What is colesevelam?
Colesevelam is a cholesterol-lowering medicine that works in the gut. It belongs to a class called bile-acid sequestrants. These drugs bind bile acids in the intestines so they can’t be reabsorbed, which lowers blood cholesterol levels over time [1].
What is it used for?
Colesevelam is used to treat high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). In some cases, it may also be used as part of diabetes care because it can help improve blood sugar control, particularly by affecting bile acids involved in glucose metabolism [1].
How does colesevelam work?
After the liver makes bile acids to help digest fats, the body normally reabsorbs many of those bile acids in the intestines and reuses them. Colesevelam binds to bile acids in the gut, reducing reabsorption. The liver then uses more cholesterol to make new bile acids, which helps lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream [1].
How is colesevelam taken?
Colesevelam is typically taken by mouth. It is often available as a powder that is mixed with liquid, then taken as directed by a clinician (exact instructions depend on the product and formulation) [1].
What side effects are people concerned about?
Because colesevelam acts in the digestive tract, common side effects are usually gastrointestinal, such as constipation, bloating, or nausea. It can also affect absorption of other medicines, so dosing schedules may need to be separated from other drugs [1].
Does it interact with other medications?
Yes. Since colesevelam binds bile acids in the intestines, it can also reduce absorption of certain medications taken at the same time. Clinicians often advise spacing doses of other drugs away from colesevelam to prevent reduced effectiveness [1].
Sources
[1] https://www.drugs.com/colesevelam.html