colestipol vs hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.

Side-by-side comparison of colestipol and hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene. 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

Cholestyramine and colestipol resins - Absorption of hydrochlorothiazide is impaired in the presence of anionic exchange resins. Single doses of either cholestyramine or colestipol resins bind the hydrochlorothiazide and reduce its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract by up to 85% and 43%, respectively.

Drug Class
colestipol Bile Acid Sequestrant
hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene Thiazide / Potassium-Sparing Diuretic Combination
Type
colestipol Prescription
hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene Prescription
Summary
colestipol

Colestipol is a drug that helps lower cholesterol levels in your blood. It works by binding to bile acids in your intestine, which helps your body get rid of cholesterol.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

This medicine combines lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide to lower high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

What It Treats
colestipol

Colestipol is used along with a healthy diet to lower high cholesterol levels, specifically LDL-C ('bad' cholesterol). It is for people who haven't been able to lower their cholesterol enough with diet alone. Lowering cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and stroke.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to serious problems like stroke and heart attack if it is not treated. Lowering your blood pressure can help prevent these problems. You may need more than one medicine to control your blood pressure.

How It Works
colestipol

Colestipol is a bile acid sequestrant. It binds to bile acids in your intestines. This helps your body get rid of cholesterol, which lowers the amount of cholesterol in your blood.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that widens blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that helps your body get rid of extra salt and water. This combination helps to lower blood pressure.

Common Side Effects
colestipol
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal discomfort (pain and cramping)
  • Intestinal gas (bloating and flatulence)
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Diarrhea and loose stools
hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Feeling tired
  • Lightheadedness when standing up
FAERS Reports
colestipol
  • Diarrhoea 358
  • Nausea 221
  • Fatigue 210
  • Headache 136
  • Vomiting 125
hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene
  • Feeling tired 10,013
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 9,706
  • Loose stools 8,311
  • General pain 7,665
  • Difficulty breathing 7,584
Serious Warnings
colestipol

None

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

This medicine can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. You should not take this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (angioedema) to an ACE inhibitor or if you cannot urinate.

Pregnancy
colestipol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if colestipol can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

This medicine can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about other blood pressure medicines if you are breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

Compare colestipol with

How to Read This colestipol vs hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene Comparison

colestipol is classified in the Bile Acid Sequestrant drug class, while hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene sits within the Thiazide / Potassium-Sparing Diuretic Combination 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, colestipol has 1,050 submissions while hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene has 43,279. 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 this medication binds to the blood pressure drug in your digestive system, which prevents your body from absorbing it properly.. 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 colestipol or hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene.

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