Colesevelam: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Colesevelam What Medicine?

What is colesevelam for?

Colesevelam is a cholesterol-lowering drug. This medication is used in conjunction with a good diet and exercise to lower cholesterol in people who have high cholesterol levels. Lowering cholesterol helps reduce the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Colesevelam is a drug that is also used together with a diet and exercise that is suitable for lowering blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nervous disorders, loss of limbs, and sexual dysfunction..

Colesevelam is a drug that belongs to a class of medicines called bile acid-binding resins (bile acid binding resin). Bile acids are natural substances that the liver produces using cholesterol. This drug works by removing bile acids from the body. This causes the liver to produce more bile acids with cholesterol, which then lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood. How colesevelam works to lower blood sugar is unknown.

Colesevelam dosage

How to use Colesevelam?

Take this medication by mouth at meal times, usually 1 to 2 times a day or as recommended by your doctor. Take tablets with fluids (such as water, milk). If you have difficulty swallowing the tablets, consult your doctor about switching them to the powder form of this medicine.

If you are using the powder form of this medication, pour the contents of one package into a glass. Add half to one glass of water (120-240ml). Stir the mixture well and drink. Don't use powder without mixing it with liquid first.

Use this remedy regularly to get the desired results. To help you remember, drink it at the same time each day. It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Colesevelam is a drug that might decrease the absorption of other products you are using. Such as cyclosporine, glipizide, glimepiride, glyburide, levothyroxine, and phenytoin, as well as birth control pills containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Use other medications as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 4 hours after you use colesevelam. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure when to use your medicines.

How to store this drug?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Colesevelam side effects

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the colesevelam dosage for adults?

Dosage for hyperlipoproteinemia type IIa (elevated LDL):

Monotherapy or combination therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor: initial dose: 1875 mg (3 tablets) orally twice a day at meal times or 3750 mg (6 tablets) orally once a day at meal times.

The recommended colesevelam dose for oral suspension is one packet of 3.75 grams once a day or one packet of 1.875 grams twice daily (mixed with 120-240 ml of water)

Dosage for type 2 diabetes:

• Tablets at a dose of 1875g (3 tablets), taken twice a day at meal times or 3750 mg (6 tablets) orally once a day at meal times.
• Oral suspension: the recommended dose of oral suspension is 1 packet 3.75 grams once a day or one package 1.875 grams twice a day (mixed with 120-240 ml water)

What is the Colesevelam dosage for children?

Age 10-17 years:

• Tablets: 1875 mg twice daily or 3750 mg daily at mealtimes
• Oral suspension: 1 packet 3.75 grams once a day or one packet 1.875 grams twice a day (mixed with 120-240 ml water)

In what dosage form is Colesevelam available?

Colesevelam is a drug that is available in 625 mg tablets and suspension.

Colesevelam Drug Warnings and Cautions

What side effects can be experienced due to colesevelam?

Colesevelam is a drug that can cause side effects. Seek emergency help immediately if you experience the following signs of an allergic reaction; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using colesevelam and contact your doctor immediately if you experience constipation or severe stomach pain.

Milder side effects that can be caused by colesevelam drugs are:

• mild constipation
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas, indigestion
• feeling weak or tired
• headache
• muscle ache
• runny nose, sore throat, or flu symptoms

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Colesevelam Drug Interactions

What should be known before using Colesevelam?

When deciding to use colosevelam drugs, the risks and benefits of using the drug must be considered. This is a decision made by you and your doctor. The following should be considered for this drug:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic or unusual reaction when using this medicine or other medicines. Tell your health care provider if you have any other allergies such as food allergies, food coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the ingredients on the packaging.

Children

Research that has been conducted to date has not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the benefits of using colesevelam to lower high cholesterol in children aged 10 years and over. However, the safety and effectiveness of colesevelam in children less than 10 years of age have not been established.

Elderly

Research that has been conducted to date has not shown any specific problems in the elderly that will limit the benefits of using colesevelam in the elderly.

Is colesevelam safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in America.

The following references for pregnancy risk categories according to the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in America are:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Colesevelam overdose

What medicines may interact with colesevelam?

Although certain drugs are not recommended to be used together, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even though drug interactions may occur. In these cases, your doctor may change the dose, or other precautions need to be taken. Tell your health care provider if you are using other prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Use of this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If the two drugs are prescribed together, the doctor may change the dose or how often one or both drugs are used.

• Mycophenolate Mofetil
• Mycophenolic Acid
• Pravastatin

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may increase your risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, the doctor may change the dose or how often one or both drugs are used.

• Cholic Acid
• Cyclosporine
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol Cypionate
• Estradiol Valerate
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol Diacetate
• Etonogestrel
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Glyburide
• Levonorgestrel
• Levothyroxine
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
• Mestranol
• Metformin
• Norelgestromin
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Olmesartan Medoxomil
• Phenytoin
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with colesevelam?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with colesevelam?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

• blockage of the digestive tract, or a history of blockage of the digestive tract
• severe hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides or fatty acids in the blood)
• pancreatitis caused by hypertriglyceridemia, or a history of it — should not be used in patients with this condition
• diabetic ketoacidosis (ketones and high acids in the blood)
• type 1 diabetes — should not be used in patients with this condition. Your doctor must administer insulin to treat this condition
• dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• esophageal blockage (problems with swallowing)
• deficient vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, or K) - use with caution. Can make this condition worse.
• gastrointestinal motility disorders (eg, chronic constipation)
• gastrointestinal surgery, major and recently performed (eg, colonostomy)
• gastroparesis (slow moving intestine)
• malabsorption syndrome (food not absorbed in the stomach or intestines) - may worsen side effects
• phenylketonuria (PKU) - an oral suspension powder containing phenylalanine, which can worsen this condition

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.