Welchol (Colesevelam Tablets)

• It is used to lower cholesterol.
• It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).

• If you have an allergy to colesevelam or any other part of Welchol (colesevelam tablets).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have a bowel block or very high triglycerides.
• If you have any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem or type 1 diabetes.
• If you have ever had any of these health problems: A bowel block or pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides.
• If you have a slow moving GI (gastrointestinal) tract or have had stomach or bowel surgery.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Welchol with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• It may take several weeks to see the full effects.
• Some other drugs may need to be taken at some other time than Welchol. If you take other drugs, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you need to take them at some other time than this medicine.
• This medicine may affect how much of some other drugs are in your body. If you are taking other drugs, talk with your doctor. You may need to have your blood work checked more closely while taking Welchol with your other drugs.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Heartburn.
• Hard stools (constipation).
• Nose or throat irritation.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.