Two medicines, side by side
Colestipol vs cholestyramine
Colestipol and cholestyramine are both labeled for high cholesterol. Drugs@FDA records approvals of colestipol since 1977 and of cholestyramine since 1973. Pharmacies paid $0.658 per colestipol HCl 1 g tablet and $0.834 per packet (Cholestyramine packet) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the colestipol FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 19, 2024); the cholestyramine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 20, 2026).
Highlights of the colestipol record
Colestipol (Colestid) · label of February 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsSince no drug is innocuous, strict attention should be paid to the indications and contraindications, particularly when selecting drugs for chronic long-term use. Colestipol hydrochloride tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum total and LDL-C in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated LDL-C) who do not respond adequately to diet. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 4, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.658 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the cholestyramine record
Cholestyramine (Questran) · label of August 20, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCholestyramine for oral suspension, USP powder is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol) who do not respond adequately to diet. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 3, 1973
- Generic labelers
- 15 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.834 per packet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Colestipol label of February 19, 2024, Cholestyramine label of August 20, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do colestipol and cholestyramine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class bile acid sequestrants.
Generics: colestipol since 2006; cholestyramine since 1996 (Drugs@FDA).
| Colestipol | Cholestyramine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol | High cholesterol |
| Pharmacologic class | Bile Acid Sequestrant | Bile Acid Sequestrant |
| How it works (label) | n/a | and an effect on serum lipids similar to that of cholestyramine for oral suspension) plus either nicotinic acid or lovastatin. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 4, 1977 | August 3, 1973 |
| First generic approved | May 2, 2006 | February 22, 1996 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 15 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.658 per tablet (Colestipol HCl 1 g tablet) | $0.834 per packet (Cholestyramine packet) |
| 12-month price change | -0.7% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,599 | 12,024 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Colestipol label, drug interactionsA study has shown that cholestyramine binds bile acids and reduces mycophenolic acid exposure.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to colestipol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions