colesevelam hydrochloride
Pharmaranks rates Colesevelam Hydrochloride 3.1/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Colesevelam Hydrochloride is a bile acid sequestrant used to treat Coronary Artery Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Diarrhea, Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis.
Bile Acid Sequestrant · by Glenmark Pharms Ltd
Generic of Welchol
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride
- Drug class
- Bile Acid Sequestrant
- Form
- Powder, Tablet
- Strength
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride 1.875GM/PACKET · Colesevelam Hydrochloride 3.75GM/PACKET
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Generic
- Manufacturer
- Glenmark Pharms Ltd
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$8.45 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- ANDA202190
What is Colesevelam Hydrochloride?
From the FDA label:Colesevelam hydrochloride is a non-absorbed, polymeric, lipid-lowering and glucose-lowering agent for oral administration. Colesevelam hydrochloride is a high-capacity bile acid-binding molecule. Colesevelam hydrochloride is poly(allylamine hydrochloride) cross-linked with epichlorohydrin and alkylated with 1-bromodecane and (6-bromohexyl)-trimethylammonium bromide. The chemical name (IUPAC) of colesevelam hydrochloride is allylamine polymer with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane, [6-(allylamino)-hexyl]trimethylammonium chloride and N-allyldecylamine, hydrochloride. The chemical structure of colesevelam hydrochloride is represented by the following formula: wherein (a) represents allyl amine monomer units that have not been alkylated by either of the 1-bromodecane or (6-bromohexyl)-trimethylammonium bromide alkylating agents or cross-linked by epichlorohydrin; (b) represents allyl amine units that have undergone cross-linking with epichlorohydrin; (c) represents allyl amine units that have been alkylated with a decyl group; (d) represents allyl amine units that have been alkylated with a (6-trimethylammonium) hexyl group, and m represents a number ≥ 100 to indicate an extended polymer network. A small amount of the amines are dialkylated and are not depicted in the formula above. No regular order of the groups is implied by the structure; cross-linking and alkylation are expected to…
How to use
Colesevelam Hydrochloride is sold in more than one form (Powder and Tablet), and each is dosed differently. The instructions below come from the FDA label for application ANDA202190 — follow the label that came with the product you were actually 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 girls aged 10 to 17 years with…
Side effects
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:…
Warnings
Important safety information
Hypertriglyceridemia and Pancreatitis: Colesevelam hydrochloride can increase TG. Hypertriglyceridemia can cause acute pancreatitis. Monitor lipids, including TG. Instruct patients to discontinue colesevelam hydrochloride and seek prompt medical attention if the symptoms of acute pancreatitis occur ( 5.1 ). • Gastrointestinal Obstruction: Cases of bowel obstruction have occurred. Colesevelam hydrochloride is not recommended in patients with gastroparesis, other gastrointestinal motility disorders, and in those who have had major gastrointestinal tract surgery and who may be at risk for bowel obstruction ( 5.2 ). • Vitamin K or Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiencies: Colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Patients with a susceptibility to deficiencies of vitamin K (e.g., patients on warfarin, patients with malabsorption syndromes) or other fat-soluble vitamins may be at increased risk. Patients on oral vitamin supplementation should take their vitamins at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride ( 5.3 ). • Drug Interactions: Due to the potential for decreased absorption of other drugs that have not been tested for interaction, consider administering at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride ( 5.4 , 7 , 12.3 ). 5.1 Hypertriglyceridemia and Pancreatitis Colesevelam hydrochloride, like other bile acid sequestrants, can increase serum TG concentrations. Hypertriglyceridemia can cause acute pancreatitis. Colesevelam hydrochloride had effects on serum TG (median increase 5% compared to placebo) in trials of patients with primary hyperlipidemia. In trials in patients with type 2 diabetes, greater increases in TG levels occurred when colesevelam hydrochloride was used as monotherapy (median increase 9.7% compared to placebo) and when colesevelam hydrochloride was used in combination with pioglitazone (median increase 11% compared to placebo in combination with pioglitazone), sulfonylureas (median increase 18% compared to placebo in combination with sulfonylureas), and insulin (median increase 22% compared to placebo in combination with insulin) [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Obtain lipid parameters, including TG levels, before starting colesevelam hydrochloride and periodically thereafter. Colesevelam hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients with TG levels >500 mg/dL or patients with a history of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Patients with TG levels greater than 300 mg/dL could have greater increases in serum TG levels with colesevelam hydrochloride and may require additional TG monitoring. Instruct patients to discontinue colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension and seek prompt medical attention if the symptoms of acute pancreatitis occur (e.g., severe abdominal pain with or without nausea and vomiting). Discontinue colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension if TG levels exceed 500 mg/dL [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. 5.2 Gastrointestinal Obstruction Postmarketing cases of bowel obstruction have occurred with colesevelam hydrochloride [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Because of its constipating effects, colesevelam hydrochloride is not recommended in patients with gastroparesis, other gastrointestinal motility disorders, and in those who have had major gastrointestinal tract surgery and who may be at risk for bowel obstruction. Colesevelam hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients with a history of bowel obstruction [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Instruct patients to promptly discontinue colesevelam hydrochloride and seek medical attention if severe abdominal pain or severe constipation occurs. Because of the tablet size, colesevelam hydrochloride tablets can cause dysphagia or esophageal obstruction. For patients with difficulty swallowing tablets, use colesevelam hydrochloride for oral suspension. 5.3 Vitamin K or Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiencies Colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Patients with a susceptibility to deficiencies of vitamin K (e.g., patients on warfarin, patients with malabsorption syndromes) or other fat-soluble vitamins may be at increased risk when taking colesevelam hydrochloride. Patients on oral vitamin supplementation should take their vitamins at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . 5.4 Drug Interactions Colesevelam hydrochloride reduces gastrointestinal absorption of some drugs. Administer drugs with a known interaction at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )] . Due to the potential for decreased absorption of other drugs that have not been tested for interaction, especially those with a narrow therapeutic index, consider administering at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].
Who should not take Colesevelam Hydrochloride
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 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Colesevelam hydrochloride is not absorbed and the risk of systemic toxicity is low. Excessive doses of colesevelam hydrochloride may cause more severe local gastrointestinal effects (e.g., constipation).
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
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 coadministered with colesevelam hydrochloride [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Intervention: Administer the narrow therapeutic index drug at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. Monitor drug levels when appropriate. Examples: Cyclosporine Phenytoin Clinical Impact: There have been postmarketing reports of increased seizure activity or decreased phenytoin levels in patients receiving phenytoin [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. Intervention: Administer phenytoin 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy Clinical Impact: In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in exposure of levothyroxine when coadministered with colesevelam hydrochloride [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. There have been postmarketing reports of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients receiving thyroid hormone replacement therapy [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. Intervention: Administer thyroid hormone replacement therapy 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. Warfarin Clinical Impact: There have been postmarketing reports of reduced INR in patients receiving warfarin therapy [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. Intervention: Monitor INR frequently during colesevelam hydrochloride initiation then periodically thereafter. Oral Contraceptives Containing Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone Clinical Impact: In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in exposure of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone when coadministered with colesevelam hydrochloride [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Intervention : Administer oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. Olmesartan Medoxomil Clinical Impact: In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in olmesartan medoxomil when coadministered with colesevelam hydrochloride [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Intervention: Administer olmesartan medoxomil 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. Sulfonylureas Clinical Impact: In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in sulfonylureas when coadministered with colesevelam hydrochloride [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Intervention: Administer sulfonylureas 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. Examples: Glimepiride, glipizide, and glyburide Oral Vitamin Supplements Clinical Impact: Colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Intervention: Patients on oral vitamin supplementation should take their vitamins at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. 7.2 Colesevelam Hydrochloride Drug Interactions that Increase the Exposure of the Concomitant Medication Table 5: Colesevelam Hydrochloride Drug Interactions that Increase the Exposure of the Concomitant Medication Metformin Extended-Release (ER) Clinical Impact: In vivo drug interactions studies showed an increase in metformin extended release (ER) when coadministered with colesevelam hydrochloride [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Intervention: Monitor patients’ glycemic control.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
- coronary artery disease
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
- diarrhea
- pseudomembranous enterocolitis
- hypercholesterolemia
- hyperlipoproteinemias
See how Colesevelam Hydrochloride ranks — best-rated bile acid sequestrant for:
Dosage forms
Powder and Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Colesevelam Hydrochloride treat?
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride (Colesevelam Hydrochloride) may be used to treat coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, pseudomembranous enterocolitis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipoproteinemias, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How is Colesevelam Hydrochloride rated?
- pharmaranks gives Colesevelam Hydrochloride a composite score of 3.1 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Colesevelam Hydrochloride cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $8.45 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Colesevelam Hydrochloride?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Colesevelam Hydrochloride. To pay less, Colesevelam Hydrochloride is already a generic — usually the lowest-cost version — so the main levers are comparing cash prices between pharmacies and using a pharmacy discount-card service. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Colesevelam Hydrochloride?
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride is marketed by Glenmark Pharms Ltd. You can see Glenmark Pharms Ltd's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Colesevelam Hydrochloride a brand-name or generic drug?
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride is a generic medication; its active ingredient is Colesevelam Hydrochloride. Generics contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name original and are usually lower cost.
- Is Colesevelam Hydrochloride available over the counter?
- No. Colesevelam Hydrochloride is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Colesevelam Hydrochloride come in?
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride is currently marketed as powder and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Colesevelam Hydrochloride?
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride is classified as bile acid sequestrant, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Colesevelam Hydrochloride FDA-registered?
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA202190. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Colesevelam Hydrochloride been recalled by the FDA?
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Colesevelam Hydrochloride safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Colesevelam Hydrochloride a recall-safety score of 62/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Colesevelam Hydrochloride?
- Colesevelam Hydrochloride's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: 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 Warni… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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