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Are there any interactions with Welchol?

WelChol (generic name colesevelam) is a recently approved drug for lowering blood cholesterol levels. It belongs to a class of drugs called bile acid resins. Other bile acid resins include cholestyramine (brand name >Questran) and colestipol (>Colestid).

WelChol can interfere with sustained-release verapamil (>Calan SR) a drug used to treat high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats. People taking both WelChol and sustained-release verapamil should be monitored closely by their physician. More studies are needed to determine whether WelChol interacts with other medicines.

You should not take WelChol if you have obstructed bowel disease.

Sources:
Donovan, JM. “Drug Interactions with Colesevelam Hydrochloride, a Novel, Potent Lipid-Lowering Agent.” Cardiovascular Drugs Therapeutics. 14(6) 2000.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Sankyo Pharma Inc., Web site: http://www.welchol.com, last accessed 11/7/2006.
WelChol product information, Sankyo Pharma, 2006.

This answer prepared 6/11/2001.
This information updated 1/30/2007.