Colesevelam (Oral-Local)
   
Colesevelam (Oral-Local)
US Brand Names
• Welchol
Description
Colesevelam (koh-le-SEV-e-lam) is used to lower high cholesterol levels in the blood. This may help prevent medical problems caused by cholesterol clogging the blood vessels.
Colesevelam works by attaching to certain substances in the intestine. Since colesevelam is not absorbed into the body, these substances also pass out of the body without being absorbed.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
Special Considerations
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For colesevelam, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to colesevelam. Also, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Diet
Before prescribing medicine for your condition, your doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a diet may be low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following their doctor's orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed.
Also, this medicine is less effective if you are greatly overweight. It may be very important for you to go on a reducing diet. However, check with your doctor before going on any diet.
Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet. Most medicines contain more than their active ingredient.
Pregnancy
Colesevelam has not been studied in pregnant women. However, colesevelam has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether colesevelam passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children
Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of colesevelam in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults
This medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of colesevelam. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
• Bowel obstruction or
• Difficulty swallowing or
• Major gastrointestinal surgery (recent) or
• Severe gastrointestinal motility disorders-Colesevelam may make these conditions worse
• Hypersensitivity
Administration
Dosing
The dose of colesevelam will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of colesevelam. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking colesevelam .
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
To store this medicine:
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions
Your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits . This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol levels and to decide if you should continue to take it.
Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor . When you stop taking this medicine, your blood cholesterol levels may increase again. Your doctor may want you to follow a special diet to help prevent this from happening.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Congestion; cough; dryness or soreness of throat; hoarseness; muscle aches or pain; trouble in swallowing.
Other side effects 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
Acid or sour stomach; belching; constipation; indigestion; stomach discomfort, upset, or pain.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
August 14, 2000 
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