Colesevelam lowers "bad" cholesterol in the blood, which is also called LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Lowering your LDL cholesterol may reduce your risk of hardened arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and circulation problems.

Colesevelam is used to treat high cholesterol in adults and children at least 10 years old.

Colesevelam is sometimes used together with "statin" cholesterol medications such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor, and others.

Colesevelam is also used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Colesevelam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take colesevelam if you have diabetic ketoacidosis, very high triglycerides, a history of bowel obstruction, or a history of pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides.

Colesevelam comes as a tablet, in a chewable bar, and as a powder to be mixed with a liquid to take by mouth. The tablets are usually taken once or twice a day with meals and a beverage. The chewable bars and the powder are usually taken once a day with a meal. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take colesevelam exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you are taking the powder for oral suspension, empty the entire contents of 1 packet into a glass. Add 8 ounces of water, fruit juice, or a diet soft drink. Stir well and drink the entire contents of the glass. It is normal for the contents to appear cloudy and not fully dissolve. Do not take the powder in its dry form.

If you are taking the chewable bars, you should know that the chewable bars contain 80 calories per bar.

Colesevelam controls your condition but does not cure it. Continue to take colesevelam even if you feel well. Do not stop taking colesevelam without talking to your doctor.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take colesevelam with a meal and a full glass of water or other liquid.

You may have to take several tablets at a time each time you take colesevelam. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole.

Colesevelam powder must be mixed with 8 ounces of water, fruit juice, or a diet soft drink. Stir and drink this mixture right away. Add a little more water to the glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

Do not change the dose or timing of any other cholesterol or diabetes medications without your doctor's advice.

You will need frequent blood tests.

Colesevelam is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. You may need to follow a special diet to prevent constipation while using colesevelam. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not take colesevelam if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• very high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in your blood;

• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment);

• a history of bowel obstruction; or

• a history of pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides.

Colesevelam may increase your triglycerides, which can increase your risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure your triglycerides are not too high for you to safely use colesevelam.

Colesevelam is not for use in girls who have not yet started having menstrual periods.

Colesevelam should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• trouble swallowing;

• blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);

• slow digestion;

• surgery on your stomach or intestines; or

• a vitamin A, D, E, or K deficiency.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant.

The powder form of colesevelam may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Take the medicine (with food and a full glass of water) as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. You can also visit the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) website for additional dietary information at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.pdf.

Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or colesevelam will not be as effective.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Colesevelam may cause serious side effects. Stop using colesevelam and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe constipation;

• severe stomach pain; or

• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting.

Common side effects of colesevelam may include:

• constipation;

• nausea; or

• upset stomach.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Colesevelam can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take, which could make those medicines less effective. If you take any of the following medicines, take them 4 hours before you take colesevelam:

• cyclosporine;

• olmesartan;

• phenytoin;

• levothyroxine or other thyroid medication;

• birth control pills;

• multivitamins;

• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or

• oral diabetes medication--chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, or glyburide, tolazamide, tolbutamide.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect colesevelam. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your response to colesevelam.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.