Updated: March 26, 2026
What Is Colestipol? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026
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Peter Daggett
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Overview
Colestipol (Colestid) is a bile acid sequestrant used to lower LDL cholesterol. Here's everything you need to know about what it is, how it's taken, and what to expect.
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Based on 34 real pharmacy checks · 1 patients helped
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Colestipol is a prescription cholesterol-lowering medication that has been in use since the 1960s. While it may not be as well-known as statins like atorvastatin or rosuvastatin, it plays an important role for patients who can't tolerate statins or need additional LDL reduction. Here's everything patients need to know about Colestipol in 2026.
What Is Colestipol?
Colestipol is a bile acid sequestrant — a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs that work in the digestive tract rather than the bloodstream. Unlike most medications, Colestipol is not absorbed into your body. It stays in your intestines, where it captures bile acids and carries them out of your body in stool. This forces your liver to make more bile acids from cholesterol in your blood, which lowers your LDL ("bad") cholesterol level.
Brand name: Colestid (no longer marketed in U.S.; generic versions from Amneal and Greenstone/Viatris are available). Also known historically as Cholestabyl in some markets.
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What Is Colestipol Used For?
FDA-approved indication:
Primary hypercholesterolemia (high LDL cholesterol) — as an adjunct to diet and exercise in patients who don't adequately respond to dietary changes alone
Common off-label uses:
Cholestatic pruritus (itching due to liver disease and bile acid buildup)
Bile acid diarrhea (diarrhea caused by excess bile acids reaching the colon)
Digoxin or digitoxin overdose (to bind the drug in the GI tract and limit absorption or re-absorption)
What Does Colestipol Look Like?
Colestipol comes in two forms:
Tablets (Colestid brand): Light yellow, tasteless, odorless. Each tablet contains 1 gram of colestipol hydrochloride. They are notably large — take them one at a time with plenty of water. Never crush, cut, or chew.
Granules for oral suspension: Available unflavored (tasteless) or orange-flavored (Flavored Colestid). Must be mixed with at least 3 ounces of liquid before drinking. Never take dry — it can irritate the throat or cause blockage.
How Is Colestipol Dosed?
For adults with high cholesterol:
Tablets: Starting dose 2g once or twice daily; increase by 2g every 1–2 months; maximum dose 16g/day
Granules: Starting dose 5g once or twice daily; increase by 5g every 1–2 months; maximum dose 30g/day
Starting at the lowest dose and increasing gradually minimizes GI side effects. Cholesterol reduction begins within 24–48 hours and reaches maximum effect at about 1 month.
How to Take Colestipol Correctly
Timing with other drugs: Take all other oral medications at least 1 hour BEFORE or 4 hours AFTER Colestipol — it can bind other drugs in your GI tract and reduce their absorption
Tablets: Swallow each tablet whole with plenty of water or another liquid. Never crush, chew, or cut.
Granules: Mix with at least 90mL (3 oz) of water, juice, milk, or soft drink. Can also be mixed with cereals, thin soups, or pulpy fruit. Never take the powder dry.
Vitamins: Take fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after Colestipol to avoid reduced absorption
Who Should Not Take Colestipol?
Colestipol is contraindicated in patients with:
Complete biliary obstruction — Colestipol requires bile acids in the gut to work; with complete obstruction, there is no bile to bind
Phenylketonuria (PKU) — the flavored granule form contains aspartame, which is metabolized to phenylalanine; use unflavored tablets instead
Known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in Colestipol
Concomitant use of mycophenolate — a major drug interaction (Colestipol reduces mycophenolic acid exposure to dangerous levels)
50K+Found
99%Rate
6+on average
Is Colestipol a Controlled Substance?
No. Colestipol is not scheduled by the DEA and is not a controlled substance. Any licensed prescriber can prescribe it, and it can be prescribed via telehealth without restrictions.
To understand exactly how Colestipol works at a biological level, see How Does Colestipol Work? Mechanism of Action Explained. For a detailed breakdown of side effects, see Colestipol Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Call Your Doctor.
Real-time availability
Is Colestipol in stock near you?
Verified 3h ago
Based on 34 real pharmacy checks · 1 patients helped
Colestipol is in a shortage right now — Medfinder calls pharmacies near you to track down the ones that have it.
As of July 18, 2026, 2:00 PM ET, Colestipol is currently experiencing a shortage. Across 34 pharmacy checks Medfinder placed in the last 30 days, Colestipol was confirmed in stock 6% of the time.
- Pharmacy checks
- 34
- FDA status
- Not listed
- Updated
- 3h ago
Colestipol is not on the FDA's active shortage list. Medfinder's own pharmacy calls put real-time availability at 6% across 34 checks in the last 30 days. Availability varies by metro, with the most pharmacy activity recorded around Stamford, CT. These numbers are recomputed continuously from live pharmacy calls, so this page reflects current conditions rather than a static estimate.
Colestipol availability questions
Is Colestipol in stock right now?
As of July 18, 2026, 2:00 PM ET, Colestipol was confirmed in stock at 6% of 34 pharmacies Medfinder checked in the last 30 days. Availability changes daily, so we re-check in real time when you search.
How does Medfinder help me find Colestipol?
Medfinder calls pharmacies in your area to verify whether Colestipol and your specific dose are in stock, then sends you the pharmacy name, address, and phone number.
Need Colestipol? We'll find the pharmacy that has it.
Sources: FDA Drug Shortages + Medfinder pharmacy data · Methodology · Full Colestipol data
Frequently Asked Questions
Colestipol is FDA-approved to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol in adults with primary hypercholesterolemia as an adjunct to diet and exercise. It is also used off-label for cholestatic pruritus (itching from liver disease), bile acid diarrhea, and as a binding agent in digoxin/digitoxin overdose.
Yes. Colestid is the brand name for colestipol hydrochloride. The brand is manufactured by Pfizer. Generic versions (colestipol) are available from multiple manufacturers including Amneal and Greenstone/Viatris. Both brand and generic contain the same active ingredient and work identically.
Colestipol begins lowering LDL cholesterol within 24–48 hours of starting treatment. Maximum cholesterol-lowering effect is typically reached within about 1 month. Your doctor will likely check your lipid levels after 1–3 months of treatment to evaluate the response.
Colestipol can be taken with or without food. However, all other medications should be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after Colestipol to prevent Colestipol from binding them in your GI tract. Granules can be mixed with food like cereal, soup, or fruit if preferred.
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