Also indexed as: Colestid
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or
interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or
function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. |
Beta-carotene
Calcium*
Carotenoids*
Folic acid
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Zinc*
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Supportive interaction |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Adverse interaction |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Vitamins
Bile acid sequestrants, including colestipol, may prevent absorption of folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D,
E, K.1 2 People taking colestipol
should consult with their doctor about vitamin malabsorption and supplementation. People
should take other drugs and vitamin supplements one hour before or four to six hours after
colestipol to improve absorption.3
Animal studies suggest calcium and zinc may be depleted by taking cholestyramine, another
bile acid sequestrant. 4 Whether these same interactions would occur with
colestipol is not known.
Carotenoids
Use of colestipol for six months has been shown to significantly lower blood levels of
carotenoids including
beta-carotene.5
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Water
Bile acid sequestrants should be taken with plenty of water before meals.6
References:1. Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA:
Third Line Press, 1997, 224 [review].
2. Threlkeld DS, ed. Cardiovascular Drugs, Antihyperlipidemic Agents,
Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO:
Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1999, 171L.
3. Threlkeld DS(ed). Cardiovascular Drugs, Antihyperlipidemic Agents,
Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO:
Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1999, 171L.
4. Watkins DW, Cassidy MM, Khalafi R, Vahouny GV. Calcium and zinc
balances in rats chronically fed the bile salt-sequestrant cholestyramine (Questran). Fed
Proc 1983;42:819.
5. Probstfield JL, Lin T, Peters J, Hunninghake DB. Carotenoids and
vitamin A: The effect of hypocholesterolemic agents on serum levels. Metabolism
1985;34:88–91.
6. Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic
Agents, Bile Acid Sequestrants. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis,
MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1997, 171i–l.