PlainMeds provides educational information only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

colestipol vs olmesartan

Side-by-side comparison of colestipol and olmesartan. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Lithium: Risk of lithium toxicity ( 7.2 ) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Reduced diuretic, natriuretic and antihypotensive effects; increased risk of renal toxicity ( 7.3 ) Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension, and hyperkalemia ( 7.4 ) Colesevelam hydrochloride: Consider administering olmesartan at least 4 hours before colesevelam hydrochloride dose ( 7.5 ) Antidiabetic drugs: Dosage adjustment may be required ( 7.6 ) Cholestyramine and colestipol: Reduced absorption of thiazides ( 7.6 ) 7.1...

Recommendation: Your doctor may advise you to take your blood pressure medication several hours before your dose of colestipol.

Drug Class
colestipol Bile Acid Sequestrant
olmesartan Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Type
colestipol Prescription
olmesartan 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.

olmesartan

No summary available.

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.

olmesartan

Information not available.

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.

olmesartan

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
colestipol
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal discomfort (pain and cramping)
  • Intestinal gas (bloating and flatulence)
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Diarrhea and loose stools
olmesartan
  • Nausea
  • High uric acid levels in the blood
  • Dizziness
  • Upper respiratory infection (like a cold)
FAERS Reports
colestipol
  • Diarrhea 358
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 221
  • Feeling tired 210
  • Headache 136
  • Throwing up 125
olmesartan

No adverse event reports.

Serious Warnings
colestipol

None

olmesartan

No specific warnings noted.

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.

olmesartan

No pregnancy information available.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This colestipol vs olmesartan Comparison

colestipol is classified in the Bile Acid Sequestrant drug class, while olmesartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) 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 olmesartan has 0. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to colestipol can bind to other drugs in your stomach and stop them from getting into your blood. this means you might not get the full benefit of your blood pressure treatment.. 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 colestipol and olmesartan - 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.