colesevelam vs glipizide

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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.

Drug Class
colesevelam Bile Acid Sequestrant (Diabetes)
glipizide Sulfonylurea
Type
colesevelam Prescription
glipizide Prescription
Summary
colesevelam

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

Glipizide is a medicine that helps lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works along with diet and exercise.

What It Treats
colesevelam

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

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.

How It Works
colesevelam

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

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.

Common Side Effects
colesevelam
  • Constipation
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea
  • Accidental injury
  • Weakness
glipizide
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rash
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
FAERS Reports
colesevelam
  • Diarrhoea 121
  • Dyspnoea 72
  • Cough 64
  • Muscle Spasms 61
  • Fatigue 59
glipizide
  • Blood Glucose Increased 6,677
  • Nausea 4,444
  • Diarrhoea 3,265
  • Fatigue 2,994
  • Weight Decreased 2,812
Serious Warnings
colesevelam

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

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.

Pregnancy
colesevelam

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.

glipizide

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.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

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 20,192. 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 represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for colesevelam or glipizide.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.