Welchol

Welchol is used for:

Reducing high cholesterol levels. It may be used alone or with other medicines, in addition to diet and exercise. It is also used along with other medicines to control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Welchol is a bile acid sequestrant. It works by increasing the removal of bile acids from the body. As the body loses bile acids, it replaces them by converting cholesterol from the blood to bile acids. This causes the blood level of cholesterol to decrease.

Use Welchol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

* Take Welchol by mouth with plenty of fluids and a meal.

* If you also take glyburide, birth control pills, phenytoin, or thyroid hormone replacements (eg, levothyroxine), take them at least 4 hours before you take Welchol

* Continue to take Welchol even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

* If you miss a dose of Welchol , take it with a liquid at your next meal. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Welchol .

* Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.

* Diabetes patients - Be sure to test your blood sugar regularly as directed by your health care provider.

* It may take several weeks for Welchol to begin working.

* If Welchol causes constipation, check with your doctor or pharmacist for ways to lessen this effect.

* Diabetes patients - Welchol may cause low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your heart beat faster; make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. It is a good idea to carry a reliable source of glucose (eg, tablets or gel) to treat low blood sugar. If this is not available, you should eat or drink a quick source of sugar like table sugar, honey, candy, orange juice, or non-diet soda. This will raise your blood sugar level quickly. Tell your doctor right away if this happens. To prevent low blood sugar, eat meals at the same time each day and do not skip meals.

* Lab tests, including a lipid profile, may be performed while you use Welchol . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

* Welchol should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

* PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Welchol while you are pregnant. It is not known if Welchol is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Welchol , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Store Welchol at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Welchol out of the reach of children and away from pets.