WELCHOL
Used for Type 2 Diabetes and High Cholesterol
Are you tired of high medication costs? Our service offers unbeatable savings on your WELCHOL prescription medication. We provide a range of solutions to help you save up to 100% on your medication costs*. Whether you are insured, uninsured, underinsured, or simply looking to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, we've got you covered.
Manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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WELCHOL key facts
What is WELCHOL?
WELCHOL is the brand name for colesevelam and is available as an oral tablet and suspension.
What dosages is WELCHOL available in?
WELCHOL is available as a 625 mg oral tablet and a 1.875 g and 3.75 g oral suspension.
What is WELCHOL used for?
WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL work?
WELCHOL 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.
WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL?
WELCHOL 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
- WELCHOL should be taken with food
Is it safe for me to take WELCHOL?
WELCHOL 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
WELCHOL Common Side Effects
Common side effects of WELCHOL:
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Weakness
WELCHOL Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with WELCHOL. 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 WELCHOL
The following medications may interact with WELCHOL:
- In drug interaction studies, WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL and decreases in INR in patients receiving warfarin concomitantly with WELCHO
Who makes WELCHOL?
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
Is WELCHOL safe in pregnancy?
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of the teratogenic potential of WELCHOL in pregnant women. WELCHOL should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effectsDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my WELCHOL prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your WELCHOL prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient WELCHOL savings programs work?
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.
Are the NowPatient WELCHOL savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
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 WELCHOL | Canadian Prescription Savings* for WELCHOL | WELCHOL Drug Coupon* | WELCHOL 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.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of WELCHOL?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for WELCHOL | Canadian Prescription Savings* for WELCHOL | WELCHOL Drug Coupon* | WELCHOL 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.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the WELCHOL savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL, 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).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the WELCHOL prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the WELCHOL prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can 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, 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.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the WELCHOL 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?
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 WELCHOL
If you are having trouble paying for your WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL
- If WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL
If you are having trouble paying for your WELCHOL medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL
- If WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL
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 WELCHOL 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 WELCHOL you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for WELCHOL
- 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.
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.
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You can lower the cost of your prescription medications using our various savings programs which include drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.
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