Colesevelam is effective at lowering high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes and lowering LDL cholesterol in patients with high blood cholesterol. Though less common, patients also buy colesevelam for off-label use in treating chronic diarrhea, such as in Crohn's disease, post-cholecystectomy syndrome, or bile acid diarrhea. Treatment is remarkably similar in all conditions.

Colesevelam reduces LDL cholesterol by reducing bile production, facilitating conversion of LDL into bile. The precise mechanism by which Welchol helps manage blood glucose levels is not clearly understood.

Type 1 diabetics can use this medication to lower cholesterol, though this is best done under supervision of a doctor. Patients should not buy colesevelam to manage type 1 diabetes; it will not provide significant benefit.

What to Expect from Treatment

The medication is most often administered by tablet, but it's only possible to buy colesevelam tablets in one strength---625 mg. Patients who need adjusted doses, such as children or patients with other major medical conditions, may need to have a customized oral suspension prepared by a pharmacist.

As mentioned above, in otherwise healthy adults treatment is very similar in all conditions colesevelam treats:

• Take 6 tablets a day, either all in one dose or 3 tablets twice a day.
• Take with a meal and a full glass of fluid.
• If a dose is missed for more than a few hours, it should be skipped completely. Do not take a double dose to compensate.

It will take 4 to 6 weeks for full effects to be appreciated in all conditions; as long as no serious side effects occur, treatment should continue for at least that long before deciding if the medication is useful or not.

In hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes patients are strongly advised to incorporate lifestyle changes into treatment as well, such as dietary changes, losing weight, quitting smoking and so forth. Lifestyle changes can, in many cases, eventually lead to discontinuation of medications, though this will take some time. In the interim medications like colesevelam help slow the progression of the conditions and minimize complications, which can be severe---even fatal---if diabetes or hyperlipidemia are not controlled.

Adverse Effects

Side effects from colesevelam are not unusual, but are typically mild and not cause for concern unless severe enough to be disruptive to daily life. Often they will stop occurring as the body adjusts to treatment and cholesterol and/or glucose levels stabilize. The most commonly reported side effects include:

• Flatulence
• Constipation
• Hard stools
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Abdominal pain

Colesevelam is known to interact with some other medications; of particular concern are anticonvulsants, blood thinners, and some thyroid medications. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing medications or modifying doses.

A Pharmacy at your Fingertips

Kiwi Drug is New Zealand's oldest and most trusted online pharmacy. Our world-class customer care and expedited ordering system ensures the purchasing process is discreet, fast, and hassle-free from any location. We utilize state-of-the-art security software to ensure you data is kept safe, and we will never share your information with any third parties.

We are an authentic pharmacy, and as such clients will need a prescription to buy colesevelam. Our online doctor can issue a prescription at no additional charge for patients who don't have one. To get started, simply add the product to your cart and initiate checkout; you'll be asked a series of questions about your medical history and other medications being taken.

Clients who already have a prescription to buy colesevelam will be given instructions to transfer it to us after completing checkout.

If you have any questions or need help with your order, please don't hesitate to let us know---help is just a click away!