Colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and diarrhea. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
From the FDA label for Colesevelam Hydrochloride (application ANDA202190). Other colesevelam products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Obtain lipid parameters, including serum triglyceride (TG) levels, before starting colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension ( 2.1 ). • The recommended dosage for adults and for boys and postmenarchal girls aged 10 to 17 years with primary hyperlipidemia is 3.75 grams daily or one 1.875 grams packet twice daily. The recommended dosage for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus is 3.75 grams daily or one 1.875 grams packet twice daily. Colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension should be taken as follows ( 2.2 , 2.4 ): For Oral Suspension Take one 3.75 grams packet once daily or one 1.875 grams packet twice daily with a meal. To prepare, empty the entire contents of one packet into the glass or cup. Add ½ cup to 1 cup of water, fruit juice, or diet soft drinks. Stir well and drink. 2.1 Testing Prior to Initiation of Colesevelam Hydrochloride for Oral Suspension Obtain lipid parameters, including triglyceride (TG) levels, before starting colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension. Colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension is contraindicated in patients with TG levels >500 mg/dL [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage in Primary Hyperlipidemia and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus The recommended dosage of colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension for adults and for boys and postmenarchal…
The following important adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: • Hypertriglyceridemia and Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Gastrointestinal Obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Vitamin K or Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiencies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] In clinical trials, the most common (incidence ≥2% and greater than placebo) adverse reactions with colesevelam hydrochloride included constipation, dyspepsia, and nausea ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA at 1 (888) 721-7115 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Primary Hyperlipidemia In 7 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, 807 patients with primary hyperlipidemia (age range 18 to 86 years, 50% women, 90% Caucasians, 7% Blacks, 2% Hispanics, 1% Asians) and elevated LDL-C were treated with colesevelam hydrochloride 1.5 g/day to 4.5 g/day from 4 to 24 weeks (total exposure 199 patient-years). Table 1: Clinical Studies of Colesevelam Hydrochloride for Primary Hyperlipidemia:…
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Typical price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54/100 | Prescription | Suspension | Generic | $9 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Suspension | Generic | $9 |
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 625 mg | white | oval | — |
| L61 | 625 mg | white | oval | — |
| G433 | 625 mg | white | capsule | — |
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension is contraindicated in patients with: • Serum TG concentrations >500 mg/dL [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • History of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • A history of bowel obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Patients with serum triglyceride levels >500 mg/dL ( 4 ) • Patients with a history of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis ( 4 ) • Patients with a history of bowel obstruction ( 4 )
Concomitant use with colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease the exposure of the following drugs: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., cyclosporine), phenytoin, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, warfarin, oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, olmesartan medoxomil, and sulfonylureas (glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide). Administer these drugs 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. For patients on warfarin, monitor International Normalized Ratio (INR) frequently during initiation then periodically ( 7.1 ). Concomitant use with colesevelam hydrochloride may increase the exposure of the following drugs: Metformin extended release. Monitor patients’ glycemic control ( 7.2 ). 7.1 Colesevelam Hydrochloride Drug Interactions that Decrease the Exposure of the Concomitant Medication Table 4 includes a list of drugs that decrease exposure of the concomitant medication when administered concomitantly with colesevelam hydrochloride and instructions for preventing or managing them. Table 4: Colesevelam Hydrochloride Drug Interactions that Decrease the Exposure of the Concomitant Medication Drugs with a Narrow Therapeutic Index Clinical Impact: Concomitant use with colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease the exposure of the narrow therapeutic index drug. In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in exposure of cyclosporine when…
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