Colesevelam

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; WelChol

Indicated for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipoproteinemia as an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce LDL-C.

Serum TG concentrations >500 mg/dL

History of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis

History of bowel obstruction

Tablets can cause dysphagia or esophageal obstruction due to size; for patients with difficulty swallowing tablets use oral suspension

May increase serum TG concentrations, hypertriglyceridemia can cause acute pancreatitis

Secondary causes of hyperlipidemia must be ruled out before therapy is initiated

Postmarketing cases of bowel obstruction have occurred; not recommended in gastroparesis (constipating effects); instruct patients to promptly discontinue therapy and seek medical attention if severe abdominal pain or severe constipation occurs

May exacerbate preexisting constipation (initiate therapy at lower dosage in patients with history of constipation)

Seek prompt medical attention if symptoms of acute pancreatitis occur (e.g., severe abdominal pain with or without nausea and vomiting)

Phenylalanine can be harmful to patients with phenylketonuria (PKU); before prescribing oral suspension to a patient with PKU, consider combined daily amount of phenylalanine from all sources, including oral suspension

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of colesevelam hydrochloride use in pregnant women

In the postmarketing setting, there have been reports of pregnancy and a causal association with congenital anomalies has not been established

Not absorbed systemically by mother following oral administration, and breastfeeding is not expected to result in exposure of child to drug