Did your doctor tell you that you have high cholesterol? Or do you have Type 2 Diabetes ? Perhaps for one or both of these conditions, your doctor has prescribed you a pill called Colesevelam. This medication also comes under the brand name WelChol. So when you take this medication, you probably have a lot of questions like, 'What will happen with this?', 'What should you be careful about when using it?'. Let's talk about this simply and clearly today.
What actually happens with this Colesevelam medicine?
This medicine mainly does two things.
1. High cholesterol control : Simply put, this medicine binds bile acids in our body in the intestines and excretes them with feces . Then, our liver has to use the "bad cholesterol" ( LDL cholesterol ) in the blood to make new bile acids. This process is what reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.
2. Type 2 Diabetes Control: For those with this condition, this medicine also helps control blood sugar levels ( blood glucose ).
But you need to remember this very well. This medicine is not magic. The best results can only be achieved with a good diet and the exercises recommended by the doctor .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she will need to know your complete medical history. Be sure to tell them about any of the conditions listed below.
- If you have previously had a bowel blockage or severe constipation.
- If your blood triglyceride levels are very high.
- If you have previously had a condition called pancreatitis.
- If you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine, Colesevelam, or any other medicine or food.
- If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
The medicine should be used in the right way.
To get the best results from this medicine, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Take the dose prescribed by your doctor exactly as prescribed. Swallow these pills with a glass of water.
- Always take this medicine with a meal .
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day as much as possible. Making this a habit will help you avoid missing your dose.
- Continue to use the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
- Important: If you are taking other medications, you may need to leave a gap of several hours between taking this Colesevelam tablet and the other medication. So talk to your doctor about this and get specific advice.
Do you give this medicine to children?
Yes. In some special cases, this medicine is also prescribed to children over the age of 10. But it is done on medical advice and with great caution.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Colesevelam is a medication that can interact with some other medications. This means that it can affect the way those medications work. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Immune-suppressing drugs | Cyclosporine |
| Types of hormones | Estrogen or progestin hormones |
| Diabetes medications | Insulin, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, Metformin |
| Medicines for epilepsy/ seizures | carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin |
| High blood pressure medications | Olmesartan, Verapamil |
| Thyroid hormone medications | Thyroid hormones |
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin |
| Vitamins | Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about everything you take. Don't forget to tell him if you smoke or drink alcohol.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. These can be divided into two main categories.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bowel blockage | Stomach pain, inability to pass stool or air, loss of appetite, vomiting. |
| Pancreatitis | Severe pain in the upper abdomen (this may spread to the back), pain that worsens after eating, fever, nausea, vomiting. |
| Side effects that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | |
| Nausea | |
| Runny or stuffy nose | |
| Sore throat | |
| Upset stomach | |
Take-Home Message
- Colesevelam is a medication used to control high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
- Always take this medicine with food, as directed by your doctor.
- It is very important to inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- Taking medication alone is not enough. A healthy diet and exercise are also part of this treatment.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe stomach pain, allergic symptoms, or severe difficulty defecating.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
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