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Have Muscle And Back Problems With Cholesterol Medications. Advised To Start Welchol. Is It A Fibrate?
I have experienced muscle and back problems with regular cholesterol meds. My doctor has just asked me to start taking Welchol. 2 tabs 3 x da. In an Oct. 2012 copy of the Cleveland Clinic "Heart Advisor" they talk about fibrate users more likely to experience an increase in seerum creatinine. Is Welchol a fibrfate or in that class?
Thu, 4 Jul 2013
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query on healthcaremagic.
Coming to your query about drug welchol, It contains Colesevelam, which is basically a blood cholesterol lowering medicine included in bile acid sequestrants. Although they produce same ultimate effect (i.e. lowers the blood cholesterol) drugs in this group are different from fibrates as their mechanism of action are different and hence, there is a considerable difference in side effect profile also.
Welchol (colesevelam) usually does not hamper kidney function and hence no chance of increase in serum creatinine levels. Possible side effects of welchol are flatulence and diarrhea (most common), constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting and myalgia.
Hope this will satisfy your query. Take care.
Thank you for posting your query on healthcaremagic.
Coming to your query about drug welchol, It contains Colesevelam, which is basically a blood cholesterol lowering medicine included in bile acid sequestrants. Although they produce same ultimate effect (i.e. lowers the blood cholesterol) drugs in this group are different from fibrates as their mechanism of action are different and hence, there is a considerable difference in side effect profile also.
Welchol (colesevelam) usually does not hamper kidney function and hence no chance of increase in serum creatinine levels. Possible side effects of welchol are flatulence and diarrhea (most common), constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting and myalgia.
Hope this will satisfy your query. Take care.
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Hi,
Welchol is the drug colesevelam. It is a drug that has similar action to fibrates. It binds to bile acid and prevents its reabsorption. Thus, you may again get the symptoms of back pain and so on with this drug as well. This drug however does not affect the kidneys commonly. The side effects of this drug is as follows:
Headache
Stomach disturbance
muscle aches.
I hope this helps you.
Dr Vineet
Welchol is the drug colesevelam. It is a drug that has similar action to fibrates. It binds to bile acid and prevents its reabsorption. Thus, you may again get the symptoms of back pain and so on with this drug as well. This drug however does not affect the kidneys commonly. The side effects of this drug is as follows:
Headache
Stomach disturbance
muscle aches.
I hope this helps you.
Dr Vineet
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
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