WELCHOL

Drug Name: WELCHOL

WELCHOL DESCRIPTION:
COLESEVELAM - ORAL (koh-leh-SEVV-eh-lam)

COMMON WELCHOL BRAND NAME(S):
Welchol

WELCHOL SIDE EFFECTS:
Constipation, nausea, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, or headache may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these serious side effects: muscle pain, unusual weakness, stomach pain. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE WELCHOL:
WELCHOL: Take WELCHOL by mouth, with plenty of water, along with a meal. WELCHOL is usually taken once or twice daily. Your dosage is based on your condition and response to therapy. It may take a few weeks before the full effects of this medication are noticed.

WELCHOL USES:
WELCHOL is used alone, or in combination with another medication, to treat high cholesterol levels in the blood (primary hypercholesterolemia). It is recommended that this medication be used along with an exercise program and a low- cholesterol, low-fat diet. Reducing cholesterol helps prevent stroke and heart attacks.

WELCHOL PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of any allergies, bowel problems (obstructions), high fat levels in the blood (triglycerides greater than 300mg/dl), bleeding problems, difficulty swallowing or any stomach problems (e.g., surgeries, motility disorders). WELCHOL should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether WELCHOL passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using WELCHOL is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

WELCHOL DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially other cholesterol-lowering medication, vitamin products, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), or verapamil. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

WELCHOL OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

WELCHOL NOTES:
Do not share WELCHOL with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests will be performed to monitor your progress. Know what your cholesterol level is and understand what it means. Your doctor, pharmacist or nutritionist can provide you with more information.

MISSED WELCHOL DOSE:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

WELCHOL STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 36 and 86 degrees F (2 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.