Welchol
Hyperlipidemia, Physical Activity, Type 2 Diabetes + 3 more
Treatment
2 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Welchol
Treatment for
Hyperlipidemia
What is Welchol
Colesevelam
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Colesevelam is a medication that lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. It works by binding bile acids in the intestine, which are substances made when cholesterol is broken down in the body. Along with diet and exercise changes, colesevelam can help reduce the amount of cholesterol and fatty substances in the blood.
Welchol
is the brand name
Welchol Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Welchol
Colesevelam
2000
42
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Colesevelam, commonly known as Welchol, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses including Hyperlipidemia and High Cholesterol .
Hyperlipidemia
Used to treat Hyperlipidemias in combination with null
High Cholesterol
Used to treat Hyperlipidemias in combination with null
Effectiveness
How Welchol Affects Patients
Colesevelam helps to reduce levels of cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B (a protein associated with LDL cholesterol) in the body. High levels of these substances are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. It has been shown that low levels of HDL cholesterol also lead to heart disease. Colesevelam can be taken with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor medicines to reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels even more than either drug taken alone.
How Welchol works in the body
Colesevelam stops bile acids from being reabsorbed in the intestines. This causes the body to convert cholesterol into bile acid, and then clear LDL cholesterol from the blood. This process may also increase or keep the same the amount of triglycerides in your blood, resulting in lower levels of LDL cholesterol.
When to interrupt dosage
The extent of Welchol is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, including Type 2 Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia and Hyperlipidemia. The measure of dosage is determined by the technique of delivery as presented in the table below.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Physical Activity
3750.0 mg, , 625.0 mg, 1875.0 mg
, Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Bar, chewable, Bar, chewable - Oral
Type 2 Diabetes
3750.0 mg, , 625.0 mg, 1875.0 mg
, Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Bar, chewable, Bar, chewable - Oral
High Cholesterol
3750.0 mg, , 625.0 mg, 1875.0 mg
, Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Bar, chewable, Bar, chewable - Oral
Diet
3750.0 mg, , 625.0 mg, 1875.0 mg
, Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Bar, chewable, Bar, chewable - Oral
Hypercholesterolemia
3750.0 mg, , 625.0 mg, 1875.0 mg
, Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Bar, chewable, Bar, chewable - Oral
Hyperlipidemia
3750.0 mg, , 625.0 mg, 1875.0 mg
, Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Bar, chewable, Bar, chewable - Oral
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Welchol.
Common Welchol Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Mycophenolate mofetil
Major
Colesevelam can cause a decrease in the absorption of Mycophenolate mofetil resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
Mycophenolic acid
Major
Colesevelam can cause a decrease in the absorption of Mycophenolic acid resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
Raloxifene
Major
Colesevelam can cause a decrease in the absorption of Raloxifene resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
(R)-warfarin
Minor
Colesevelam can cause a decrease in the absorption of (R)-warfarin resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
(S)-Warfarin
Minor
Colesevelam can cause a decrease in the absorption of (S)-Warfarin resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
Welchol Toxicity & Overdose Risk
Overdosing on colesevelam can cause eye irritation, constipation, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Because the drug is not absorbed, the risk of serious side effects is very low. Taking more than 4.5 grams of colesevelam in one day has not been tested.
Welchol Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Welchol?
184 active studies are currently being conducted to explore the potential of Welchol in improving Hyperlipidemia, Type 2 Diabetes and Hypercholesterolemia.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Hyperlipidemia
0 Actively Recruiting
High Cholesterol
18 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Early Phase 1, Not Applicable
Diet
4 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1
Physical Activity
25 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2
Hypercholesterolemia
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 3
Type 2 Diabetes
158 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Welchol Reviews: What are patients saying about Welchol?
5
Patient Review
12/1/2019
Welchol for High Cholesterol
4.3
Patient Review
8/30/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
4
Patient Review
3/20/2016
Welchol for High Cholesterol
3.7
Patient Review
7/18/2016
Welchol for High Cholesterol
3.7
Patient Review
3/23/2015
Welchol for Heterozygous Inherited High Blood Cholesterol
3.7
Patient Review
5/28/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
3.3
Patient Review
7/22/2016
Welchol for High Cholesterol
3.3
Patient Review
12/23/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
3
Patient Review
7/5/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
3
Patient Review
6/8/2016
Welchol for High Cholesterol
2.7
Patient Review
4/8/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
2.3
Patient Review
10/24/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
2
Patient Review
7/21/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
1.3
Patient Review
5/4/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
1
Patient Review
4/20/2016
Welchol for High Amount of Fats in the Blood
Patient Q&A Section about welchol
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What is the medication Welchol used for?
"This medication is most effective when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise regime. lower cholesterol levels reduces the risk of developing heart disease, and can also prevent strokes and heart attacks."
Answered by AI
Is Welchol used to treat diarrhea?
"Welchol is a prescription medication that eliminates excess bile acid in the intestines and reduces cholesterol. It has also been studied for its effects on reducing diarrhea in patients with IBS-D."
Answered by AI
Is Welchol a statin drug?
"Welchol binds with bile acids and removes them from the body. This causes the liver to use LDL cholesterol to make more bile acids. Fewer bile acids in your blood results in lower LDL cholesterol levels.
Welchol lowers "bad" cholesterol in a different way to statins. Statins work in the liver, but Welchol works in the intestines. Welchol is a "bile acid sequestrant" which is indicated to lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol. Bile acids are needed to help digest fat. Welchol binds with bile acids and removes them from the body. This causes the liver to use LDL cholesterol to make more bile acids. Fewer bile acids in your blood results in lower LDL cholesterol levels."
Answered by AI