Colesevelam
Generic name: colesevelam [ KOE-le-SEV-e-lam ]
Brand names: Welchol, Colesevelam Hydrochloride
Dosage forms: oral powder for reconstitution (3.75 g); oral tablet (625 mg)
Drug class:Bile acid sequestrants
What is colesevelam?
Colesevelam lowers "bad" cholesterol in the blood, which is also called LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Lowering your LDL cholesterol may reduce your risk of hardened arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and circulation problems.
Colesevelam is used to treat high cholesterol in adults and children at least 10 years old.
Colesevelam is sometimes used together with "statin" cholesterol medications such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor, and others.
Colesevelam is also used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Colesevelam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not take colesevelam if you have diabetic ketoacidosis, very high triglycerides, a history of bowel obstruction, or a history of pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take colesevelam if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
very high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in your blood;
diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment);
a history of bowel obstruction; or
a history of pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides.
Colesevelam may increase your triglycerides, which can increase your risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure your triglycerides are not too high for you to safely use colesevelam.
Colesevelam is not for use in girls who have not yet started having menstrual periods.
Colesevelam should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
trouble swallowing;
blockage in your digestive tract (stomac...
