Colestipol HCL (hydrochloride) is a medication used to treat high cholesterol levels (hypercholesteremia). Cholesterol refers to a waxy substance that can build up and obstruct your blood vessels. Colestipol reduces the bad cholesterol, also known as your low density lipoprotein, in your blood. A cholesterol obstruction increases your chances of developing a heart attack or stroke. Typically, you will take 2 to 16g of Colestipol daily.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, colestipol's common side effects include constipation, gas (flatulence), heartburn and diarrhea. Constipation leads to an accumulation of waste in your intestines. Chronic constipation can lead to straining of your bowel movements, rectal irritation and hemorrhoids. Signs of hemorrhoids include pain with a bowel movement and rectal bleeding. Heartburn refers to a medical problem in which the acid in your stomach moves up your esophagus. Chronic heartburn can lead to esophageal ulcers and Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition in which your esophageal cells alter shape. Repetitive bouts of diarrhea result in lowered blood potassium levels and dehydration. Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) can cause muscle weakness or cramping and fatigue. Dehydration can lead to less frequent urination. With decreased urination, your kidneys are unable to filter blood urea nitrogen, a substance produced and released by your liver. Elevated blood urea nitrogen is an indication of kidney problems.
Serious Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine indicates that colestipol may cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat (tachycardia), muscle pain, backache and headache. Chest pain results when your heart doesn't receive enough blood. Drugs.com indicates that colestipol can also cause trouble swallowing (dysphagia), black or bloody stools, a poor appetite and easy bleeding or bruising. Dysphagia can cause you to choke on food and even on your own saliva. Black stools (melena) are a sign of bleeding of the upper part of your digestive tract such as your small intestine. Bright red bleeding is typically a sign of hemorrhoids or bleeding of your lower digestive tract. Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) cause your skin to bleed and bruise easily because your blood doesn't contain enough platelets to clot.
Additional Concerns
Avoid colestipol if you are allergic to it. Manifestations of an allergic response to colestipol include hives, trouble breathing and angioedema (swelling of your face, tongue and lips). Inform you physician if you have constipation, hemorrhoids, trouble swallowing, liver disease or bleeding disorders, because colestipol may worsen these medical manifestations. Drugs.com indicates that colestipol affects your body's absorption of vitamins. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, because your baby needs these vitamins in order to develop properly. Colestipol may contain phenylalanine, a type of amino acid normally found in your body. Tell your physician if you have phenylketonuria, a condition in which your body is unable to break down phenylalanine. Inform your doctor if you take hydrocortisone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, minocycline or gemfibrozil, as colestipol can affect its absorption in your body and subsequently, decrease its effectiveness, says the National Library of Medicine.
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