Colesevelam

Pronunciation: KOE-le-SEV-e-lam
Generic Name: Colesevelam
Brand Name: Welchol

Colesevelam is used for:

Reducing high cholesterol levels. It is used along with diet and exercise. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It is also used along with other medicines to control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant. It works to decrease cholesterol by increasing the removal of bile acids from the body. As the body loses bile acids, it replaces them by converting cholesterol from the blood to bile acids. This causes the blood level of cholesterol to decrease. Exactly how it works to treat type 2 diabetes is not known.

Do NOT use Colesevelam if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Colesevelam


• you have a history of certain bowel problems (eg, blockage, paralysis, slow movement of the bowel muscles) or major stomach or bowel surgery, or you are at risk of bowel blockage


• you have very high triglyceride levels or a history of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) caused by high triglyceride levels


• you have type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Colesevelam:

Some medical conditions may interact with Colesevelam. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have trouble swallowing, hemorrhoids, or a history of high triglyceride levels or stomach or bowel problems


• if you have low levels of certain vitamins (A, D, E, K) or nutrient absorption problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Colesevelam. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Insulin or sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide) because the risk of high triglyceride levels may be increased


• Cyclosporine, glyburide, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), phenytoin, thyroid hormone replacements (eg, levothyroxine), or warfarin because their effectiveness may be decreased by Colesevelam

Ask your health care provider if Colesevelam may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Colesevelam:

Use Colesevelam as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Colesevelam by mouth with plenty of fluids and a meal.


• If you also take cyclosporine, birth control pills, glyburide, phenytoin, thyroid hormone replacements (eg, levothyroxine), or vitamins, take them at least 4 hours before you take Colesevelam.


• Continue to take Colesevelam even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Colesevelam, take it with a liquid at your next meal. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Colesevelam.

Important safety information:

• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.


• It may take several weeks for Colesevelam to begin working.


• If Colesevelam causes constipation, check with your doctor or pharmacist for ways to lessen this effect.


• Colesevelam may decrease the absorption of certain other medicines into your body. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see how you should take your other medicines with Colesevelam.


• Diabetes patients - Carry an ID card at all times that says you have diabetes. Check your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor. If they are often higher or lower than they should be and you take Colesevelam exactly as prescribed, tell your doctor.


• Diabetes patients - Colesevelam may lower your blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your heart beat faster; make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. It is a good idea to carry a reliable source of glucose (eg, tablets or gel) to treat low blood sugar. If this is not available, you should eat or drink a quick source of sugar like table sugar, honey, candy, orange juice, or non-diet soda. This will raise your blood sugar level quickly. Tell your doctor right away if this happens. To prevent low blood sugar, eat meals at the same time each day and do not skip meals.


• Lab tests, including cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose levels, may be performed while you use Colesevelam. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Colesevelam should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old or in girls who have not had their first menstrual period; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Colesevelam while you are pregnant. It is not known if Colesevelam is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Colesevelam, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Colesevelam:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; headache; indigestion; mild stomach pain; muscle aches; nausea; sore throat; stomach discomfort; tiredness; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); choking; difficulty swallowing; severe or persistent constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; symptoms of pancreas inflammation (eg, severe stomach or back pain with or without nausea or vomiting, stomach tenderness or swelling); throat pain or irritation.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Colesevelam side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include severe constipation.

Proper storage of Colesevelam:

Store Colesevelam at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Colesevelam out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Colesevelam, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Colesevelam is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Colesevelam. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Colesevelam resources

• Colesevelam Side Effects (in more detail)
• Colesevelam Dosage
• Colesevelam Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Colesevelam Drug Interactions
• Colesevelam Support Group
• 19 Reviews for Colesevelam - Add your own review/rating

• colesevelam Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• colesevelam Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Colesevelam Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Welchol Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Colesevelam with other medications

• Diabetes, Type 2
• Diarrhea, Chronic
• High Cholesterol
• Hyperlipoproteinemia
• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL