Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Welchol
Colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant, a type of medication used to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. It works by binding to bile acids in the intestine, preventing their reabsorption. This forces the liver to use cholesterol to make more bile acids, thereby lowering the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Colesevelam is typically used in conjunction with diet and exercise or in combination with other cholesterol-lowering medications, especially statins, for optimal cholesterol control.
For lowering LDL cholesterol in adults and children 10 years and older with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia.
Outcome:
Decreased levothyroxine absorption
Mechanism:
Binding in the gut
Outcome:
Decreased digoxin absorption
Mechanism:
Binding
Outcome:
Potential decrease in absorption
Mechanism:
Binding to bile acids, which are necessary for fat-soluble vitamin absorption
Most likely new formulation: Controlled-release formulation to improve patient compliance (Year: 2026, 60% confidence)
Based on current usage trends and clinical trial data, there is a low likelihood of any major regulatory changes in the next 2 years (less than 5% chance).
Bile Acid Sequestrant, Hypolipidemic Agent
Polymer