0

Home > Drug Category > Cholesterol Medications > Lodalis and Equivalent

Lodalis Information

Lodalis (Colesevelam) is used along with a proper diet and exercise to lower cholesterol in people with high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Lowering cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. Colesevelam is sometimes used together with "statin" cholesterol medications such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and others. Colesevelam is also used along with a proper diet and exercise to lower high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, and sexual function problems and also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Colesevelam belongs to a class of drugs called bile acid-binding resins. Bile acid is a natural substance the liver makes by using cholesterol. This medication works by removing bile acid from the body. This causes the liver to make more bile acid by using cholesterol, which reduces cholesterol levels in the blood. It is not known how colesevelam works in lowering blood sugar.

Lodalis Side Effects

The most common side effects of Lodalis may include constipation; flatulence (gas); diarrhea; indigestion; muscle pain; abdominal pain; abnormal stools; feeling sick (nausea); headache; raised levels of triglycerides (fats) in your blood; raised levels of liver enzymes in your blood; worsening of hemorrhoids. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects such as:
• Bowel obstruction (abdominal pain, cramps or distension, vomiting, fecal vomiting, constipation);
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Fecal impaction (chronic constipation sometimes with overflow diarrhea as liquid stool passes around the obstruction, abdominal pain and bloating, loss of appetite);
• Pancreatitis (severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back, nausea, vomiting).

Lodalis Precautions

Do not use Lodalis if you are allergic to Colesevelam or to any other ingredients in this medication; if you have a blockage in your intestines or bile ducts; if you have diabetic ketoacidosis; very high triglycerides; or a history of pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides. Before you start taking this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history including if your triglyceride levels are greater than 3.4 mmol/L; you have difficulty in swallowing, or have a major stomach or intestinal disorder; are taking another medication called cyclosporine; are taking antidiabetic treatments; are taking the oral contraceptive pill; are taking anticoagulant therapy; suffer from constipation; are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant or are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Lodalis and other medications. If you have any condition that could cause you to have a deficiency of vitamins A, D, E or K, your doctor may want to check your vitamin levels periodically while you are taking Lodalis. Colesevelam is not for use in girls who have not yet started having menstrual periods. Colesevelam should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old.

Do I need a prescription to order Lodalis?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Lodalis.