Welchol

Hyperlipidemia, Physical Activity, Type 2 Diabetes + 3 more
Treatment
2 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Welchol

What is Welchol

ColesevelamThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryColesevelam 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.
Welcholis the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
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 PatientsColesevelam 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 bodyColesevelam 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 - Oral, Bar, chewable
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 - Oral, Bar, chewable
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 - Oral, Bar, chewable
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 - Oral, Bar, chewable
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 - Oral, Bar, chewable
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 - Oral, Bar, chewable

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 RiskOverdosing 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.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

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
14 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1
Diet
5 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1
Physical Activity
35 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Early Phase 1
Hypercholesterolemia
2 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 3
Type 2 Diabetes
174 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1

Welchol Reviews: What are patients saying about Welchol?

5Patient Review
12/1/2019
Welchol for High Cholesterol
I take a generic cholesterol medication after lunch. I'm waiting to see what my blood tests say, but so far there haven't been any negative interactions with my vitamins.
4.3Patient Review
8/30/2015
Welchol for High Cholesterol
I've been taking this drug for over a year and, even though it's working, I'm disappointed that my insurance company won't let me take Vytorin or Crestor anymore.
4Patient Review
3/20/2016
Welchol for High Cholesterol
My cardiologist recommended Welchol to help with my fibromyalgia as well as lower my cholesterol since statins made my muscles hurt. This drug has helped me in ways I didn't even expect, like solving digestion problems. Now I don't get heartburn or GERD, and food gets digested much more quickly. The only downside is the expense; even taking just two a day is pretty pricey.
3.7Patient Review
7/18/2016
Welchol for High Cholesterol
Though this drug is effective, it's exorbitantly priced. It seems like the manufacturer has us over a barrel, and there's no generic in sight. This is my only alternative to statins, which I can't take. Even with Medicare Part D coverage, the copay is now nearly $500 for a 90-day supply. Where is the extra help when seniors need it?
3.7Patient Review
3/23/2015
Welchol for Heterozygous Inherited High Blood Cholesterol
View All Reviews
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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 are the side effects of Welchol?

"T

The following are symptoms of the flu: constipation, nausea, indigestion, weakness or lack of energy, muscle aches or pain, sore throat."

Answered by AI

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

Clinical Trials for Welchol

Have you considered Welchol clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Welchol, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Welchol clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Welchol, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Welchol clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Welchol, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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