Colestid Orange 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 Orange is and what it is used for
- 2. Before you take Colestid Orange
- 3. How to take Colestid Orange
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Colestid Orange
- 6. Further information
What Colestid Orange Is And What It Is Used For
Colestid Orange is a 'lipid lowering agent'. Colestid Orange is one of a group of medicines called bile acid sequestrants. The active ingredient is colestipol hydrochloride.
Colestid Orange 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 Orange since the diet on its own is not lowering your cholesterol enough. It is still very important that you follow your special diet even when taking Colestid Orange. 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 Orange
Do not take Colestid Orange:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to colestipol hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of Colestid Orange (see section 6 for a list of ingredients).
Take special care with Colestid Orange
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
- phenylketonuria eg you are on a special diet that is low in phenylalanine
Taking other medicines
There are some medicines that may interact with Colestid Orange and it can affect the way they work. Tell your doctor about other medicines you are taking before you start your Colestid Orange.
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 Orange 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.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or are 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 Orange
Important information about some of the ingredients of Colestid Orange
Colestid Orange contains 32.5 mg aspartame which contains (18.2 mg phenylalanine) per sachet. This needs to be taken into consideration in people suffering from a condition known as phenylketonuria, since excessive amounts of aspartame may interfere with the control of this condition. If you suffer from phenylketonuria you should discuss this with your doctor before taking Colestid Orange.
How To Take Colestid Orange
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 Orange must not be taken as a dry powder and must be mixed with a drink or taken with liquid food. The Colestid Orange powder should be mixed thoroughly with at least 100 ml of water or another still drink such as orange or skimmed milk. Alternatively, Colestid Orange 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.
Colestid Orange has an orange/vanilla smell. It is flavoured with orange and vanilla and contains artificial sweeteners.
Your doctor will advise you on the amount of Colestid Orange you should take, and when.
Most people start by taking one to two sachets of Colestid Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange except if you are taking gemfibrozil, take this at least two hours before or after your Colestid Orange.
You may have to take Colestid Orange every day for a long time. It is important that you stick to your recommended diet as well as taking your Colestid Orange.
Colestid Orange 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 Orange is much more obvious in "dilute" drinks such as water or fruit juice. Some people mix up Colestid Orange the night before to improve results.
Use by Children
Colestid Orange will not normally be given to children. Ask your doctor for more information if they have prescribed Colestid Orange 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 Orange than you should
Never take more Colestid Orange than your doctor has told you. If you do, tell your doctor because you may get constipation.
If you forget to take Colestid Orange
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 Orange Side Effects
Like all medicines, Colestid Orange 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 in 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, some 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 Orange 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 Orange
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Colestid Orange 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 Orange contains
- The active substance is colestipol hydrochloride
- The other ingredients are
- Mannitol E421
- Methylcellulose (15CPS) E461
- Citric Acid E330
- Orange Durarome Wonf
- Aspartame Powder E951
- Maltol
- Ethyl Vanillin
- Beta Carotene 1% E160a
- Glycerol E422
- Purified Water
What Colestid Orange looks like and the contents of the pack
- Colestid Orange is yellow granules for oral suspension with orange particles.
- Colestid Orange 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 4_0
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