Welchol (colesevelam) is used to lower elevated LDL cholesterol levels in hyperlipidemia and blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.

The medication also sees some off-label use in treating chronic diarrhea, such as in Crohn's disease, post-cholecystectomy syndrome, or bile acid diarrhea. Treatment in these conditions is typically the same as when Welchol is used for hyperlipidemia or diabetes.

Patients should not buy Welchol to directly treat type 1 diabetes. It is occasionally used to treat elevated cholesterol levels in type 1 diabetics; this should be done under the guidance of a physician.

Welchol can be used in children, though a doctor will need to calculate dosage according to weight and other factors. For children the medication is typically administered by oral suspension, which can be prepared by a pharmacist.

This medication is also known by the name Cholestagel, and in Canada patients usually buy Welchol as Lodalis.

Treatment Guidelines

Treatment with Welchol is remarkably similar in most patients, though there may be some variance depending on other medications being taken or other major medical conditions present. Welchol reduces LDL cholesterol by reducing bile production, facilitating conversion of LDL into bile. The precise mechanism by which Welchol helps manage blood glucose levels is not clearly understood.

In otherwise healthy adults:

• Take 6 tablets a day, either all in one dose or 3 tablets twice a day.
• Take with a meal and a full glass of fluid.
• If a dose is missed for more than a few hours, it should be skipped completely. Do not take a double dose to compensate.

In all conditions Welchol treats it will take 4 to 6 weeks for full effects to be appreciated; as long as no serious side effects occur, treatment should continue for at least that long before judging its usefulness or lack thereof. Regular doctor checkups are advisable for the duration of treatment to enure the medication is continuing to work as intended, as well as to monitor for any developing adverse effects.

Adverse Effects

Side effects from Welchol are not unusual, but are typically mild and not cause for concern unless severe enough to be disruptive to daily life. Often they will stop occurring as the body adjusts to treatment and cholesterol and/or glucose levels stabilize. The most commonly reported side effects include:

• Flatulence
• Constipation
• Hard stools
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Abdominal pain

Welchol is associated with a very slight increase of cardiovascular events. Patients with a history of such will want to use this medication with caution, alert for symptoms or warning signs.

Welchol is known to interact with some other medications; of particular concern are anticonvulsants, blood thinners, and some thyroid medications. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing medications or modifying doses.

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Clients will need a prescription to buy Welchol. Our online doctor can issue a prescription to qualifying patients at no additional cost---simply begin the checkout procedure and answer the questions on the following page.

Patients who already have a prescription to buy Welchol will be provided with options to transfer it to us after completing checkout.

Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is always standing by to help if you have any questions or need help with your order.