What is Welchol?
Welchol, or Cholestagel when purchased internationally, is a prescription medication containing 625mcg of colesevelam; a bile acid sequestrant drug. This medication is administered orally in tablet form and can be purchased as the brand-name medication at My Drug Center with a valid prescription.
What is Welchol used for?
Welchol is used for the treatment of high cholesterol; a condition linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (such as coronary heart disease and stroke).
How does Welchol work?
Bile acid, which is used to help break down food, is created in the liver using cholesterol. Colesevelam (Welchol) is a bile acid sequestrant; therefore it is able to remove bile acid from the body, causing a shortage of bile acid. This will signal your body to produce more bile acid to compensate for the low levels. The liver will then collect cholesterol from the body to turn into bile acid, thus reducing the total amount of cholesterol present in the body.
How to take Welchol?
You should use this medication exactly the way it has been prescribed to you by your doctor. Directions can commonly be found on your prescription label if you forget. To use Welchol; swallow the tablet whole while ensuring not to chew, crush, or break the tablet. Welchol should be taken with a meal, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Welchol is commonly taken as one daily dose of 6 tablets OR two daily doses of 3 tablets. If you are unsure how to use this medication properly; contact your doctor before starting treatment.
When does Welchol go generic?
There is already a generic for Welchol available, though unfortunately at this time; we do not carry the generic version at My Drug Center. However, we do sell the brand name Welchol for a lower cost than the common retail price of the generic Welchol in the United States, by more than half.
How much does Welchol cost without insurance?
Without insurance, in the United States, Welchol is a very costly medication. Even the average retail cost for the generic alternative is expensive, especially without insurance. Typically, in the United States, the average retail cost without insurance for generic Welchol is $320.00 more than My Drug Center’s cost for the brand name medication in the same strength and quantity. At My Drug Center, 180 Welchol tablets (625mg) will cost $259.00.
Who makes Welchol?
Welchol is manufactured by a global pharmaceutical company called Daiichi Sankyo.
What are the side effects of the drug Welchol?
The most commonly reported side effects of Welchol include constipation, nausea, or upset stomach. Side effects usually occur while your body adjusts to the new medication; these side effects should not alarm you. Not all possible side effects have been listed here.