Welchol (colesevelam HCl) 625mg tablets

Manufacturer: GelTex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sankyo Parke-Davis 

Indication(s):  Adjunctive therapy to diet and exercise for the reduction of elevated LDL cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Administration:  The recommended starting dose of Welchol as monotherapy is 3 tablets taken twice per day with meals or 6 tablets taken once a day with a meal. The Welchol dose can be increased up to 7 tablets, if necessary. The recommended dose of Welchol in combination with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) is 3 tablets twice daily or 6 tablets once daily, taken with a meal.

Pharmacology:  Binds to bile acids in the intestine, impeding reabsorption.

WebRx Editorial Notes:  Can be combined with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor for additive reduction of LDL cholesterol.  Most common side effects reported are gastrointestinal such as flatulence, bloating, and constipation.  Colesevelam has minimal effects on HDL cholesterol or triglycerides.

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