What is Welchol Used For?
Hyperlipidemia: This medication is used to help patients with high cholesterol levels in their bloodstream.
Type-2 diabetes mellitus: This medication also may be prescribed for those with diabetes, although it is only used for type-2 diabetes mellitus and not type-1 or diabetes ketoacidosis. Welchol can assist with glycemic control and can help prevent the risk of serious cardiac events that often come with type-2 diabetes mellitus.
This medication must be used to supplement good dietary and lifestyle choices. If there is not enough “good” cholesterol in the body, or if there are too large amounts of “bad’ cholesterol being put into the body regularly, then removing acid bile does not have any benefit.
Can I Use Welchol for Diarrhea?
While this medication is approved for the use of high cholesterol and diabetes, it has become known as an effective choice for those with bowel conditions causing severe chronic diarrhea.
Many who have irritable bowel syndrome or have had their gallbladders removed have testified that colesevelam has solved painful and uncomfortable defecation that has trifled them for years. If you are experiencing chronic diarrhea as a result of a health condition, you should ask your doctor about Welchol.
Welchol Dosage and drug interactions
Welchol 625 mg tablet is usually taken 6 times a day, with either 6 doses consisting of one tablet, or 3 doses consisting of 2 tablets each time.
This medication can prevent other medications from being properly absorbed into the body. It may be a good idea to take this drugl 4 hours before taking any other medications. Communicate with your doctor about which other prescription medications you are on and whether it is necessary to work around them when taking this prescription drug.
It should always be taken as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. It’s usually considered best time of day to take Welchol after a meal; however, the timing of your doses should be up to personal preference so long as it falls within the dosing guidelines given to you by your doctor.
Welchol Side Effects
The side effects of this medication may include:
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Cold symptoms
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Hypoglycemia (side effect reported in the treatment of type-2 diabetes)
- Flu symptoms
- Nasal congestion
- Hypertension (side effect reported in the treatment of type-2 diabetes)
- Muscle aches
- Vomiting
How to Store
This medication should be kept in a water-resistant container at room temperature. Welchol tablets should not be left exposed to heat, light, or moisture, or else the tablets may become damaged. Tablets that are broken or leaking should be disposed of at your local pharmacy. Do not keep it in the fridge.
Always keep this medication away from the reach or sight of children.
