità di sale nella tua dieta, smettere di fumare, perdere peso, ridurre la quantità di alcol che bevi e fare esercizio fisico regolarmente. Seguire questi consigli ti aiuterà a ridurre il rischio di sviluppare malattie cardiache e dei vasi sanguigni in futuro.

• Se devi sottoporti a un'operazione o a un trattamento dentistico, informa la persona che esegue il trattamento sui medicinali che stai assumendo.

• Se acquisti farmaci 'da banco', verifica con un farmacista che siano adatti a te.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with colestipol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to your medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.