colesevelam
Used for Type 2 Diabetes and High Cholesterol
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Manufactured by various FDA-approved generic manufacturers.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
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colesevelam Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Warnings & Dosing
What dosages is colesevelam available in?
colesevelam is available as a 625 mg oral tablet and a 1.875 g and 3.75 g oral suspension.
What is colesevelam used for?
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
How does colesevelam work?
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.
How do I take colesevelam?
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
Is it safe for me to take colesevelam?
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
colesevelam Common Side Effects
Common side effects of colesevelam:
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Weakness
colesevelam Serious Side Effects
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
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on colesevelam
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
Who makes colesevelam?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is colesevelam safe in pregnancy?
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.
What to do if you missed your colesevelam dose
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
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Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Things to know
What is the drug colesevelam used for?
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What is the best time to take colesevelam?
What are the side effects of taking Welchol?
What kind of drug is colesevelam?
Can Welchol cause weight loss?
Does colesevelam stop diarrhea?
How long does it take for colesevelam to work for diarrhea?
Does Welchol cause weight loss?
How do you know if you have bile acid diarrhea?
When is the best time to take Welchol for diarrhea?
What is the best medicine for bile acid diarrhea?
Who should not take bile salts?
How effective is colesevelam?
Can you buy colesevelam over the counter?
Does colesevelam cause flatulence?
Can colesevelam cause weight gain?
Can Welchol help you lose weight?
Does Welchol help with weight loss?
How to lose weight with bile acid malabsorption?
Does colesevelam have side effects?
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Can colesevelam cause fatty liver?
Does colesevelam increase blood sugar?
When is the best time to take colesevelam?
How much does colesevelam reduce A1C?
When is the best time to take colesevelam for bile acid malabsorption?
Can colesevelam cause pancreatitis?
Can colesevelam cause liver problems?
Does Welchol cause weight gain?
What are the side effects of bile acid malabsorption medication?
What are the precautions for colesevelam?
What is the most common drug to cause liver failure?
How does colesevelam work for diarrhea?
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