Colesevelam Tablets

What is this medication?

COLESEVELAM (koh le SEV e lam) treats high cholesterol. It works by removing bile acid from your body and decreasing the amount of bad cholesterol (such as LDL) in your blood. It may also be used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by decreasing your blood sugar (glucose). Changes to diet and exercise are often combined with this medication.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): WelChol

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Blockage in your bowels
• High cholesterol
• History of pancreatitis
• Low levels of potassium in the blood
• An unusual or allergic reaction to colesevelam, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Take it with food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

This medication contains colesevelam hydrochloride. It should be taken at a different time of day than some other medications taken by mouth. Talk to your care team if you are not sure if you should separate the timing of your drugs.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 10 for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• Cyclosporine
• Estrogen or progestin hormones
• Insulin
• Medications for diabetes, such as glimepiride, glipizide, and glyburide
• Medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Metformin
• Olmesartan
• Thyroid hormones
• Verapamil
• Vitamins
• Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may need blood work while you are taking this medication.

This medication may cause constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your care team.

Taking this medication is only part of a total heart healthy program. Your care team may give you a special diet to follow. Avoid alcohol. Avoid smoking. Ask your care team how much you should exercise.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Bowel blockage—stomach cramping, unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas, loss of appetite, vomiting
• Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medications to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If your cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.