Colestyramine Acarbose

Acarbose. Colestyramine 12 g daily for 6 days, given to 8 healthy subjects taking acarbose 100 mg three times daily, improved the reduction in postprandial insulin levels. The mean serum insulin levels fell by 23% while taking both drugs, but showed a rebound 31% increase above baseline when both were stopped. ... 

Acarbose increases bowel motility, which reduces the effect of colestyramine. 

A report suggests that the hypocholesterolaemic effect of colestipol is unaffected in insulin-treated diabetics but it may be ineffective in those taking phenformin and sulphonylureas. Diabetic control was not affected. Colestyramine may enhance the effect of acarbose, and insulin levels may rebound if both drugs are stopped at the same time. There is evidence that the absorption of glipizide may be reduced by about 30% if it is taken at the same time as colestyramine, but tolbutamide does not appear to be affected. 

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