Colestid

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Prescription Drug Information, Side Effects & Interactions for Colestid

Uses
This medication is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. High levels of cholesterol may block the blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease. For best results, this medication must be used along with an exercise program and a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet.

Notes

Your doctor may periodically perform lab tests during treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication.
Know what your cholesterol level is and understand what it means.
Your doctor, pharmacist or nutritionist can provide you with valuable information.
Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight.
Do not store in the bathroom.

Colestid

How To Use

Swallow each tablet, one at a time, with a mouthful (1 ounce, 30 mls) of water or other liquid.
This medication may be taken with food.
This medication can interfere with other medications if taken at the same time.
Try to take other medications one hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking this drug.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to help establish a dosing schedule if you are taking more than one medication.
It may take a few weeks to months before the full effects of this medication are noticed.

Side Effects

Constipation, stomach upset, heartburn, belching, gas, nausea, loss of appetite, aggravated hemorrhoids, change of taste, headache, or itching may occur as your body adjusts to the medication.
If these effects persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor.
Notify your doctor if you experience unusual bleeding or bruising, severe stomach ache or vomiting while taking this medication.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Tell your doctor if you are constipated, have hemorrhoids, hypothyroidism, diabetes, if you have stomach, intestinal, gall bladder, kidney, or liver disease, or unusual bleeding or bruising.
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Before you take this medication, tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you are taking especially digitoxin, digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ("water pills"), penicillin G, phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, propranolol (Inderal), tetracycline, thyroid, warfarin (Coumadin) and other anticoagulants ("blood thinners") and vitamins A, D, E.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.