COLESEVELAM - ORAL (Welchol) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

COLESEVELAM-ORAL Index

colesevelam - oral, Welchol

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GENERIC NAME: COLESEVELAM - ORAL (KOE-le-SEV-e-lam)

BRAND NAME(S): Welchol

USES: This medication is used along with a proper diet and exercise to lower cholesterol in people with high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Lowering cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.Colesevelam is also used along with a proper diet and exercise to lower high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke.Colesevelam belongs to a class of drugs called bile acid-binding resins. Bile acid is a natural substance the liver makes by using cholesterol. This medication works by removing bile acid from the body. This causes the liver to make more bile acid by using cholesterol, which reduces cholesterol levels in the blood. It is not known how colesevelam works in lowering blood sugar.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with a meal, usually 1 to 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Take the tablet form with a liquid (such as water, milk).If you are using the powder form of this medication, pour the contents of one packet into a glass. Add one-half to one cup (4 to 8 ounces or 120 to 240 milliliters) of water. Stir the mixture well and drink. Do not take the powder without mixing in water.Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.Colesevelam may decrease the absorption of other products you may be taking. Some examples include cyclosporine, glyburide, levothyroxine, and phenytoin, as well as birth control pills that contain ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Take these other medications at least 4 hours before taking your colesevelam dose. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure when to take your medications.