colesevelam vs glipizide
Side-by-side comparison of colesevelam and glipizide. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
In studies assessing the effect of colesevelam on the pharmacokinetics of glipizide ER in healthy volunteers, reductions in glipizide AUC 0-∞ and C max of 12% and 13%, respectively were observed when colesevelam was co-administered with glipizide ER. When glipizide ER was administered 4 hours prior to colesevelam, there was no significant change in glipizide AUC 0-∞ or C max , -4% and 0%, respectively. Therefore, glipizide should be administered at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam to ensure that colesevelam does not reduce the absorption of glipizide.
Recommendation: Take your glipizide at least 4 hours before you take colesevelam. This gap ensures that the diabetes medicine is fully absorbed before the other drug interferes with it.
Welchol
Glucotrol
Colesevelam is a medicine that helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL-C) and control blood sugar in adults. It can also lower LDL-C in children ages 10-17 with certain cholesterol problems.
Glipizide is a medicine that helps lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works along with diet and exercise.
This medicine can help lower high LDL cholesterol in adults and children (10-17 years old) who have primary hyperlipidemia or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. These conditions mean you have high levels of bad cholesterol in your blood. Colesevelam can also help improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Glipizide is used to improve blood sugar control in adults who have type 2 diabetes. It is meant to be used in addition to diet and exercise. This medicine helps your body use insulin better and lowers blood sugar levels.
Colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant. It works by binding to bile acids in your gut. This helps your body get rid of cholesterol and can also lower blood sugar levels.
Glipizide belongs to a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It works by helping your pancreas release more insulin. Insulin then helps your body use sugar from the food you eat.
- • Constipation
- • Upset stomach
- • Nausea
- • Accidental injury
- • Weakness
- • Nausea
- • Diarrhea
- • Skin rash
- • Dizziness
- • Drowsiness
- Diarrhea 121
- Shortness of breath 72
- Cough 64
- Muscle cramps 61
- Tiredness 59
- High blood sugar 6,673
- Feeling sick to your stomach 4,442
- Loose, watery stools 3,266
- Feeling tired 2,999
- Weight loss 2,811
Colesevelam can raise your triglyceride levels, which could cause pancreatitis. Tell your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain. This medicine may also cause bowel obstruction, especially if you have stomach problems or have had major surgery on your stomach or intestines. Colesevelam can also lower the amount of fat-soluble vitamins your body absorbs.
Glipizide can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Watch for symptoms like shakiness, sweating, confusion, and rapid heartbeat. If you have very low blood sugar, get medical help right away. Certain drugs can increase the risk of low blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take.
This medicine is not absorbed into your body, so it is not expected to harm your baby during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine is also not expected to pass into breast milk.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if glipizide will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to control your blood sugar during pregnancy. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication.
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How to Read This colesevelam vs glipizide Comparison
colesevelam is classified in the Bile Acid Sequestrant (Diabetes) drug class, while glipizide sits within the Sulfonylurea class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, colesevelam has 377 submissions while glipizide has 20,191. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to colesevelam can bind to glipizide in your digestive system, which stops the medicine from being absorbed into your body. this makes the glipizide less effective at controlling your blood sugar.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between colesevelam and glipizide - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.