Welchol or colesevelam hydrochloride, a medication used to lower bad cholesterol level in the blood, along with exercise and proper diet. This decreases the risk of having heart diseases and helps people prevent heart attacks and stoke, also recover glycemic control of people suffering type two diabetes. A polymeric, non-absorbed, glucose and lipid lowering agent designed for oral use.
Colesvelam used to treat people suffering from diabetes- type two, where in it controls high level of blood sugar and prevent blindness, kidney damage, and loss of limbs, sexual function and nerve problems. This is the only and first medication approved by FDA with one active ingredient which proves to lower A1C- blood sugar and cholesterol in adults with high cholesterol and diabetes. This medicine belongs to a class or type of drugs called bile acid-binding resins, made by liver through cholesterol and considered as natural substance. This works by removing and getting rid of bile acid from human body by which it helps to reduce bad cholesterol in the blood. No thorough explanation on it really works in the lowering of blood sugar level.
This should not be given to people who have diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetes type one; it has not been studied to cure all type of diabetes, girls who does not have menstrual period or even children which is younger than 10 years of age. This is only available by prescription since this medication is not design for everyone with history of pancreatitis, intestinal blockage and level of much greater than 500 mg blood triglyceride. This medication is not shown to prevent and treat heart attacks and heart diseases. This should not be taken by women who are breastfeeding, pregnant or even planning to be one. The oral suspension of Welchol must not be taken on its dry form; this is recommended for patients who have complexity in swallowing, talk to your health care provider before using.
The Top 4 Welchol Side Effects
1. Allergic Reaction: even if it’s rare to have serious reaction or allergy from these medicines, it’s still better to seek out medical attention once you notice any symptoms of allergic reaction such as rashes, swelling and itching especially in tongue, trough and face, trouble from breathing and dizziness.
2. Upset stomach and Constipation: In preventing constipation, maintain your diet that is sufficient in exercise, fiber and drinking of plenty of water but if this has worsened talk to your doctor right away.
3. Abdominal and stomach pain, vomiting or nausea, unusual bruising or bleeding, trouble from swallowing, feeling tired, headache, muscle pain, flu symptoms, runny nose, gas, indigestion, anxiety, blurred vision, sold sweats, chills, confusion, congestion, pale and cool skin, fast heart beat, diarrhea, hoarseness, illness or discomfort, nervousness, loss of appetite, joint pain, increase in hunger, muscle pain or ache, nightmares, shakiness, swollen and tender glands in the neck, seizures, slurred speech, voice changes, trouble sleeping, shivering and pounding ears.
4. Incidence which are not known: darkened urine, bleeding after defecation, discomfort in chest, unable to swallow saliva, yellow skin or eyes, uncomfortable swelling around/near the anus.
Some of this may occur but does not medical attention; this may go away while on treatment as the body adjusts to the medicine. A lot of people with this kind of medication do not suffer severe side effects; you should remember that doctors prescribed this medicine to give you higher benefits than the risk of having its side effects. You’re health care specialist will surely advice you on how to prevent and reduce some of this.