COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE 625 mg/1 (Colesevelam Hydrochloride TABLET, FILM COATED) 625 mg/1

COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE is a bile acid sequestrant used to manage cholesterol levels and blood sugar.

• Primary hypercholesterolemia: Reduces elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
• Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: Helps manage inherited high cholesterol.
• Hyperlipidemia: Lowers levels of fats in the blood.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus: Improves glycemic control as an adjunct to diet and exercise.

• Colesevelam Hydrochloride works by binding to bile acids in the intestine, preventing their reabsorption. This process increases the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids, thereby lowering LDL cholesterol levels and modestly improving glycemic control.

COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE may cause several side effects, ranging from mild to serious.

Common Side Effects

• Constipation
• Indigestion and upset stomach
• Nausea
• Runny nose, sore throat, and other respiratory symptoms
• Muscle aches

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Pancreatitis: Severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, with or without nausea and vomiting.
• Bowel obstruction: Symptoms include inability to pass gas or stool and a hard, swollen abdomen.
• Vitamin deficiency: May interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.

COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE should be used with caution and under medical supervision.

• Dosage timing: Take each dose with a meal and 8 ounces of liquid to ensure proper movement through the digestive system.
• Hypertriglyceridemia: Avoid in patients with high triglyceride levels as it may cause further increases.
• Bowel obstruction: Use with caution in patients with a history of bowel surgery or severe constipation.
• Vitamin deficiency: Take multivitamins and supplements containing fat-soluble vitamins at least 4 hours before taking COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE.
• Store below 25°C: Keep in the original pack, protect from moisture.

COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE may interact with other medications, requiring careful monitoring or dosage adjustments.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Blood thinners: Can affect levels of blood thinners like warfarin, necessitating more frequent blood monitoring.
• Thyroid medications: May bind to levothyroxine and other thyroid hormones, leading to hypothyroidism if doses are not separated.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Vitamins: Take multivitamins and supplements containing fat-soluble vitamins at least 4 hours before taking COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE.
• Oral birth control: May lose effectiveness if taken too close to a COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE dose.
• Diabetes medications: May interfere with the absorption of diabetes medications like glimepiride and glipizide.