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Welchol is used to treat high cholesterol in adults and children at least 10 years old.
Welchol 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.
Welchol is sometimes used together with "statin" cholesterol medications such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor, and others.
Welchol is also used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Welchol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not take Welchol if you have diabetic ketoacidosis, very high triglycerides, a history of bowel obstruction, or a history of pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides.
You should not take Welchol 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.
Welchol may increase your triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood), which can increase your risk of and that the long-term effect of hypertriglyceridemia on the risk of coronary artery disease is uncertain
Welchol is not for use in girls who have not yet started having menstrual periods.
Welchol should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
trouble swallowing;
a stomach, intestinal, or digestive disorder;
surgery on your stomach or intestines; or
a vitamin A, D, E, or K deficiency.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant.
The powder form of colesevelam may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take Welchol with a meal and a full glass of water or other liquid.
You may have to take several tablets at a time each time you take Welchol. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole.
Welchol powder must be mixed with 8 ounces of water, fruit juice, or a diet soft drink. Stir and drink this mixture right away. Add a little more water to the glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
You may need to follow a special diet to prevent constipation while using Welchol. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian.
Do not change the dose or timing of any other cholesterol or diabetes medications without your doctor's advice.
Welchol may increase your triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood), which can lead to pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). You will need frequent blood tests.
Welchol is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the medicine (with food and a full glass of water) as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or Welchol will not be as effective.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Welchol and call your doctor at once if you have:
severe constipation;
severe stomach pain; or
pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting.
Common side effects may include:
constipation;
nausea; or
upset stomach.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Welchol can make some medicines much less effective when taken at the same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take them 4 hours before you take this medicine:
cyclosporine;
olmesartan;
phenytoin;
levothyroxine or other thyroid medication;
birth control pills;
multivitamins;
warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or
oral diabetes medication--chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, or glyburide, tolazamide, tolbutamide.
This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Welchol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Further informationRemember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/27/2021.
Source: Drugs.com Welchol (www.drugs.com/mtm/welchol.html).
Note: This document contains side effect information about colesevelam. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Welchol.
In SummaryCommon side effects of Welchol include: constipation. Other side effects include: dyspepsia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
For the ConsumerApplies to colesevelam: oral powder for suspension, oral tablet
Along with its needed effects, colesevelam (the active ingredient contained in Welchol) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking colesevelam:
Less common
Incidence not known
Some side effects of colesevelam may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to colesevelam: oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet
GeneralThe most frequently reported side effects were constipation, dyspepsia, and nausea.
GastrointestinalVery common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 11%), flatulence
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal stools, abdominal distension
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysphagia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pancreatitis
Frequency not reported: Intestinal obstruction
Postmarketing reports: Bowel obstruction, esophageal obstruction, fecal impaction, exacerbation of hemorrhoids, pancreatitis
MetabolicCommon (1% to 10%): Hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia
CardiovascularCommon (1% to 10%): Hypertension, myocardial infarction, aortic stenosis, bradycardia
RespiratoryCommon (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis, rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection
OtherCommon (1% to 10%): Accidental injury, asthenia, flu syndrome/influenza, fatigue, creatine phosphokinase increased
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Serum transaminases increased
MusculoskeletalCommon (1% to 10%): Myalgia, back pain
Nervous systemCommon (1% to 10%): Headache
Postmarketing reports: Increased seizure activity (resulting from decreased phenytoin levels)
HypersensitivityIn clinical trials of type 2 diabetes, patient who received this drug as an add on to a sulfonylurea discontinued the trial due to body rash and mouth blistering that occurred on the first day of therapy.
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reaction
HematologicPostmarketing reports: Reduced international normalized ration (INR) in patient on warfarin therapy
HepaticPostmarketing reports: Increased transaminases
EndocrinePostmarketing reports: Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients receiving thyroid hormone replacement
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/27/2021.
Source: Drugs.com Welchol (www.drugs.com/mtm/welchol.html).
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