Colesevelam (oral route)

Welchol

Colesevelam is used together with proper diet and exercise to lower high cholesterol levels in the blood. This may help prevent medical problems caused by cholesterol clogging the blood vessels. It is also used to lower high blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Colesevelam works by attaching to food substances in the intestines (bowels). This medicine is not absorbed from the intestines, so these substances pass out of the body without being absorbed. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of colesevelamto lower high cholesterol levels in the bloodin boys and in girls who have had their first menstrual period 10 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been establishedto lower high cholesterol levels in the bloodin children younger than 10 years of age or in girls before having their first menstrual period andto lower high blood sugar levelsin children with type 2 diabetes. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of colesevelam in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults. Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: