Colesevelam User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• cur...
• December 28, 2009

Colesevelam for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL "Only been taking it for about a month for high cholesterol. I have problems with the statins. So far, Welchol has been pretty low on the side effects. I have only noticed some minor constipation if I do not take enough liquids."

• Mag...
• March 31, 2021

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Been on Colesevelam for over a year. Was helping diarrhea, but recently I increased from 2 tablets to 3 since I am getting bouts of diarrhea again. I am not sure why this is happening. I need to see my doctor and hope he has an answer for me."

• Tis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2019

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I wanted to reply to GFgal. I have gone through a lot as well. It was bad for about 10 years (I am so sorry you’re going through this at only 21, I can’t even imagine). Then I got my gallbladder out. After that, I couldn’t really leave the house. But then I found my doctor, and he put me on colesevelam, and it changed my life. He also put me on the 650 mg tabs and started me at 2 at bedtime, then told me that I could take up to 6 until it worked. So I think it might be normal. How is it working for you? I hope it’s helping you!!!! Tisha, March 28, 2019"

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2016

For Diarrhea, Chronic "This drug is a lifesaver for me as I have been diagnosed with SeHCAT, that I have idiopathic severe bile acid malabsorption. We're talking decades of severe diarrhea daily, and being dismissed as an 'it's all in the mind, non-compliant patient' type. My only issue is that since taking it, I've started tinnitus. However, I'm hoping that a new med will come out shortly or trying to take less will help manage that, as it's a very difficult thing to live with."

• Mot...
• November 8, 2016

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I've always had issues with going, but I had my gallbladder out in 2008. Since then, I've been getting worse and worse. I went to three different doctors who diagnosed me with IBS-D and sent me home, saying take a prebiotic. Finally, I found a doctor early this year. He was determined to help me. I was always late to work, and as soon as I got there, I was in the bathroom. I went to the bathroom in excess of ten times a day on a good day. I had to carry a change of clothes to work because I had frequent accidents. And my belly pain was so bad I felt as though I would fall unconscious. My doctor referred me to a specialist, and he put me on four pills once a day. I still go to the bathroom like four times a day, but it's given me back my life!"

• Cma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2023

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Chemo and radiation damage caused my problem. Had gallbladder removed in '92, no problems. Occasionally, spells of constipation were my problem. In 2010, I was diagnosed with anal cancer and during treatment, "Hell" began. Taking a sip of water caused instant diarrhea. Nothing helped to stop it. Things did improve, but like the others, I was always running to the bathroom. I felt housebound. I always had to make up excuses not to go out. Not until July 2023 did my GI doctor prescribe 625 mg of generic Welchol after I had researched my symptoms and came across bile malabsorption. (I can only afford the generic) Bingo, I finally can feel confident to socialize. I take 1-2 pills a day and that works for me. I know coffee and high-fat foods are triggers, so if I need to increase the dosage, I will. I will follow up with my doctor this week to discuss the best dosage. This medication has worked a miracle for me. I can't believe I suffered with it for 13 years. Much luck to all!"

• gra...
• July 22, 2016

For Diarrhea, Chronic "In 2001, I had my gallbladder removed. And since then, I have had chronic diarrhea. I would spend 12 hours with explosive diarrhea. It made my life miserable. I didn't know when I could leave the house. The delayed gastric emptying and the chronic diarrhea prompted me to start taking the drug Welchol. And I feel so good. I have had to change my eating habits. Foods that I have loved, I cannot eat anymore. I can accept that, so I am no longer miserable. Maybe I can start exercising and lose weight."

• Ski...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2022

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I’ve literally been taking colesevelam for 2 weeks. And it’s working amazingly well. I have Crohn's and had 2 small bowel resections. I have just been diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption (BAM), and life was pretty miserable. I’m a runner too, so I had to dive into bushes."

• LAW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2020

For Diarrhea, Chronic "If I take it morning and night as directed. I get bound up, so then I stop taking it and ruin my underwear as I can't make it to the bathroom. Then I take it again, and it takes forever to help me. I am either bound up or ruining my clothes. Imodium doesn't touch me."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2021

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Had a hysterectomy for cervical cancer in '93, followed by 6 weeks of radiation. In '94, got a bowel obstruction, which required 3 feet of small intestine to be removed. Been suffering with chronic diarrhea since 1994. Had to retire from job. Didn't go out much, especially in the morning. Going to grocery stores made me nervous in case of having an accident. New GI prescribed Welchol, and I seriously feel my diarrhea symptoms have improved! 3 tabs in the morning after breakfast. Feeling almost normal again!"

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2022

Colesevelam for High Cholesterol "Was taking Welchol with Zetia because I could not take statins due to multiple bowel movements and subsequent weight loss. This was not diarrhea but fully formed bowel movements. I was initially on Zetia, which helped lower my LDL, but my cardiologist wanted to lower my LDL even more, so he added Welchol. I didn't realize it, but when it was added, I started to lose weight again. I know this is unusual."

• Swi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2018

Colesevelam for High Cholesterol "My doctor prescribed this in powder form for my cholesterol and triglycerides. I am unable to take statins due to extreme muscle pain and weakness. This has got to be the most disgusting form of medication I have ever had. It says don’t take the powder without mixing it with liquid, however, the medication will not completely mix with anything I have tried. It also leaves my mouth feeling like it's turning inside out. The worst is a sensation that it is stuck in my throat. I haven’t taken it long enough to know if it is effective and may ask for the pill form."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

Colesevelam for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL "The side effects of Welchol were terrible-constipation, nausea, and back pain. My doctor recommended taking one tablet every other day at suppertime. This did not work. I still suffered constipation, nausea, and stomach cramps. When I vomited, I decided to stop taking this medication. My symptoms went away, thankfully."

• SIB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 31, 2023

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Not all Colesevelams are created equal! I have been on Bionpharma's version for a year, which has been life-changing. My pharmacy filled the last one with Colesevelam manufactured by Cosette. I knew it was a different manufacturer within one hour of taking the medication as it is completely ineffective at alleviating my symptoms. I am exactly the same on Cosette's version of the medication as I am without taking any. Bionpharma's version, on the other hand, is a game-changer. If you are taking this med or prescribed and feel it is ineffective, I encourage you to try the Bionpharma version!"

• Ret...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2020

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I started taking 1 generic Welchol in 2013 for chronic diarrhea after gallbladder removal. It was wonderful until it stopped working in 18 months. I went to 2 pills, 1 in the morning and 1 at night. It was great for 18 months! I had 2 colonoscopies. Nothing there. I have an appointment to talk to the doctor again. I’m tired of this."

• gal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2021

For Diarrhea, Chronic "After my GP, doing all tests under the sun, they found out my percentage of bile leaking and having a bad reaction, plus epileptic. I had to pay privately, my doctor, aka higher than GP, would not give me this. Then when he did - bingo, no more running to the toilet, can now meet a friend without worrying."

• Leo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 25, 2024

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I’ve been using colesevelam for just over a year now as I have Crohn’s disease, and I can honestly say this has been a miracle for chronic diarrhea. Like wow, before being on this medication, I was going to the toilet at least 10 times a day, and now I have somewhat normal bowel habits. Although it only masks the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, it doesn’t affect the disease itself, so damage is still being done and flares will come back no matter what you're taking, so please seek other meds alongside this."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2024

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Long story short: I love this medication, it works most of the time, and I have no side effects. Recommendation: I take one at night and one in the morning. If I take them both at the same time, they do not work as well. Short story long: I was diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis and go through periods where I have flare-ups for days, weeks, or months. During a flare-up, I take budesonide, but budesonide can take a while to reduce inflammation enough to see a reduction in symptoms. During one particularly bad flare-up, I wound up in the ER with severe dehydration, and the ER doctor prescribed me Welchol, and within a couple of days, I saw a huge improvement. I have been on it for 5 months, and while it is not a perfect cure-all for me and I have had symptoms occasionally while on it (due to the severity of my condition, no fault of the medication), it has helped immensely."

• Che...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 2, 2021

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Excellent for worldwide travel for the last 15 years. Traveled for business from New Zealand to India to China and everywhere in between. Lived in Hong Kong. Had many bouts of food poisoning and other stomach upsets. Welchol was my absolute savior. Even now, wouldn't travel without it! Also have IBD... it controls it perfectly."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2021

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I owe my quality of life to this medication. I had my gallbladder out, and since then, I have experienced dumping syndrome, which, if you know, is no fun at all. I could not eat anything without extreme nausea, cramping, and near-constant diarrhea. I take this medication before I eat, sometimes in the middle of a meal if I have forgotten, and it has absolutely changed my life. In just one day, I am completely back to normal. I was wondering what my quality of life was going to be before I found this medication, now I know it’s going to be great!!"

• BTa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 27, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Well, it did help lower cholesterol, was over 200, went to 160s, and was pretty consistent. Then I read about walnuts and started eating a few every day, and within 6 months, it dropped to 41. Then I started getting colesevelam, and since then, nothing but gas, constipation, very bad acid, and tired all the time. Stopped using, and within a couple of days, everything got better. Then started taking again, and almost immediately, the side effects started. I'm thinking the generic is a little different than Welchol. Will discuss with the doctor. Walnuts, no side effects, and much lower cholesterol."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 24, 2023

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Used for 1 1/2 years, 6 pills a day (3 with each meal). I had struggled with chronic diarrhea for years. This drug worked great, and I too felt like I had a life again. Recently, diarrhea has begun all over again with a vengeance, even on medication. What is happening?"

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2022

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I had my gallbladder removed 4 years ago; I kept getting awful bouts of diarrhea as many as 9 times a day. Dreadful wind and pain. Doctors didn’t have a clue. A friend told me she thought I had acid bowel malabsorption, and she suggested the colesevelam. I asked my GP; he said it sounded as if I did and prescribed the powder, which I find very difficult to drink as I also have Sjögren's, which causes a dry mouth. So I saw a consultant who did various tests, and he prescribed the tablets. I cannot begin to tell you how much they have helped; I do need them every day, 2 tablets twice a day. If I don’t take them, I get incontinent. They have helped me so, so much; however, my GP will not prescribe the tablets, and they are costing me over £100 a month!!"

• FLH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Unable to take statins for my genetically high cholesterol and triglycerides due to severe muscle pains; however, this medication, in powder form, caused severe back pain. Unable to continue taking it."

• SUZ...
• August 31, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Welchol for a month. Out of the 3 years I have been testing my blood sugar, my fasting blood sugar has been the highest in the morning (I follow a strict low-carb diet). I have normal numbers during the day, but when I wake up, it is anywhere from 10 to 30 points higher. Eating different bedtime snacks, eliminating bedtime snacks, changing Metformin time; nothing made any difference. Since Welchol, my fasting is almost always the same as when I go to bed. The only negative side effect is heartburn if not taken with food. I prefer it before bed to lower my fasting, but I might have to change it to dinner time. Hopefully, it will still help my morning fasting blood sugar. It's too soon to recheck my cholesterol."