Welchol (Colesevelam)

Description

Welchol (colesevelam hydrochloride) is an oral medication prescribed with diet and exercise to:

• Decrease elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, or “bad” cholesterol) in adults with primary hyperlipidemia
• Decrease LDL-C in boys and girls who have already had their first period, 10-17 years old, who have heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and are unable to achieve target LDL-C levels even after undergoing an adequate trial of diet and lifestyle modifications
• Improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetic adults

Welchol comes in 625 mg oral tablets and 3.75 gram packets for oral suspension.

Directions

Welchol should be taken as prescribed. Your doctor will determine an appropriate Welchol dosage for you.

Recommending dosing with the tablets: Take 6 tablets by mouth once a day OR 3 tablets by mouth twice a day; take with liquid and a meal.

Recommended dosing with the oral suspension: Use one packet once a day with a meal. First, empty the contents of one packet into a glass. Next, add 1 cup of fruit juice, diet soft drink, or water. Finally, stir well and drink.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist and carefully read the medication guide for further usage instructions.

Keep in a dry area at 77°F (25°C).

Any questions or concerns may be referred to your doctor or pharmacist.

Ingredients

Colesevelam hydrochloride is the active ingredient in Welchol.

Magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), acetylated monoglyceride, and water-soluble black ink are the inactive ingredients included in the tablets.

Lemon flavor, orange flavor, propylene glycol alginate, simethicone, aspartame, citric acid, medium chain triglycerides, and magnesium trisilicate (<5 calories per 3.75 gram single-dose packet) are the inactive ingredients in the packets for oral suspension. The oral suspension also contains 27 mg phenylalanine per 3.75 gram dose.

Contraindications

Do not take Welchol if you have serum triglyceride levels that are greater than 500 mg/dL, have had hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis, or have had a bowel obstruction.

Cautions

• Before you begin taking Welchol, tell your doctor about:
• All the medications you take, including prescription and nonprescription medications
• Your allergies
• Your current health conditions
• Your past medical history
• Your pregnancy or breastfeeding status
• Welchol is associated with the following warnings and precautions:
• Hypertriglyceridemia and pancreatitis
• Gastrointestinal obstruction
• Deficiencies in vitamin K or fat-soluble vitamins
• Drug interactions
• Risks in patients with phenylketonuria, as the Welchol oral suspension contains 27 mg of phenylalanine per 3.75 gram packet.

Side Effects

Welchol side effects may include but are not limited to constipation, indigestion, nausea, lack of energy, pharyngitis, flu syndrome, rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, muscle pain, headache, and low blood sugar.

Immediately inform your doctor of any bothersome or persistent side effects you experience while receiving treatment with Welchol.

Searching for a competitive Welchol cost? Here, you can buy Welchol with a valid prescription from your doctor.

Reference

1. Welchol. South Plainfield, NJ: Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2022.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....