Colestid Granules for Oral Suspension 5.0g
Colestipol hydrochloride
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What Colestid Granules is and what it is used for
- 2. Before you take Colestid Granules
- 3. How to take Colestid Granules
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Colestid Granules
- 6. Further information
What Colestid Granules Is And What It Is Used For
Colestid Granules is a 'lipid lowering agent'. Colestid Granules is one of a group of medicines called bile acid sequestrants. The active ingredient is colestipol hydrochloride.
Colestid Granules is used to help lower the level of cholesterol in your blood. Your doctor will have recommended a special diet to you in order to help you lose weight since this is very important in lowering your cholesterol levels. Your doctor has given you Colestid Granules since the diet on its own is not lowering your cholesterol enough. It is still very important that you follow your special even when taking Colestid Granules. You can find out more about cholesterol from The British Heart Foundation whose address is given at the end of this leaflet.
Before You Take Colestid Granules
Do not take Colestid Granules:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to colestipol hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of Colestid Granules (see section 6 for a list of ingredients).
Take special care with Colestid Granules
Tell your doctor if you have any of these problems:
- an under-active thyroid gland
- nephrotic syndrome (a kidney problem where you get protein in your urine and too much fluid collecting in your body)
- too much or too little protein in your blood
- liver problems e.g. jaundice
- diabetes
Taking other medicines
There are some medicines that may interact with Colestid Granules and it can affect the way they work. Tell your doctor about other medicines you are taking before you start your Colestid Granules.
It is especially important to tell your doctor if you are taking the following medicines:
- heart drugs e.g. digoxin, digitoxin
- beta-blockers e.g. propranolol - for high blood pressure, angina, migraine or anxiety symptoms
- water tablets ('diuretics') e.g. chlorothiazide or furosemide - usually for heart or kidney problems
- antibiotics e.g. tetracycline hydrochloride and penicillin G
- another cholesterol-lowering medicine called gemfibrozil
Your doctor may need to change your dose of these medicines. If you are taking propranolol, your doctor will need to check your dose when you start taking Colestid Granules and also when you stop.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or recently have taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Preganancy and breast-feeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding. Your doctor may stop your treatment.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Your ability to drive or operate machinery is not affected by taking Colestid Granules.
How To Take Colestid Granules
Always take your medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Colestid Granules must not be taken as a dry powder and must be mixed with a drink or taken with liquid food. The Colestid Granules should be mixed thoroughly with at least 100 ml of water or another still drink such as orange or skimmed milk. Alternatively, Colestid Granules can be taken with soup or cereal or with pulpy fruit such as grapefruit, provided that there is at least 100 ml or more of liquid.
Your doctor will advise you on the amount of Colestid Granules you should take, and when.
Most people start by taking one to two sachets of Colestid Granules per day. Your doctor may increase your dose each month until your cholesterol reaches the best level for you. Do not change the number of sachets you take unless your doctor tells you to. Do not take more than 6 sachets (30 grams) a day. If you are prescribed more than two sachets per day, it may be preferable to take Colestid Granules as two separate doses, leaving several hours between e.g. with breakfast and an evening meal.
Taking Colestid with other medicines
If you have other medicines to take, make sure you take them at least one hour before or four hours after your Colestid Granules, except if you are taking gemfibrozil, take this at least two hours before or after your Colestid Granules.
You may have to take Colestid Granules every day for a long time. It is important that you stick to your recommended diet as well as taking your Colestid Granules.
Colestid Granules does not actually dissolve and it therefore has a "gritty" texture, especially if it is not well mixed with the liquid you are using. The "grittiness" of Colestid Granules is much more obvious in "dilute" drinks such as water or fruit juice. In thicker mixtures such as muesli with milk, you may not notice Colestid Granules at all. Some people mix up Colestid Granules the night before to improve results.
Use by Children
Colestid Granules will not normally be given to children. Ask your doctor for more information if they have prescribed Colestid Granules for a child in your care. If children or young adults are given this medicine, your doctor will need to check their growth and development regularly.
If you take more Colestid Granules than you should
Never take more Colestid Granules than your doctor has told you. If you do, tell your doctor because you may get constipation.
If you forget to take Colestid Granules
Don't worry. Take your next sachet (or sachets) at the usual time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Colestid Granules Side Effects
Like all medicines, Colestid Granules can cause side-effects, although not everyone gets them.
Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects and they do not go away:
- constipation, which is usually mild and does not last for long. Eating more fibre and drinking plenty of fluid usually helps. Sometimes it can be more severe and cause a blockage n your colon. If this happens you might need some treatment like an enema, to relieve the blockage. Tell your doctor if you think you have this problem. Constipation can make piles (haemorrhoids) worse and you may notice blood in your stools. Tell your doctor immediately if this happens.
- stomach discomfort
- belching,
- wind,
- nausea, feeling sick
- sickness or diarrhoea.
Other side effects
Rarely, people have noticed the following side-effects, Tell your doctor immediately if any of these happen.
- stomach ulcers and bleeding stomach ulcers. These will cause severe stomach pains and if these start to bleed you may pass very dark stools or bring up blood if you are sick..
- inflammation of the gall bladder, gallstones or yellowish skin.
- chest pain, angina-like feelings or you may feel your heart beat speeding up.
- allergy effects like a rash, itchy skin or hives..
- aches and pains in your joints and muscles, especially your fingers and toes. You may also feel backache.
- headaches, some of which may feel quite severe (migraine, sinus headache) or feel dizzy and light-headed. You may also have difficulty sleeping,.
- not feel like eating, feeling tired and weak, have a shortness of breath, or swelling of your hands and feet.
Colestid Granules affects the way that your body absorbs fats and some 'fat-soluble' vitamins (A, D,E and K). Your doctor may give you a vitamin supplement if they think this could be happening..
The levels of some fats and enzymes in your blood may rise. This is usually temporary.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor.
How To Store Colestid Granules
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Colestid Granules after the expiry date which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
Do not store above 25°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further Information
What Colestid Granules contains
- The active substance is colestipol hydrochloride 5g.
- The other ingredients are Colloidal Anhydrous Silica.
What Colestid Granules looks like and the contents of the pack
- Colestid Granules are light yellow granules for oral suspension.
- Colestid Granules comes in boxes of 30 sachets. Each 7.5 g sachet contains 5 g of the active substance, colestipol hydrochloride.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Manufacturer
More information about cholesterol
If you would like any more information about changing your lifestyle to lower your cholesterol you can contact:
This leaflet was last approved in 05/2008
Colestid is a registered trademark – Pharmacia Limited.
Ref CL 5_0
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