Colestipol Hydrochloride 5 g/5g Granule, For Suspension
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Bile Acid Sequestrant class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
- Colestipol is designed to bring down your LDL — that's the 'bad' cholesterol. It does this by working in your gut, trapping compounds called bile acids and carrying them out of you...
- What exactly is colestipol supposed to do for me?
- No — never take the granules or powder dry. Always stir them into a full glass of water or another beverage before you drink it. Swallowing dry powder can cause it to go down the w...
- How do I take the granules or powder? Do I just swallow them?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Colestipol may be associated with lower levels of 8 nutrients — worth a chat with your pharmacist, not a cause for alarm.
Where does this data come from?
Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII ETJ7Z6XBU4
Silicon dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral used as a glidant and anti-caking agent. It helps powder ingredients flow smoothly and prevents clumping during manufacturing and storage.
1 inactive ingredient listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Can inactive ingredients matter?
💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per ea | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $2.762 | $248.57 / 90 packets |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data. | |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $2.59 | $233.06 / 90 packets |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colestipol Hydrochloride 5 g 00115-5212-18 | Amneal | 30 suspensions | $2.718 | — | FDA listed | save 2% |
| Colestipol Hydrochloride 5 g/5gthis 59762-0260-02 | Mylan | 90 packets | $2.762 | — | FDA listed | — |
| Colestid 5 g/5g 00009-0260-01 | Pharmacia | 30 packets | — | — | Discontinued | — |
| Colestipol Hydrochloride 5 g 00115-5213-02 | Amneal | 100 suspensions | — | — | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
The FDA lists approved generic versions of this medicine, but that does not always mean a pharmacy can get one today. Patent rules, launch agreements, supply and pricing can affect when generics actually arrive.
Where does this data come from?
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59762-0260-01 | 30 PACKET in 1 CARTON (59762-0260-1) / 5 g in 1 PACKET | $2.76 / ea | $82.86 | 1977-04-04 | Active |
| 59762-0260-02 You're viewing this | 90 PACKET in 1 CARTON (59762-0260-2) / 5 g in 1 PACKET | $2.76 / ea | $248.57 | 1977-04-04 | Active |
| 59762-0260-03 | 500 g in 1 BOTTLE (59762-0260-3) | $0.2687 / g | $134.33 | 1977-04-04 | Active |
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 59762-0260-02?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of Colestipol Hydrochloride 5 g/5g Granule, For Suspension?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Since no drug is innocuous, strict attention should be paid to the indications and contraindications, particularly when selecting drugs for chronic long-term use. Colestipol hydrochloride granules are indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated low density lipoproteins [LDL] cholesterol) who do not respond adequately to diet. Generally, colestipol hydrochloride granules have no clinically significant effect on serum triglycerides, but with its use triglyceride levels may be raised in some patients.
Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be a component of multiple risk factor intervention in those individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Treatment should begin and continue with dietary therapy (see NCEP guidelines). A minimum of six months of intensive dietary therapy and counseling should be carried out prior to initiation of drug therapy.
Shorter periods may be considered in patients with severe elevations of LDL-C or with definite CHD. According to the NCEP guidelines, the goal of treatment is to lower LDL-C, and LDL-C is to be used to initiate and assess treatment response. Only if LDL-C levels are not available, should the Total-C be used to monitor therapy.
The NCEP treatment guidelines are shown below. LDL-Cholesterol mg/dL (mmol/L) Definite Atherosclerotic Disease Coronary heart disease or peripheral vascular disease (including symptomatic carotid artery disease). Two or More Other Risk Factors Other risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) include: age (males: ≥45 years; females: ≥55 years or premature menopause without estrogen replacement therapy); family history of premature CHD; current cigarette smoking; hypertension; confirmed HDL-C <35 mg/dL (0.91 mmol/L); and diabetes mellitus.
Subtract one risk factor if HDL-C is ≥60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L). Initiation Level Goal No No ≥190 (≥4.9) <160 (<4.1) No Yes ≥160 (≥4.1) <130 (<3.4) Yes Yes or No ≥130 (≥3.4) ≤100 (≤2.6)
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION One dose (1 packet or 1 level teaspoon) of colestipol hydrochloride granules contains 5 grams of colestipol hydrochloride. The recommended daily adult dose is one to six packets or level scoopfuls given once or in divided doses. Treatment should be started with one dose once or twice daily with an increment of one dose/day at one- or two-month intervals.
Appropriate use of lipid profiles as per NCEP guidelines including LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides is advised so that optimal, but not excessive doses are used to obtain the desired therapeutic effect on LDL-cholesterol level. If the desired therapeutic effect is not obtained at one to six doses/day with good compliance and acceptable side effects, combined therapy or alternate treatment should be considered. To avoid accidental inhalation or esophageal distress, colestipol hydrochloride granules should not be taken in its dry form.
Colestipol hydrochloride granules should always be mixed with water or other fluids before ingesting. Patients should take other drugs at least one hour before or four hours after colestipol hydrochloride granules to minimize possible interference with their absorption. (See PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions .) Before Colestipol Hydrochloride Granules Administration 1.
Define the type of hyperlipoproteinemia, as described in NCEP guidelines. 2. Institute a trial of diet and weight reduction.
3. Establish baseline serum total and LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels. During Colestipol Hydrochloride Granules Administration 1.
The patient should be carefully monitored clinically, including serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Periodic determinations of serum cholesterol levels as outlined in the NCEP guidelines should be done to confirm a favorable initial and longer-term response. 2.
Failure of total or LDL-cholesterol to fall within the desired range should lead one to first examine dietary and drug compliance. If these are deemed acceptable, combined therapy or alternate treatment should be considered. 3.
Significant rise in triglyceride level should be considered as indication for dose reduction, drug discontinuation, or combined or alternate therapy. Mixing and Administration Guide Colestipol hydrochloride granules should always be mixed in a liquid such as water or the beverage of your choice. It may also be taken in soups or with cereals or pulpy fruits.
Colestipol hydrochloride granules should never be taken in its dry form. With Beverages 1. Add the prescribed amount of colestipol hydrochloride granules to a glassful (three ounces or more) of water or the beverage of your choice.
A heavy or pulpy juice may minimize complaints relative to consistency. 2. Stir the mixture until the medication is completely mixed.
(Colestipol hydrochloride granules will not dissolve in the liquid.) Colestipol hydrochloride granules may also be mixed with carbonated beverages, slowly stirred in a large glass; however, this mixture may be associated with GI complaints. Rinse the glass with a small amount of additional beverage to make sure all the medication is taken. With cereals, soups, and fruits Colestipol hydrochloride granules may be taken mixed with milk in hot or regular breakfast cereals, or even mixed in soups that have a high fluid content.
It may also be added to fruits that are pulpy such as crushed pineapple, pears, peaches, or fruit cocktail.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Colestipol hydrochloride granules are contraindicated in those individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL INHALATION OR ESOPHAGEAL DISTRESS, COLESTIPOL HYDROCHLORIDE GRANULES SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN IN ITS DRY FORM. ALWAYS MIX COLESTIPOL HYDROCHLORIDE GRANULES WITH WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS BEFORE INGESTING.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS Gastrointestinal The most common adverse reactions are confined to the gastrointestinal tract. To achieve minimal GI disturbance with an optimal LDL-cholesterol lowering effect, a gradual increase of dosage starting with one dose/day is recommended. Constipation is the major single complaint and at times is severe.
Most instances of constipation are mild, transient, and controlled with standard treatment. Increased fluid intake and inclusion of additional dietary fiber should be the first step; a stool softener may be added if needed. Some patients require decreased dosage or discontinuation of therapy.
Hemorrhoids may be aggravated. Other, less frequent gastrointestinal complaints consist of abdominal discomfort (abdominal pain and cramping), intestinal gas, (bloating and flatulence), indigestion and heartburn, diarrhea and loose stools, and nausea and vomiting. Bleeding hemorrhoids and blood in the stool have been infrequently reported.
Peptic ulceration, cholecystitis, and cholelithiasis have been rarely reported in patients receiving colestipol hydrochloride granules, and are not necessarily drug related. Transient and modest elevations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase were observed on one or more occasions in various patients treated with colestipol hydrochloride. The following non-gastrointestinal adverse reactions have been reported with generally equal frequency in patients receiving colestipol hydrochloride granules or placebo in clinical studies: Cardiovascular Chest pain, angina, and tachycardia have been infrequently reported.
Hypersensitivity Rash has been infrequently reported. Urticaria and dermatitis have been rarely noted in patients receiving colestipol hydrochloride granules. Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal pain, aches and pains in the extremities, joint pains, arthritis, and backache have been reported.
Neurologic Headache, migraine headache and sinus headache have been reported. Other infrequently reported complaints include dizziness, light-headedness, and insomnia. Miscellaneous Anorexia, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and swelling of the hands or feet, have been infrequently reported.
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
Drug Interactions Since colestipol hydrochloride is an anion exchange resin, it may have a strong affinity for anions other than the bile acids. In vitro studies have indicated that colestipol hydrochloride binds a number of drugs. Therefore, colestipol hydrochloride granules resin may delay or reduce the absorption of concomitant oral medication.
The interval between the administration of colestipol hydrochloride granules and any other medication should be as long as possible. Patients should take other drugs at least one hour before or four hours after colestipol hydrochloride granules to avoid impeding their absorption. Repeated doses of colestipol hydrochloride given prior to a single dose of propranolol in human trials have been reported to decrease propranolol absorption.
However, in a follow-up study in normal subjects, single dose administration of colestipol hydrochloride and propranolol and twice-a-day administration for 5 days of both agents did not effect the extent of propranolol absorption, but had a small yet statistically significant effect on its rate of absorption; the time to reach maximum concentration was delayed 30 minutes. Effects on the absorption of other beta-blockers have not been determined. Therefore, patients on propranolol should be observed when colestipol hydrochloride granules is either added or deleted from a therapeutic regimen.
Studies in humans show that the absorption of chlorothiazide as reflected in urinary excretion is markedly decreased even when administered one hour before colestipol hydrochloride. The absorption of tetracycline, furosemide, penicillin G, hydrochlorothiazide, and gemfibrozil was significantly decreased when given simultaneously with colestipol hydrochloride; these drugs were not tested to determine the effect of administration one hour before colestipol hydrochloride. No depressant effect on blood levels in humans was noted when colestipol hydrochloride was administered with any of the following drugs: aspirin, clindamycin, clofibrate, methyldopa, nicotinic acid (niacin), tolbutamide, phenytoin or warfarin.
Particular caution should be observed with digitalis preparations since there are conflicting results for the effect of colestipol hydrochloride on the availability of digoxin and digitoxin. The potential for binding of these drugs if given concomitantly is present. Discontinuing colestipol hydrochloride could pose a hazard to health if a potentially toxic drug that is significantly bound to the resin has been titrated to a maintenance level while the patient was taking colestipol hydrochloride.
Bile acid binding resins may also interfere with the absorption of oral phosphate supplements and hydrocortisone. A study has shown that cholestyramine binds bile acids and reduces mycophenolic acid exposure. As colestipol also binds bile acids, colestipol may reduce mycophenolic acid exposure and potentially reduce efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Use in Pregnancy Since colestipol hydrochloride is essentially not absorbed systemically (less than 0.17% of the dose), it is not expected to cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy in recommended dosages. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women, and the known interference with absorption of fat soluble vitamins may be detrimental even in the presence of supplementation. The use of colestipol hydrochloride granules in pregnancy or by women of childbearing potential requires that the potential benefits of drug therapy be weighed against possible hazards to the mother or child.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in the pediatric population have not been established.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE Overdosage of colestipol hydrochloride granules has not been reported. Should overdosage occur, however, the chief potential harm would be obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. The location of such potential obstruction, the degree of obstruction and the presence or absence of normal gut motility would determine treatment.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Cholesterol is the major, and probably the sole precursor of bile acids. During normal digestion, bile acids are secreted via the bile from the liver and gall bladder into the intestines. Bile acids emulsify the fat and lipid materials present in food, thus facilitating absorption.
A major portion of the bile acids secreted is reabsorbed from the intestines and returned via the portal circulation to the liver, thus completing the enterohepatic cycle. Only very small amounts of bile acids are found in normal serum. Colestipol hydrochloride binds bile acids in the intestine forming a complex that is excreted in the feces.
This nonsystemic action results in a partial removal of the bile acids from the enterohepatic circulation, preventing their reabsorption. Since colestipol hydrochloride is an anion exchange resin, the chloride anions of the resin can be replaced by other anions, usually those with a greater affinity for the resin than chloride ion. Colestipol hydrochloride is hydrophilic, but it is virtually water insoluble (99.75%) and it is not hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes.
The high molecular weight polymer in colestipol hydrochloride apparently is not absorbed. In humans, less than 0.17% of a single 14 C-labeled colestipol hydrochloride dose is excreted in the urine when given following 60 days of chronic dosing of 20 grams of colestipol hydrochloride per day. The increased fecal loss of bile acids due to colestipol hydrochloride administration leads to an increased oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids.
This results in an increase in the number of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors, increased hepatic uptake of LDL and a decrease in beta lipoprotein or low density lipoprotein serum levels, and a decrease in serum cholesterol levels. Although colestipol hydrochloride produces an increase in the hepatic synthesis of cholesterol in man, serum cholesterol levels fall. There is evidence to show that this fall in cholesterol is secondary to an increased rate of clearance of cholesterol-rich lipoproteins (beta or low density lipoproteins) from the plasma.
Serum triglyceride levels may increase or remain unchanged in colestipol hydrochloride treated patients. The decline in serum cholesterol levels with colestipol hydrochloride treatment is usually evident by one month. When colestipol hydrochloride is discontinued, serum cholesterol levels usually return to baseline levels within one month.
Periodic determinations of serum cholesterol levels as outlined in the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines should be done to confirm a favorable initial and long-term response 1 . In a large, placebo-controlled, multiclinic study, the LRC-CPPT, 2 hypercholesterolemic subjects treated with cholestyramine, a bile-acid sequestrant with a mechanism of action and an effect on serum cholesterol similar to that of colestipol hydrochloride, had reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
Over the seven-year study period the cholestyramine group experienced a 19% reduction (relative to the incidence in the placebo group) in the combined rate of coronary heart disease death plus non-fatal myocardial infarction (cumulative incidences of 7% cholestyramine and 8.6%, placebo). The subjects included in the study were middle-aged men (age 35–59) with serum cholesterol-levels above 265 mg/dL, LDL-C above 175 mg/dL on a moderate cholesterol-lowering diet, and no history of heart disease. It is not clear to what extent these findings can be extrapolated to other segments of the hypercholesterolemic population not studied.
Treatment with colestipol hydrochloride results in a significant increase in lipoprotein LpAI. Lipoprotein LpAI is one of the two major lipoprotein particles within the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) density range 3 , and has been shown in cell culture to promote cholesterol efflux or removal from cells 4 . Although the significance of this finding has not been establish…
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Colestipol hydrochloride granules are available as follows: Cartons of 30 foil packets — NDC 59762-0260-1 Cartons of 90 foil packets — NDC 59762-0260-2 Bottles of 500 grams with scoop — NDC 59762-0260-3 Each packet or level scoop supplies 5 grams of colestipol hydrochloride granules. Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F) [see USP].
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Colestipol hydrochloride granules for oral suspension contain colestipol hydrochloride, which is a lipid lowering agent for oral use. Colestipol hydrochloride is an insoluble, high molecular weight basic anion-exchange copolymer of diethylenetriamine and 1-chloro-2, 3-epoxypropane, with approximately 1 out of 5 amine nitrogens protonated (chloride form). It is a light yellow water-insoluble resin which is hygroscopic and swells when suspended in water or aqueous fluids.
Colestipol hydrochloride granules are tasteless and odorless. Inactive ingredient: silicon dioxide. One dose (1 packet or 1 level teaspoon) of colestipol hydrochloride granules contains 5 grams of colestipol hydrochloride.