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About Welchol

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About Welchol

Your physician may prescribe Welchol™ (colesevelam HCl) as part of a treatment program to help lower your "bad" cholesterol, known as LDL cholesterol, and/or blood glucose.

Your physician may recommend some lifestyle changes and other medications as well. It is important to always follow your physician's instructions.

This site provides information to help you reach your bad cholesterol and/or blood glucose goals.

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Learn about managing your high LDL cholesterol and/or type 2 diabetes with Welchol.

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The photos on this site depict models, not actual patients or healthcare professionals. The content provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to your doctor for more information about your specific condition.

Important Information About Welchol

Welchol lowers LDL or "bad" cholesterol along with diet and exercise. It can be taken alone or with other cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins.

Welchol, along with diet and exercise, also lowers blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus when added to other antidiabetic medications (metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin).

Ask your doctor if Welchol is right for you.

Welchol is not for everyone, especially those with intestinal blockage, those with blood triglyceride levels of greater than 500 mg/dL, or a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) due to high triglyceride levels.

Welchol has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.

Tell your doctor if you have high triglycerides (greater than 300 mg/dL).

Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal problems, including gastroparesis (when the stomach takes too long to empty its contents), abnormal contractions of the digestive system, major gastrointestinal tract surgery, or if you have trouble swallowing.

Tell your doctor if you have vitamin A, D, E, or K deficiencies.

Welchol has known interactions with glyburide (a drug for diabetes), levothyroxine (a drug used to treat an underactive thyroid) and certain oral contraceptives. Welchol has not been studied with all combinations of drugs and supplements. Please tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you may be taking before beginning Welchol, as your doctor may tell you to take your other medications and supplements 4 hours before taking Welchol.

Remember to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

In patients with high LDL ("bad" cholesterol) side effects that occurred greater than placebo (a "sugar" pill) were constipation (11.0% vs. 7.0%), indigestion (8.3% vs. 3.5%), nausea (4.2% vs. 3.9%), accidental injury (3.7% vs. 2.7%), weakness (3.6% vs. 1.9%), sore throat (3.2% vs. 1.9%), flu-like symptoms (3.2% vs. 3.1%), runny nose (3.2% vs. 3.1%) and muscle aches (2.1% vs. 0.4%).

In patients with Type 2 Diabetes side effects that occurred greater than placebo were constipation (8.7% vs. 2.0%), inflamed nasal passages and throat (4.1% vs. 3.6%), indigestion (3.9% vs. 1.4%), low blood sugar (3.0% vs. 2.3%), nausea (3.0% vs. 1.4%) and high blood pressure (2.8% vs. 1.6%).

This information is intended for U.S. residents only.
© 2008 Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.