colesevelam

What is the most important information I should know about colesevelam?

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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking colesevelam?

• 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.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• trouble swallowing;
• blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
• slow digestion;
• 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).

How should I take colesevelam?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may have to take several tablets at a time each time you take colesevelam. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole.

Colesevelam 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 will need frequent blood tests.

Colesevelam is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. You may need to follow a special diet to prevent constipation while using colesevelam. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking colesevelam?

Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or colesevelam will not be as effective.

What are the possible side effects of colesevelam?

• 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.

What other drugs will affect colesevelam?

Colesevelam can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take, which could make those medicines less effective. If you take any of the following medicines, take them 4 hours before you take colesevelam:

• 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 colesevelam. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about colesevelam.

Remember, 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.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 12.01. Revision date: 9/24/2020.