Welchol (Colesevelam Hcl) Drug Overview and Uses for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Welchol

Heart Attack »

Heart attack facts

A heart attack results when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle and heart muscle dies.
The blood clot that causes the heart attack usually forms at the site of rupture of an atherosclerotic, cholesterol plaque on the inner wall of a coronary artery.
The most common symptom of heart attack is chest pain.
The most common complications of a heart attack are heart failure and ventricular fibrillation.
The risk factors for atherosclerosis and heart attack include elevated cholesterol levels, increased blood pressure, tobacco use, diabetes, male gender, and a family history of heart attacks at an early age.
Heart attacks are diagnosed with electrocardiograms and measurement of cardiac enzymes in blood.
Early reopening of blocked coronary arteries reduces the amount of damage to the heart and im...

Read the Heart Attack article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Welchol User Reviews >>

Welchol

Cholesterol Levels Slideshow Pictures

Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow Pictures

Take the Cholesterol Quiz

font size

Welchol Consumer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

COLESEVELAM - ORAL

(KOE-le-SEV-e-lam)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Welchol

USES: This medication is used along with a proper diet and exercise to lower cholesterol in people with high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Lowering cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Colesevelam is also used along with a proper diet and exercise to lower high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Colesevelam belongs to a class of drugs called bile acid-binding resins. Bile acid is a natural substance the liver makes by using cholesterol. This medication works by removing bile acid from the body. This causes the liver to make more bile acid by using cholesterol, which reduces cholesterol levels in the blood. It is not known how colesevelam works in lowering blood sugar.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with a meal, usually 1 to 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Take the tablet form with a liquid (such as water, milk).

If you are using the powder form of this medication, pour the contents of one packet into a glass. Add one-half to one cup (4 to 8 ounces or 120 to 240 milliliters) of water. Stir the mixture well and drink. Do not take the powder without mixing in water.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.

It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Colesevelam may decrease the absorption of other products you may be taking. Some examples include cyclosporine, glyburide, levothyroxine, and phenytoin, as well as birth control pills that contain ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Take these other medications at least 4 hours before taking your colesevelam dose. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure when to take your medications.