COLESEVELAM
(KOE le SEV e lam) Brand: Welchol
What is the most significant information I must know about colesevelam?
• You must not take this medication if you have a history of bowel obstruction, if you have very tall levels of triglycerides (a type of thick in the blood), or if you have ever had pancreatitis caused by tall triglycerides.
What is colesevelam?
• Colesevelam is a cholesterol-lowering drug.
• 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 sometimes used together with other cholesterol-lowering medicine such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor).
• Colesevelam is also used to improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. This medicine is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
• Do not take colesevelam if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
• Colesevelam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
What must I discuss with my health care provider till taking colesevelam?
• You must not take colesevelam if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
· very tall levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in your blood;
· a history of bowel obstruction; or
· a history of pancreatitis caused by tall triglycerides.
• To create certain colesevelam is safety for you, speak your doctor if you have:
· trouble swallowing;
· a stomach, intestinal, or digestive disorder;
· a history of major stomach or bowel surgery; or
· if you have a vitamin A, D, E, or K deficiency.
• Colesevelam must not be given to a baby younger than 10 years old, or to a girl who has not yet started having menstrual periods.
• FDA pregnancy category B. Colesevelam is not expected to harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
• Taking colesevelam can create it harder for your body to absorb determined vitamins. These vitamins are significant if you are nursing a child. Speak your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• The powder form may contain phenylalanine. Conversation to your doctor till using this form of colesevelam if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
How must I take colesevelam?
• Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended.
• Take this medication with a meal and a full glass of water or another liquid.
• You may have to take different tablets at a time every time you take colesevelam. Follow your doctor's instructions. Speak your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole.
• To use the colesevelam powder, empty 1 packet into 4 to 8 ounces of water, fruit juice, or a diet soft drink. Stir and drink this mixture right away. To get the entire doze, add a few more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
• Colesevelam is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercice, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
• Do not change the doze or timing of any another cholesterol or diabetes medications without your doctor's advice.
• While using colesevelam, you may need frequent blood tests.
• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember (be certain to take the medication with food and a full glass of water). Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What must I avoid while taking colesevelam?
• Do not take any another medications within 4 hours till you take colesevelam. Colesevelam can create it harder for your body to absorb determined another medications.
• Avoid eating foods that are tall in thick or cholesterol. Colesevelam will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol lowering diet plan.
What are the possible side effects of colesevelam?
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using colesevelam and call your doctor at once if you have severe constipation or stomach pain.
• General side effects may include:
· mild constipation;
· nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, indigestion;
· feeling weak or tired;
· headache;
· muscle pain; or
· runny nose, sore throat, flu symptoms.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What another drugs will affect colesevelam?
• Speak your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with colesevelam, especially:
· bexarotene;
· cyclosporine;
· olmesartan;
· birth control pills; or
· insulin or oral diabetes medicine, especially glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, metformin.
• This list is not complete. Another drugs may interact with colesevelam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medicine manual.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about colesevelam.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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