Colesevelam
Generic Welchol
Colesevelam (koh le SEV a lam) is a generic medication prescribed for lowering certain blood fats and improving blood sugar levels. Colesevelam belongs to a group of drugs called bile acid sequestrants.
Colesevelam (koh le SEV a lam) is a generic medication prescribed for lowering certain blood fats and improving blood sugar levels. Colesevelam belongs to a group of drugs called bile acid sequestrants.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 625mg
- • 180 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on September 28, 2023
Colesevelam (koh le SEV a lam) is a generic medication prescribed for lowering certain blood fats and improving blood sugar levels. Colesevelam belongs to a group of drugs called bile acid sequestrants.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved colesevelam, along with diet and exercise, to:
- reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides)
- reduce LDL cholesterol in certain children ages 10 years and older with a type of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
- improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes
Side effects
Side effects of colesevelam
Colesevelam may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of colesevelam and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about colesevelam’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for colesevelam listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of colesevelam are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about colesevelam’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for colesevelam listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Mild side effects of colesevelam oral tablet and colesevelam powder for oral suspension (a type of liquid mixture) include:
- constipation
- headache*
- indigestion
- nausea or vomiting
- mild allergic reaction†
* In studies, this side effect was seen in children ages 10–17 years.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for colesevelam” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of colesevelam are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about colesevelam’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for colesevelam listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, colesevelam’s serious side effects include:
- bowel blockage
- low levels of vitamins A, D, E, or K
- high levels of triglycerides
- pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for colesevelam” section.
FAQ
Common questions about colesevelam
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about colesevelam.
What brand names are available for colesevelam?
Colesevelam is available as the brand-name drug, Welchol. Colesevelam is the generic version of this brand-name product.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.
To find out more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can colesevelam be used for diarrhea or weight loss?
Possibly. Colesevelam isn’t approved to treat diarrhea or to help with weight loss. But doctors may choose to prescribe it for either of these purposes in some people. It’s called an off-label use when doctors prescribe a drug for a condition other than its approved uses.
You can learn more about using colesevelam for diarrhea or weight loss by talking with your doctor.
How does colesevelam work? And how long does it take to start working?
Colesevelam works in your intestines. It binds to bile acids, which are made of cholesterol. The drug carries the bile acids out of your body in your stool. Usually, your body reabsorbs bile acids and reuses them to help with digestion. As colesevelam gets rid of bile acids, your body has to make new ones instead of recycling old ones. This uses up cholesterol and lowers cholesterol levels in the process.
The way it works to improve blood sugar levels isn’t clear.
It can take about 2 weeks to see colesevelam’s effect on cholesterol levels. To see improvements in blood sugar levels, it usually takes about 4–6 weeks.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of colesevelam
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as colesevelam for certain conditions. Approved uses for colesevelam are described below.
Use for lowering cholesterol
Doctors may prescribe colesevelam oral tablet or colesevelam powder for oral suspension (a type of liquid mixture) for treating high cholesterol. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s also used in children ages 10 years and older to treat a form of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With high cholesterol, you have high levels of blood fats. This includes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is commonly called “bad cholesterol.” It’s common to have high cholesterol but not have any symptoms. Having high cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and blood vessel problems. Treating high cholesterol usually involves making changes to your diet and exercise routine. Colesevelam can help lower LDL cholesterol.
Colesevelam is prescribed together with diet and exercise changes.
Doctors may not prescribe colesevelam oral tablet or colesevelam powder for oral suspension (a type of liquid mixture) in certain situations, such as for treating:
- type 1 diabetes
- diabetic ketoacidosis (a life threatening complication of diabetes)
- certain other types of blood fat problems
Use for improving blood sugar levels
Doctors may prescribe colesevelam oral tablet or colesevelam powder for oral suspension (a type of liquid mixture) for improving blood sugar levels. It’s used for this purpose in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With type 2 diabetes, you have high blood sugar levels. This happens because there’s a problem with insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use blood sugar for energy. Either your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or it doesn’t respond to it the way it should.
With time, high blood sugar levels can damage your organs and tissues. This can lead to problems with your eyes, heart, kidneys, or nerves. Lowering your blood sugar levels can help prevent this damage. Colesevelam is one medication that may help.
Colesevelam is prescribed together with diet and exercise changes.
Doctors may not prescribe colesevelam oral tablet or colesevelam powder for oral suspension (a type of liquid mixture) in certain situations, such as for treating:
- type 1 diabetes
- diabetic ketoacidosis (a life threatening complication of diabetes)
- certain other types of blood fat problems
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for colesevelam
Below you’ll find information about colesevelam’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of colesevelam
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take colesevelam, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for colesevelam” section below.
Warnings for colesevelam
Some people should not take colesevelam, and others should take it cautiously.
Colesevelam could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether colesevelam is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for colesevelam, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Colesevelam can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to colesevelam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe colesevelam. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to colesevelam, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of colesevelam
You should not take more colesevelam than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much colesevelam, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and colesevelam
Information about colesevelam and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Colesevelam and pregnancy
It’s not known whether colesevelam should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Colesevelam and breastfeeding
In general, colesevelam is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. That said, ask your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about colesevelam or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How should I take colesevelam?
- Does colesevelam interact with any of my other medications?
- How does colesevelam compare with other medications that could treat my condition?
Resources
Resources
- Colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2e736dd4-bb64-4f93-9821-7c24ea7d38ec/spl-doc
- Colesevelam hydrochloride tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8867edcf-0b56-4203-8269-90b3af4ede36/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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