Colesevelam and Constipation: What Users Say

• wez...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2014

Colesevelam for Diarrhea, Chronic "I have had severe diarrhea for years after getting gall bladder removed. Had many tests run, tried everything. Eat, bathroom, eat, bathroom I was miserable. I signed up for medication study program after trying many different studies a wonderful caring nurse who led the studies suggested this medicine. WOW, I'm living again. I was spending a large amount of my life in the ladies room now I'm regular. They prescribed me three pills a day it caused constipation. One a day every morning keeps me regular. What a lifesaver, I was miserable."

• use...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2020

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Thanks to everyone for sharing. After reading these reviews, I asked my doctor if I could try colesevelam for my chronic diarrhea. I've had IBS-D for over 10 years, it got really bad these last 4 years. I've tried everything, and nothing helped until this. I've been taking colesevelam for 32 days, and not one case of diarrhea - not one! It's a bit constipating, so I'm reducing the dosage. I've read that between 2 and 6 tablets per day is best. I'm doing 3 per day for the last week and will now go down to 2. I can't tell you how much this has changed my life! No side effects either."

• wel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 4, 2012

Colesevelam for Diarrhea, Chronic "Had my gallbladder taken out, got chronic diarrhea immediately even by just sipping water. I started off with 2 pills 3x a day, then got too constipated, then was able to keep lowering the dose until one pill works for everyday use, but no greasy foods for me. Thanks to Welchol, I can enjoy life again and not live it in the bathroom."

• LBa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2020

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago and suffered from diarrhea and cramping after every meal afterwards. I couldn't go out to eat at restaurants, go on trips, or leave the house unless I knew that a bathroom was close by. I finally got fed up with it and saw my doctor about it. He prescribed colesevelam, and it changed my life. I only take 1 pill a day and I experience no side effects from it, other than occasional constipation. I love it because it allows me to eat whatever I want without ending up in the bathroom afterwards."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2019

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I have had IBS my whole life. I would take Imodium in my twenties before any outing, and while it controlled diarrhea, it made me nauseous, jittery, and constipated. So I avoided dinners out, dreaded all away-from-home festivities, much to my active family's chagrin. Then my doctor prescribed Welchol around 40 years old, I am 49 now. Up to six a day as needed. Seemed like a lot. I started with 2. Now I only take one before meals out and start a couple of days ahead of time if I will be traveling (on the road food, UGH!). I have a life now, still watch my main triggers though, nothing's failproof. Just have to experiment with it to see what works for you. But I thank God for the day I got my life back. My family does too! Very expensive when I didn’t have insurance, so I bought it 7 to 10 pills at a time."

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2008

Colesevelam for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL "I have been using Welchol for several years since I cannot take statins. I have had no problem with memory loss. The only side effect I have suffered is occasional constipation that is easily relieved with adequate fluid intake and fiber supplements. It, in conjunction with my dietary changes, is keeping my cholesterol down adequately."

• Gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 23, 2024

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I've been on these tablets, 2 a day, morning and evening meal, like a lot more. Spent my life in toilets, hardly get on holiday, ruined my life with diarrhea. At last, I feel like my life has changed after 40 years for someone, a doctor, to eventually diagnose me. Yes, I get a bit constipated, but better than running to the toilet 8/10 times a day. I wore out."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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
• August 12, 2011

Colesevelam for Type 2 Diabetes "Did help lower blood sugar, but caused constipation. I never built up to taking the full dose."

• lal...
• November 5, 2009

Colesevelam for Type 2 Diabetes "Constipation, indigestion, and weakness were all prominent."

• Nib...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2019

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I’ve had leakage from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and this is the only med to stop diarrhea safely. Anti-diarrhea meds make me so constipated."