Colestipol for diarrhea: Can it make you bruise and bleed?

Posted by koneil @koneil, Feb 18 8:41am

I have had bile induced diarrhea for at least five years.
Recently, my doctor prescribed Colestipol Hydrochloride for the direarrhea. The results were amazing. It feels like I'm reborn. My diarrhea has stopped.
I have noticed that if I bump into anything I get hugh black bruises on my arms. I have very thin skin on my forearm and the slightest cut bleeds forever. I was reading that colestipol can cause bleeding.
Could this be why I bruise and bleed so much? The bleeding and bruisesing is just on my forearms.
Does anyone else have this issue on Colestipol treatment? I can't stand the idea of living with chronic diarrhea again.

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samclembeau | @samclembeau | Feb 18 12:08pm

do you take vit.K? I believe colestipol prevents the absorption of vit. k. would ask your doctor if you should suppliment

koneil | @koneil | Feb 18 12:47pm

I take vitamin K and an assortment of others.
Thanks for your reply.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 18 1:20pm

In reply to @koneil "I take vitamin K and an assortment of others. Thanks for your reply." + (show)

@koneil - here is an information page including a list of side effects from Mayo Clinic on colestipol:

- Colestipol (oral route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/colestipol-oral-route/description/drg-20068621

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 18 1:42pm

I also wanted to tag a few members on Mayo Clinic Connect who might have feedback related to whether colestipol has caused bleeding or bruising problems for them @richannc @cherriann @pohl @gboi @dbmenger.

gboi | @gboi | Feb 18 2:22pm

It seems highly unlikely that colestipol would directly cause these symptoms. You should see a doctor, especially if these symptoms seem to have come out of no where, regardless of whether they coincide with the introduction of colestipol.

dbmenger | @dbmenger | Feb 18 3:22pm

In reply to @lisalucier "I also wanted to tag a few members on Mayo Clinic Connect who might have feedback..." + (show)

@lisalucier I love Colestipol too plus I have delicate skin. I noticed a few more bruises but I bought roll-on arnica gel and it clears them quickly. This way I didn’t have to choose between diarrhea (same cause as yours) and bruises.

koneil | @koneil | Feb 21 11:01am

In reply to @samclembeau "do you take vit.K? I believe colestipol prevents the absorption of vit. k. would ask your..." + (show)

@samclembeau Thank you for your reply. I did check what colestipol may cause, and bleeding is one of them. I did a little research and vitamin K helps with blood clotting. Colestipol will negate vitamin K, if taken incorrectly.
I tried a few vitamin stores, and cold not locate anyone that sells vitamin K, but I did find it on Amazon. I'm going to start taking the vitamin K immediately. I have my annual physical in early April and I hope I can get some positive results to report to my doctor.
Thank you for the tip.
I'll keep y'all posted.

aileenredding | @aileenredding | Feb 22 2:53pm

I take 3 Colestipol twice a day since I had my large bowel removed and my small intestines connected to my anus. I have loose stools pretty much constantly so I am a little jealous of the effect that colestipol has had with some people. But also I haven't had any bruising either. I also have oily stools but I have my gallbladder.