Colesevelam and Gas: What Users Say

• aec...
• March 21, 2011

Colesevelam for High Cholesterol "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 10, 2017

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I have Crohn's disease and had my second bowel resection over a year ago. Experienced severe diarrhea and gas after every meal, no matter what I ate. Was prescribed Welchol -- 2 per day. I take it mid-day right before lunch, and it gets rid of all of the symptoms until the next day. If I ever miss a day, I'm back to square one. Nothing else seems to work for me, but this is a godsend."

• 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."