Welchol
Infusing Good Cholesterol May Help Unclog Arteries »
"Nov. 5, 2012 (Los Angeles) -- An IV infusion of "good" HDL cholesterol seems to rapidly remove cholesterol out of plaque-clogged arteries following a heart attack, a small, early study suggests.
The goal of the new treatment is to red"...
Read the Infusing Good Cholesterol May Help Unclog Arteries article »
Welchol
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism of Action
Primary Hyperlipidemia
Colesevelam hydrochloride, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in WELCHOL, is a non-absorbed, lipid-lowering polymer that binds bile acids in the intestine, impeding their reabsorption. As the bile acid pool becomes depleted, the hepatic enzyme, cholesterol 7-α-hydroxylase, is upregulated, which increases the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. This causes an increased demand for cholesterol in the liver cells, resulting in the dual effect of increasing transcription and activity of the cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, and increasing the number of hepatic LDL receptors. These compensatory effects result in increased clearance of LDL-C from the blood, resulting in decreased serum LDL-C levels. Serum TG levels may increase or remain unchanged.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
The mechanism by which WELCHOL improves glycemic control is unknown.
Pharmacodynamics
A maximum therapeutic response to the lipid-lowering effects of WELCHOL was achieved within 2 weeks and was maintained during long-term therapy. In the diabetes clinical studies, a therapeutic response to WELCHOL, as reflected by a reduction in hemoglobin A1C (A1C), was initially noted following 4-6 weeks of treatment and reached maximal or near-maximal effect after 12-18 weeks of treatment.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Colesevelam hydrochloride is a hydrophilic, water-insoluble polymer that is not hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes and is not absorbed.
Distribution
Colesevelam hydrochloride is not absorbed, and therefore, its distribution is limited to the gastrointestinal tract.
Metabolism
Colesevelam hydrochloride is not metabolized systemically and does not interfere with systemic drug-metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P-450.
Excretion
In 16 healthy volunteers, an average of 0.05% of administered radioactivity from a single 14C-labeled colesevelam hydrochloride dose was excreted in the urine.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions between colesevelam and concomitantly administered drugs were screened through in vitro studies and confirmed in in vivo studies. In vitro studies demonstrated that cephalexin, metformin, and ciprofloxacin had negligible binding to colesevelam hydrochloride. Therefore, an in vivo pharmacokinetic interaction of WELCHOL with these drugs is unlikely. WELCHOL was found to have no significant effect on the bioavailability of aspirin, atenolol, digoxin, enalapril, fenofibrate, lovastatin, metoprolol, phenytoin, pioglitazone, quinidine, rosiglitazone, sitagliptin, valproic acid, and warfarin. The results of additional in vivo drug interactions of WELCHOL are presented in Table 5.
Table 5 : Mean Change in Drug
Exposure (AUC0-∞ and Cmax) when Administered with WELCHOL (3.75 g)a
| Drug | Dose | Co-administered | 1 hr prior to WELCHOL | 4 hr prior to WELCHOL | |||
| AUC0-∞ | Cmax | AUC0-∞ | Cmax | AUC0-∞ | Cmax | ||
| Cyclosporine | 200 mg | -34% | -44% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ethinyl Estradiol* b | 0.035 mg | -24% | -24% | -18% | -1% | -12% | 0% |
| Glimepirideb | 4 mg | -18% | -8% | N/A | N/A | -6% | 3% |
| Glipizideb | 20 mg | -12% | -13% | N/A | N/A | -4% | 0% |
| Glyburideb | 3 mg | -32% | -47% | -20% | -15% | -7% | 4% |
| Levothyroxineb | 600 p,g | -22% | -33% | 6% | -2% | 1% | 8% |
| Metformin ERc | 1500 mg | 44% | 8% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Norethindrone*b | 1 mg | -1% | -20% | 5% | -3% | 6% | 7% |
| Olmesartan Medoxomilb | 40 mg | -39% | -28% | N/A | N/A | -15% | -4% |
| Repaglinide | g m 2 | -7% | -19% | -6% | -1% | N/A | N/A |
| Verapamil sustained-release | 240 mg | -31% | -11% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| aWith verapamil, the dose of WELCHOL was 4.5 g bShould be administered at least 4 hours prior to WELCHOL [See DRUG INTERACTIONS]. cPatients receiving concomitant metformin ER and colesevelam should be monitored for clinical response as is usual for the use of anti-diabetes drugs [See DRUG INTERACTIONS]. dCyclosporine levels should be monitored and, based on theoretical grounds, cyclosporine should be administered at least 4 hours prior to WELCHOL [See DRUG INTERACTIONS]. * Oral contraceptive containing norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol. N/A – Not Available |
|||||||
Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology
Reproductive Toxicology Studies
Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 3 g/kg/day and 1 g/kg/day, respectively (approximately 50 and 17 times the maximum human dose, based on body weight, mg/kg) and have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to colesevelam hydrochloride.
Clinical Studies
Primary Hyperlipidemia
WELCHOL reduces TC, LDL-C, apolipoprotein B (Apo B), and non-HDL-C when administered alone or in combination with a statin in patients with primary hyperlipidemia.
Approximately 1600 patients were studied in 9 clinical trials with treatment durations ranging from 4 to 50 weeks. With the exception of one open-label, uncontrolled, long-term extension study, all studies were multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. A maximum therapeutic response to WELCHOL was achieved within 2 weeks and was maintained during long-term therapy.
Monotherapy
In a study in patients with LDL-C between 130 mg/dL and 220 mg/dL (mean 158 mg/dL), WELCHOL was given for 24 weeks in divided doses with the morning and evening meals.
As shown in Table 6, the mean LDL-C reductions were 15% and 18% at the 3.8 g and 4.5 g doses. The respective mean TC reductions were 7% and 10%. The mean Apo B reductions were 12% in both treatment groups. WELCHOL at both doses increased HDL-C by 3%.
Increases in TG of 9-10% were observed at both WELCHOL doses but the changes were not statistically different from placebo.
Table 6 : Response to WELCHOL Monotherapy in a 24-Week
Trial - Percent Change in Lipid Parameters from Baseline
| Grams/Day | N | TC | LDL-C | Apo B | HDL-Ca | Non-HDL-C | TGa |
| Placebo | 88 | +1 | 0 | 0 | -1 | +1 | +5 |
| 3.8 g (6 tablets) | 95 | -7* | -15* | -12* | * 3 + | -10* | +10 |
| 4.5 g (7 tablets) | 94 | -10* | -18* | -12* | +3 | -13* | +9 |
| *p < 0.05 for lipid parameters
compared to placebo, for Apo B compared to baseline. aMedian % change from baseline. |
|||||||
In a study in 98 patients with LDL-C between 145 mg/dL and 250 mg/dL (mean 169 mg/dL), WELCHOL 3.8 g was given for 6 weeks as a single dose with breakfast, as a single dose with dinner, or as divided doses with breakfast and dinner. The mean LDL-C reductions were 18%, 15%, and 18% for the 3 dosing regimens, respectively. The reductions with these 3 regimens were not statistically different from one another.
Combination Therapy
Co-administration of WELCHOL and a statin (atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin) in 3 clinical studies demonstrated an additive reduction of LDL-C. The mean baseline LDL-C was 184 mg/dL in the atorvastatin study (range 156-236 mg/dL), 171 mg/dL in the lovastatin study (range 115-247 mg/dL), and 188 mg/dL in the simvastatin study (range 148-352 mg/dL). As demonstrated in Table 7, WELCHOL doses of 2.3 g to 3.8 g resulted in an additional 8% to 16% reduction in LDL-C above that seen with the statin alone.
Table 7 : Response to WELCHOL in Combination with
Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, or Lovastatin - Percent Change in Lipid Parameters
| Dose/Day | N | TC | LDL-C | Apo B | HDL-Ca | Non-HDL-C | TGa |
| Atorvastatin Trial (4-week) | |||||||
| Placebo | 19 | +4 | +3 | -3 | +4 | +4 | +10 |
| Atorvastatin 10 mg | 18 | -27* | -38* | -32* | +8 | -35* | -24* |
| WELCHOL 3.8 g/ Atorvastatin 10 mg | 18 | -31* | -48* | -38* | +11 | -40* | -1 |
| Atorvastatin 80 mg | 20 | -39* | -53* | -46* | +6 | -50* | -33* |
| Simvastatin Trial (6-week) | |||||||
| Placebo | 33 | -2 | -4 | 4* | -3 | -2 | +6* |
| Simvastatin 10 mg | 35 | -19* | -26* | -20* | * 3 + | -24* | -17* |
| WELCHOL 3.8 g/ Simvastatin 10 mg | 34 | -28* | -42* | -33* | +10* | -37* | -12* |
| Simvastatin 20 mg | 39 | * 3 2 - | -34* | -26* | +7* | -30* | -12* |
| WELCHOL 2.3 g/ Simvastatin 20 mg | 37 | -29* | -42* | -32* | +4* | -37* | -12* |
| Lovastatin Trial (4-week) | |||||||
| Placebo | 26 | +1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | +1 | +1 |
| Lovastatin 10 mg | 26 | -14* | -22* | -16* | +5 | -19* | 0 |
| WELCHOL 2.3 g/ Lovastatin 10 mg Together | 27 | -21* | -34* | -24* | +4 | -27* | -1 |
| WELCHOL 2.3 g/ Lovastatin 10 mg Apart | 23 | -21* | -32* | -24* | +2 | -28* | -2 |
| *p < 0.05 for lipid parameters
compared to placebo, for Apo B compared to baseline. aMedian % change from baseline. |
|||||||
In all 3 studies, the LDL-C reduction achieved with the combination of WELCHOL and any given dose of statin therapy was statistically superior to that achieved with WELCHOL or that dose of the statin alone. The LDL-C reduction with atorvastatin 80 mg was not statistically significantly different from the combination of WELCHOL 3.8 g and atorvastatin 10 mg.
The effect of WELCHOL when added to fenofibrate was assessed in 122 patients with mixed hyperlipidemia (Fredrickson Type IIb). Inclusion in the study required LDL-C ≥ 115 mg/dL and TG 150 mg/dL to 749 mg/dL. Patients were treated with 160 mg of fenofibrate during an 8-week open-label run-in period and then randomly assigned to receive fenofibrate 160 mg plus either WELCHOL 3.8 g or placebo for 6 weeks of double-blind treatment. The overall mean LDL-C at the start of randomized treatment was 144 mg/dL. The results of the study are summarized in Table 8.
Table 8 : Response to
WELCHOL Added to Fenofibrate in Patients with Mixed Hyperlipidemia (Mean %
Change from Treated Baselineb at 6 Weeks)
| Treatment | N | TC | LDL-C | Apo B | HDL-Ca | Non-HDL-C | TGa |
| Placebo + Fenofibrate 160 mg | 61 | 2 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 | -3 |
| WELCHOL + Fenofibrate 160 mg | 61 | -6* | -10* | -7* | 0 | -8* | 6 |
| * p ≤ 0.0002
compared to placebo. aFor triglycerides, median % change from baseline. bTreated Baseline: following 8-week treatment with open-label fenofibrate 160 mg. |
|||||||
Pediatric Therapy
The safety and efficacy of WELCHOL in pediatric patients were evaluated in an 8-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study followed by an open-label phase, in 194 boys and postmenarchal girls 10-17 years of age (mean age 14.1 years) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH), taking a stable dose of an FDA-approved statin (with LDL-C > 130 mg/dL) or naïve to lipid-lowering therapy (with LDL-C > 160 mg/dL). This study had 3 periods: a single-blind, placebo stabilization period; an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled treatment period; and an 18-week, open-label treatment period. Forty-seven (24%) patients were taking statins and 147 (76%) patients were statin-naïve at screening. The mean baseline LDL-C at Day 1 was approximately 199 mg/dL.
During the double-blind treatment period, patients were assigned randomly to treatment: WELCHOL 3.8 g/day (n=64), WELCHOL 1.9 g/day (n=65), or placebo (n=65). In total, 186 patients completed the double-blind treatment period. After 8 weeks of treatment, WELCHOL 3.8 g/day significantly decreased plasma levels of LDL-C, non-HDL-C, TC, and Apo B and significantly increased HDL-C. A moderate, non-statistically significant increase in TG was observed versus placebo (Table 9).
Table 9 : Response to WELCHOL
3.8 g Compared to Placebo in Pediatric Patients 10-17 Years of Age – Mean
Percent Change in Lipid Parameters from Baseline to Week 8
| Treatment Difference | TC (N=128) |
LDL-C (N=128) |
Apo B (N=128) |
HDL-C (N=124) |
Non-HDL-C (N=128) |
TGa (N=128) |
| WELCHOL 3.8 g vs Placebo | -7* | -13* | -8* | +6* | –11 * | 5 |
| *p ≤ 0.05 for lipid parameters
compared to placebo Values represent LS mean. Only patients with values at both
study baseline and endpoint are included in this table. Study baseline was
defined as the last value measured before or on Day 1 prior to the first dose
of randomized study medication. aFor triglycerides, median % change from baseline. Results were based on the ITT population with LOCF |
||||||
During the open-label treatment period patients were treated with WELCHOL 3.8 g/day. In total, 173 (89%) patients completed 26 weeks of treatment. Results at Week 26 were consistent with those at Week 8.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
WELCHOL has been studied in combination with metformin, sulfonylureas, and insulin. WELCHOL has not been studied as monotherapy.
The efficacy of WELCHOL 3.8 g/day in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was evaluated in 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled add-on therapy trials involving a total of 1018 patients with baseline A1C 7.5-9.5%. Patients were enrolled and maintained on their pre-existing, stable, background anti-diabetic regimen. WELCHOL and placebo were administered either as 3 tablets twice daily with lunch and dinner or as 6 tablets with dinner alone.
In these studies, the overall mean age was 57 years (range 24-81 years), 47% were women, and 59% of the patients were Caucasian, 23% were Hispanic, 14% were Black, 3% were Asian, and 1% were of other racial groups. Statin use at baseline was reported in 42% of the WELCHOL-treated patients and 50% of the placebo-treated patients.
In all 3 pivotal add-on therapy trials, treatment with WELCHOL resulted in a statistically significant reduction in A1C of 0.5% compared to placebo. Similar placebo-corrected reductions in A1C occurred in patients who received WELCHOL in combination with metformin, sulfonylurea, or insulin monotherapy or combinations of these therapies with other anti-diabetic agents. In the metformin and sulfonylurea trials, treatment with WELCHOL also resulted in statistically significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 14 mg/dL compared to placebo.
WELCHOL had consistent effects on A1C across subgroups of age, gender, race, body mass index, and baseline A1C. WELCHOL's effects on A1C were also similar for the two dosing regimens (3 tablets with lunch and with dinner or 6 tablets with dinner alone).
The mean baseline LDL-C was 104 mg/dL in the metformin study (range 32-214 mg/dL), 106 mg/dL in the sulfonylurea study (range 41-264 mg/dL), and 102 mg/dL in the insulin study (range 35-204 mg/dL). In these trials, WELCHOL treatment was associated with a 12% to 16% reduction in LDL-C levels. The percentage decreases in LDL-C were of similar magnitude to those observed in patients with primary hyperlipidemia. WELCHOL treatment was associated with statistically significant increases in TG levels in the studies of patients on insulin and patients on a sulfonylurea, but not in the study of patients on metformin. The clinical significance of these increases is unknown. WELCHOL is contraindicated in patients with TG levels > 500 mg/dL [See CONTRAINDICATIONS] and periodic monitoring of lipid parameters including TG and non-HDL-C levels is recommended [See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Body weight did not significantly increase from baseline with WELCHOL therapy, compared with placebo, in any of the 3 pivotal clinical studies.
Add-on Combination Therapy with Metformin
WELCHOL 3.8 g/day or placebo was added to background anti-diabetic therapy in a 26-week trial of 316 patients already receiving treatment with metformin alone (N=159) or metformin in combination with other oral agents (N=157). A total of 60% of these patients were receiving ≥ 1,500 mg/day of metformin. In combination with metformin, WELCHOL resulted in statistically significant placebo-corrected reductions in A1C and FPG (Table 10). WELCHOL also reduced TC, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C (Table 11). The mean percent change in serum LDL-C levels with WELCHOL compared to placebo was -16% among statin users and statin non-users; the median percent change in serum TG levels with WELCHOL compared to placebo was -2% among statin users and 10% among statin non-users. The mean change in body weight was -0.5 kg for WELCHOL and -0.3 kg for placebo.
Table 10: Glycemic Parameters
in a 26-Week Placebo-Controlled Study of WELCHOL in Combination with Metformin
in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
| Total Patient Population | Metformin Alone | Metformin in Combination with Other Oral Anti-Diabetic Agents | ||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | |
| A1C (%), Mean | ||||||
| N | 148 | 152 | 79 | 76 | 69 | 76 |
| Baseline | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.1 | 8.0 |
| Change from baselinea | -0.4 | 0.2 | -0.4 | 0.0 | -0.4 | 0.3 |
| Treatment difference (p-value) | -0.5 (p < 0.001) | -0.5 (p=0.002) | -0.6 (p < 0.001) | |||
| FPG (mg/dL), Mean | ||||||
| N | 149 | 152 | 79 | 76 | 70 | 76 |
| Baseline | 178 | 174 | 184 | 180 | 171 | 168 |
| Change from baselinea | -3 | 11 | -7 | 8 | 0 | 13 |
| Treatment difference (p-value) | -14 (p=0.01) | -14 (p=0.07) | -14 (p=0.10) | |||
| aLeast-squares mean change calculated from an
Analysis of Covariance model. A1C = hemoglobin A1C, FPG = fasting plasma glucose |
||||||
Table 11 : Percent Change in Lipid Parameters in a
26-Week Placebo-Controlled Study of WELCHOL in Combination with Metformin in
Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
| Dose/Day | N† | TC | LDL-C | Apo B | HDL-C | Non-HDL-C | TGa |
| Total Patient Population | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 125 | _4* | -12* | -4* | 1 | -6* | 12 |
| Placebo | 126 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Metformin Alone | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 66 | -3 | -9 | -2 | 1 | -4 | 15 |
| Placebo | 61 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 4 | 8 |
| Metformin in Combination with Other Oral Anti-diabetic Agents | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 59 | -6* | -15* | -6* | 1 | -7* | 8 |
| Placebo | 65 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
| *p < 0.001 for lipid parameters
compared to placebo (this more stringent criterion for statistical significance
accounts for multiplicity testing of the lipid parameters, which were secondary
endpoints in the diabetes trials) aMedian % change from baseline. †The number of patients with analyzable data, i.e., a baseline and post-treatment value (last-observation carried forward), varied slightly among different parameters. The N given represents the smallest number of patients included in the analysis for any parameter. |
|||||||
Add-on Combination Therapy with Sulfonylurea
WELCHOL 3.8 g/day or placebo was added to background anti-diabetic therapy in a 26-week trial of 460 patients already treated with sulfonylurea alone (N=156) or sulfonylurea in combination with other oral agents (N=304). A
total of 72% of these patients were receiving at least half-maximal doses of sulfonylurea therapy. In combination with a sulfonylurea, WELCHOL resulted in statistically significant placebo-corrected reductions in A1C and FPG (Table 12). WELCHOL also reduced TC, LDL-C, Apo B, and non-HDL-C, but increased serum TG (Table 13). The mean percent change in serum LDL-C levels with WELCHOL compared to placebo was -18% among statin users and -15% among statin non-users; the median percent increase in serum TG with WELCHOL compared to placebo was 29% among statin users and 9% among statin non-users. The mean change in body weight was 0.0 kg for WELCHOL and -0.4 kg for placebo.
Table 12 : Glycemic Parameters in a 26-Week
Placebo-Controlled Study of WELCHOL in Combination with Sulfonylurea in
Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
| Total Patient Population | Sulfonylurea Alone | Sulfonylurea in Combination with Other Oral Anti-diabetic Agents | ||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | |
| A1C (%), Mean | ||||||
| n | 218 | 218 | 69 | 80 | 149 | 138 |
| Baseline | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Change from baselinea | -0.3 | 0.2 | -0.3 | 0.5 | -0.4 | 0.0 |
| Treatment difference (p-value) | -0.5 (p < 0.001) | -0.8 (p < 0.001) | -0.4 (p < 0.001) | |||
| FPG (mg/dL), Mean | ||||||
| n | 218 | 217 | 70 | 80 | 148 | 137 |
| Baseline | 177 | 181 | 181 | 186 | 175 | 178 |
| Change from baselinea | -4 | 10 | 3 | 15 | -11 | 4 |
| Treatment difference (p-value) | -14 (p=0.009) | -12 (p=0.18) | -14 (p=0.03) | |||
| aLeast-squares mean change calculated from an
Analysis of Covariance model. A1C = hemoglobin A1C, FPG = fasting plasma glucose |
||||||
Table 13 : Percent Change in Lipid Parameters in a
26-Week Placebo-Controlled Study of WELCHOL in Combination With Sulfonylurea in
Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
| Dose/Day | N* | TC | LDL-C | Apo B | HDL-C | Non-HDL- C | TGa |
| Total Patient Population | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 186 | -5* | -16* | -6* | 1 | -6* | 20* |
| Placebo | 193 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sulfonylurea Alone | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 57 | -5 | -14* | -5 | -1 | -6 | 17 |
| Placebo | 68 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| Sulfonylurea in Combination with Other Oral Anti-diabetic Agents | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 129 | -5 | -18* | -7* | 1 | -6 | 21* |
| Placebo | 125 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| *p < 0.001 for lipid parameters
compared to placebo (this more stringent criterion for statistical significance
accounts for multiplicity testing of the lipid parameters, which were secondary
endpoints in the diabetes trials) aMedian % change from baseline. † The number of patients with analyzable data, i.e., a baseline and post-treatment value (last-observation carried forward), varied slightly among different parameters. The N given represents the smallest number of patients included in the analysis for any parameter. |
|||||||
Add-on Combination Therapy with Insulin
WELCHOL 3.8 g/day or placebo was added to background anti-diabetic therapy in a 16-week trial of 287 patients already treated with insulin alone (N=116) or insulin in combination with oral agents (N=171). At baseline, the median daily insulin dose was 70 units in the WELCHOL group and 65 units in the placebo group. In combination with insulin, WELCHOL resulted in a statistically significant placebo-corrected reduction in A1C (Table 14). WELCHOL also reduced LDL-C and Apo B, but increased serum TG (Table 15). The mean percent change in serum LDL-C levels with WELCHOL compared to placebo was -13% among statin users and statin non-users; the median percent increase in serum TG levels with WELCHOL compared to placebo was 24% among statin users and 17% among statin non-users. The mean change in body weight was 0.6 kg for WELCHOL and 0.2 kg for placebo.
Table 14 : Glycemic Parameters in a 16-Week Placebo-Controlled
Study of WELCHOL in Combination with Insulin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
| Total Patient Population | Insulin Alone | Insulin in Combination with Oral Anti-diabetic Agents | ||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | WELCHOL 3.8 g/day | Placebo | |
| A1C (%), Mean | ||||||
| n | 144 | 136 | 54 | 55 | 90 | 81 |
| Baseline | 8.3 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Change from baselinea | -0.4 | 0.1 | -0.4 | 0.2 | -0.4 | 0 |
| Treatment difference (p-value) | -0.5 (p < 0.001) | -0.6 (p < 0.001) | -0.4 (p < 0.001) | |||
| FPG (mg/dL), Mean | ||||||
| n | 144 | 136 | 54 | 55 | 90 | 81 |
| Baseline | 165 | 151 | 165 | 163 | 165 | 143 |
| Change from baselinea | 2 | 16 | 8 | 17 | 04 | 14 |
| Treatment difference (p-value) | -15 (p=0.08) | -9 (p=0.51) | -18(p=0.09) | |||
| aLeast-squares mean change calculated from an Analysis of
Covariance model. A1C = hemoglobin A1C, FPG = fasting plasma glucose |
||||||
Table 15 : Percent Change in Lipid Parameters in a 16-Week Placebo-Controlled Study of WELCHOL in
Combination with Insulin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
| Dose/Day | N† | TC | LDL-C | Apo B | HDL-C | Non-HDL- C | TGa |
| Total Patient Cohort | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 129 | -3 | -12* | -4 | -1 | -3 | 23* |
| Placebo | 121 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Insulin Alone | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 46 | -3 | -12 | -5 | 0 | -3 | 19 |
| Placebo | 48 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | -2 |
| Insulin in Combination with Oral Anti-diabetic Agents | |||||||
| WELCHOL 3.8 g | 83 | -4 | -13 | -4 | -1 | -3 | 25* |
| Placebo | 73 | -1 | -3 | 0 | -1 | -1 | 2 |
| *p < 0.001 for lipid parameters
compared to placebo (this more stringent criterion for statistical significance
accounts for multiplicity testing of the lipid parameters, which were secondary
endpoints in the diabetes trials) aMedian % change from baseline. † The number of patients with analyzable data, i.e., a baseline and post-treatment value (last-observation carried forward), varied slightly among different parameters. The N given represents the smallest number of patients included in the analysis for any parameter. |
|||||||
Last reviewed on RxList: 7/24/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
Additional Welchol Information
Welchol - User Reviews
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Cholesterol Management
Tips to keep it under control.






