Colestipol Dosing Guidelines

Standard Dosing Regimens

The American College of Cardiology recommends starting colestipol at 2-16 g/day orally given once or in divided doses, with gradual titration recommended to minimize gastrointestinal side effects 1, 2, 3
The maintenance dose range is 2-16 g/day given once or in divided doses, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3
The maximum dose is 30 g/day for granules and 16 g/day for tablets, according to Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 4

A daily dose of 5 g colestipol produces approximately 16.3% LDL-C reduction, as reported by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3
A daily dose of 10 g colestipol produces approximately 22.8% LDL-C reduction, as reported by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3
A daily dose of 15 g colestipol produces approximately 27.2% LDL-C reduction, as reported by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3

The American College of Cardiology recommends taking colestipol with meals for optimal tolerability 1, 2, 3
Other medications must be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after colestipol to avoid impaired absorption, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3, 5
High-risk medications requiring separation from colestipol include cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, olmesartan, phenytoin, sulfonylureas, thyroid replacement therapy, and warfarin, according to the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3

For bile acid diarrhea, the starting dose is 1 g twice daily, with titration increased by 1 g/day every other day based on clinical response, as recommended by Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 4
Colestipol is contraindicated in patients with Crohn's disease with extensive ileal involvement, as it may worsen steatorrhea and cause substantial caloric loss, according to Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 4

Contraindications to colestipol include complete biliary obstruction and history of serious hypersensitivity to colestipol, as reported by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3
Common adverse effects of colestipol include gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, dyspepsia, and nausea, as well as metabolic effects such as increased triglyceride levels, according to the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3, 6, 5
Colestipol may cause vitamin K or fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, and oral vitamins should be administered at least 4 hours before colestipol, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3

Gradual titration of colestipol is essential to minimize gastrointestinal side effects, as recommended by Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 4
Colestipol is considered safe during pregnancy and lactation, as it is not systemically absorbed, according to the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 3