Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my colesevelam

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your colesevelam using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for colesevelam, Canadian Prescription Savings for colesevelam, colesevelam Drug Coupons, colesevelam Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is colesevelam available in?

Accepted Answer

colesevelam is available as a 625 mg oral tablet and a 1.875 g and 3.75 g oral suspension.

Question 3

What is colesevelam used for?

Accepted Answer

colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant that is used as an add-on to diet and exercise for the treatment of:  High cholesterol in adults High cholesterol in certain children 10 to 17 years with genetic cholesterol problems Type 2 diabetes in adults

Question 4

How does colesevelam work?

Accepted Answer

colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant. It works by attaching to bile acid in your intestines to prevent it from being absorbed into your body. This causes your liver to turn the cholesterol in your body into bile acid to replace what couldn’t get absorbed. As a result, the amount of cholesterol in your body drops.
colesevelam can also help lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It’s not exactly known how it works. But it’s thought to work by raising the levels of a protein called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) that releases insulin.

Question 5

How do I take colesevelam?

Accepted Answer

colesevelam is typically dosed as follows:  Tablets: The typical dose is 3.75 grams by mouth per day. This dose is given as either six 625 mg tablets once a day or three 625 mg tablets twice a day Powder for oral suspension: The typical dose is 3.75 grams by mouth per day. This dose is given as either one 3.75-gram packet once a day or two 1.875-gram packets twice per day colesevelam should be taken with food

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take colesevelam?

Accepted Answer

colesevelam is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have any of the following:  Blood triglyceride levels that are greater than 500 mg/dL History of pancreatitis due to high triglycerides History of stomach or intestinal blockage

Question 7

colesevelam Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of colesevelam:  Constipation Indigestion Nausea Weakness

Question 8

colesevelam Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with colesevelam. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis): nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain that spreads to your back Stomach or intestine problems: severe constipation, severe stomach pain, blood in your stool

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on colesevelam

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with colesevelam:  In drug interaction studies, colesevelam reduced levels of cyclosporine glyburide, levothyroxine, and oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone There have been post marketing reports of decreases in phenytoin levels in patients receiving phenytoin concomitantly with colesevelam and decreases in INR in patients receiving warfarin concomitantly with WELCHO

Question 10

Who makes colesevelam?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is colesevelam safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of the teratogenic potential of colesevelam in pregnant women. colesevelam should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Question 12

What is the brand name for colesevelam?

Accepted Answer

WELCHOL

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my colesevelam prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your colesevelam prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient colesevelam savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient colesevelam savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for colesevelam	Canadian Prescription Savings* for colesevelam	colesevelam Drug Coupon*	colesevelam Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of colesevelam?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for colesevelam	Canadian Prescription Savings* for colesevelam	colesevelam Drug Coupon*	colesevelam Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the colesevelam savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the colesevelam drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for colesevelam, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the colesevelam prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, colesevelam is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed colesevelam for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the colesevelam prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the colesevelam prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for colesevelam

If you are having trouble paying for your colesevelam medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for colesevelam you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
colesevelam is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers colesevelam
If colesevelam is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for colesevelam

If you are having trouble paying for your colesevelam medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for colesevelam you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers colesevelam
If colesevelam is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for colesevelam

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your colesevelam treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for colesevelam you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for colesevelam
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.