Colesevelam for High Cholesterol User Reviews

• str...
• February 1, 2016

Colesevelam "I had my gallbladder removed in 2002 and have been dealing with IBS after eating for 14 years. I thought I had to just live with it as a consequence of surgery! I have had high cholesterol for years, so my primary care physician prescribed this drug. It stopped my IBS, will lower my cholesterol, and also helps with my hypoglycemia. Win, win, win... I'm 57 and before using this drug, I wasn't enjoying life much. I was worried about toilets, heart disease, or expecting to live a long full life. Now 3 less things to worry about :)"

• Jac...
• September 25, 2013

Colesevelam "Five months ago, my total cholesterol was 281 (LDL was 199). I can't tolerate statins, so my doctor suggested Welchol. I started eating a plant-based diet (no meat or dairy) and began going for walks in the morning. Yesterday, my latest blood test showed that my total cholesterol is now 193 and my LDL is 125. That's the first time in 15 years that my cholesterol has been under 200. The diet and exercise certainly had an impact, and I'm sure Welchol pushed the numbers even lower."

• NPa...
• April 21, 2012

Colesevelam "Severe headache (migraines) and nausea, some hives and itching after two weeks on medication. I am allergic to statins (severe muscle pain), and this was my last resort. Genetic high cholesterol. Diet is my only option at this point. I am a 52-year-old female, 125 lbs, 5'5'. Stop taking this after two weeks on samples doctor gave me."

• Jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 1, 2017

Colesevelam "Started taking Welchol in 2012. To date, my LDL has dropped 30%. I recently took the time to read the insert with the medication and was appalled to see that this medication contains aspartame. This is the sugar substitute that I stopped using several years ago because of the muscle pain I was experiencing. Two weeks later, the muscle pain was gone. I was also diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in April 2015. Aspartame is suspected to be a cancer-causing agent. What is this drug company thinking? Stevia is a sugar substitute that is safe, and it's a natural sweetener. If a sweetener is necessary, why not use Stevia? I am weaning myself off of Welchol and will consult with my cardiologist at my next visit."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2010

Colesevelam "Have been on Welchol oral suspension or tabs for a little less than a year, my LDL-C went down about 38%. Oral suspension is a nice option, just mix in a water bottle with 3/4 filled with water, shake it, and have it with my dinner."

• aec...
• March 21, 2011

Colesevelam "Too soon to tell if it is lowering cholesterol, but did want to mention it is very easy to take, but can cause abdominal bloating. I had such gas pains, didn't know how to get comfortable. The doctor suggested Miralax, which did the trick with the bloating."

• mar...
• June 15, 2010

Colesevelam "I suffered severe diarrhea for many months after gallbladder removal (due to lipid 'dumping'), until my doctor prescribed a similar medicine that worked great, but it was a powder which was inconvenient, so he switched me to Welchol, which also worked great. The prescription was for 6 pills a day, but I never needed that many unless I ate something ridiculously greasy and fatty for every meal, say, fried chicken with french fries and a shake. Otherwise, I just took 1 pill before lunch and 1 before dinner. None needed with breakfast because I just had fruit and skim milk. After about 8 years, my body adjusted to 'no gallbladder,' but this medicine helped me be able to keep a job and get out of the house away from the bathroom until then."

• Sla...
• June 21, 2013

Colesevelam "51 yr old male - high blood pressure, diabetic with bad HDL/LDL ratio (total cholesterol around 100). I do not eat right (but I am getting better at it). Been on the suspension for about a year now. I can tell by my energy level and overall 'feeling' when I take it - don't seem to have the highs and lows. Hate the taste and texture when mixed with plain water, so a lot of days I just didn't take it. I have found that if I mix it with 8 oz of water and add a shot of orange MIO, that it is fine. Also, I was taking it at night (just before bed), but I was having terrible heartburn. Now taking it in the morning and no such problem... The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is ease of use."

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

Colesevelam "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 "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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• Pet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 13, 2018

"35-year-old Caucasian male. I take Lodalis along with Repatha and Ezetimibe for high cholesterol. This is now year 3. I have severe hip pain most days but no other side effects. It is tolerable and has lowered my cholesterol substantially. Recommended if you can afford it."

• MAP...
• July 28, 2015

Colesevelam "Medicine worked initially to lower cholesterol, but became less effective as time went on. Also, taking three of those 'horse pills' twice a day is difficult! They are huge pills."