Colesevelam and Nausea: What Users Say

• NPa...
• April 21, 2012

Colesevelam for High Cholesterol "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."

• 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."

• GFg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 16, 2019

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Responding to Tishayoung - I have been on it for a few months consistently now, and I've noticed it's a very strong dosage that causes nausea if I don't eat enough food with it, and yet I still have good/bad days on it. I did a trial where I quit taking it, and I had diarrhea nearly instantly the next morning. So it definitely does work to some extent, but I still find myself having to take Imodium alongside it, which seems ridiculous at 6 pills/day. Maybe from what I'm reading, Welchol works better than the generic? Has anyone else got any input on this? I know generics can differ a little, but I'm willing to switch to the brand if it works better! Glad it's working well for those I've read about on here though."

• 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."

• 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!!"