Colesevelam

Colesevelam is used to

• decrease the amount of cholesterol (a fat-like substance that can build up in blood vessels leading to heart attack or strokes or other medical conditions)
• control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally leading to high blood sugar)

Colesevelam is in a class of medications called bile acid sequestrants. It works by binding bile acids in your intestines to form a product that is removed from the body.

Colesevelam comes as a tablet and as a powder to be mixed with a liquid to take by mouth. Take the tablets once or twice a day with meals and a beverage. Take the powder once a day with a meal.  

Take colesevelam exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you are taking the powder for oral suspension, empty the entire contents of 1 packet into a glass. Add 8 ounces of water, fruit juice, or a diet soft drink. Stir well and drink the entire contents of the glass. It is normal for the contents to appear cloudy and not fully dissolve. Do not take the powder in its dry form.

Colesevelam controls your condition but does not cure it. Continue to take colesevelam even if you feel well. Do not stop taking colesevelam without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking colesevelam,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking colesevelam. Your doctor may change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• the following nonprescription products may interact with colesevelam: vitamins A, D, E, and K supplements. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking colesevelam. Do not start any of these medications while taking colesevelam without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• if you are taking cyclosporine, glipizide, glimepride, glyburide, levothyroxine, olmesartan, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), phenytoin, or vitamins, take them at least 4 hours before colesevelam.
• tell your doctor if you have or ever had a blockage in your stomach or intestines, high levels of triglycerides (fatty substance) in the blood, or swelling of the pancreas caused by high levels of triglycerides in the blood. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take colesevelam.
• tell your doctor if you have had surgery on your stomach or intestines, if you have or have ever had any problem with the ability to digest or absorb nutrients from food, or any type of stomach problem such as slow stomach emptying, or difficulty swallowing.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking colesevelam, call your doctor.
• if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, a condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent damage to your brain), you should know that the powder for oral suspension contains aspartame that forms phenylalanine.

Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. You can also visit the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) website for additional dietary information at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.pdf.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Side effects from colesevelam can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• gas
• constipation
• nausea, vomiting
• diarrhea
• heartburn
• stomach or back pain
• headache
• weakness
• muscle pain

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• severe abdominal pain with or without nausea and vomiting

Colesevelam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your response to colesevelam.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

• WelChol^®