Colestipol Side Effects

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Colestipol Review Questions and Answers

 

Trade Name: Colestipol

Generic Names: Colestid

What is the indication for Colestipol?

Colestipol is indicated for treatment hypercholesterolemia

What is the mechanism of Colestipol?

Colestipol is an ion exchange resin that binds to bile acids removing bile acids from the enterohepatic circulation, leading to increased oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids. therefore decreasing the cholesterol levels

Is Colestipol safe in pregnancy?

Colestipol has been given a pregnancy category B. . This means that this drug is presumed safe in pregnancy, based on animal studies

Is Colestipol found in breast milk?

Colestipol is not found in breast milk, but it may interfere with proper vitamin absorption and alter the breast milk

How is Colestipol metabolized?

Colestipol is minimally absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract

Adverse events in people treated with Colestipol

Gastrointestinal: Constipation, aggravation of hemorrhoids, abdominal discomfort, intestinal gas, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, cholelithiasis, transient increases in liver tests
General: Hypersensitivity, fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased appetite
Musculoskeletal Arthritis, muscle ache
Cardiac: Chest pain, tachycardia
Dermatologic: Rash
Neurologic: Headache, dizziness, insomnia, migraine
   

 

Pharmacology

Question:
What is the mechanism of colestipol?
Answer:
Colestipol binds to bile acids in the intestine leading to increased excretion of bile acid in the feces leading to increased oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids resulting in increased numbers of low density lipoprotein receptors with increased hepatic uptake of LDL and lower serum cholesterol levels
Question:
What is the most common side effect of colestipol?
Answer:
The most common side effect of colestipol is constipation
Question:
How could colestipol result in increased bleeding tendencies?
Answer:
Colestipol can lead to vitamin K deficiency