What is colesevelam?
Colesevelam is a cholesterol-lowering drug.
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 sometimes used together with another cholesterol-lowering medication such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor).
Colesevelam is also used to improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Do not take colesevelam if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
Colesevelam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about colesevelam?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to colesevelam, or if you have a bowel obstruction or if you have ever had pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides.
Before taking colesevelam, tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing, or if you have a history of major stomach or bowel surgery, a vitamin deficiency, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Colesevelam will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Do not take any other medications within 4 hours before or after you take colesevelam. Colesevelam can make it harder for your body to absorb certain other medications.
Stop using colesevelam and call your doctor at once if you have severe constipation or stomach pain.
Colesevelam is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Do not change the dose or timing of any other cholesterol or diabetes medications without your doctor's advice.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking colesevelam?
You should not use colesevelam if you are allergic to it, or if you have a bowel obstruction or if you have ever had pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides.
To make sure you can safely take colesevelam, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
trouble swallowing;
a stomach, intestinal, or digestive disorder;
a history of major stomach or bowel surgery; or
if you have a vitamin A, D, E, or K deficiency.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Taking colesevelam can make it harder for your body to absorb certain vitamins. These vitamins are important if you are nursing a baby. Do not take colesevelam without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Colesevelam should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old, or to a girl who has not yet started having menstrual periods.
The liquid form may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of colesevelam if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).