Overview
11 DESCRIPTION Colesevelam hydrochloride is a non-absorbed, polymeric, lipid-lowering and glucose-lowering agent for oral administration. Colesevelam hydrochloride is a high-capacity bile acid-binding molecule. Colesevelam hydrochloride is poly(allylamine hydrochloride) cross-linked with epichlorohydrin and alkylated with 1-bromodecane and (6-bromohexyl)-trimethylammonium bromide.
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Primary Hyperlipidemia : Colesevelam hydrochloride, the active pharmaceutical ingredient, is a non-absorbed, lipid-lowering polymer that binds bile acids in the intestine, impeding their reabsorption. As the bile acid pool becomes depleted, the hepatic enzyme, cholesterol 7-α-hydroxylase, is upregulated, which increases the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. This causes an increased demand for cholesterol in the liver cells, resulting in the dual effect of increasing transcription and activity of the cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, and increasing the number of hepatic LDL receptors. These compensatory effects result in increased clearance of LDL-C from the blood, resulting in decreased serum LDL-C levels.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Colesevelam hydrochloride is a bile acid sequestrant indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to: reduce elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with primary hyperlipidemia ( 1.1 ). reduce LDL-C levels in boys and postmenarchal girls, 10 to 17 years of age, with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), unable to reach LDL-C target levels despite an adequate trial of diet and lifestyle modification ( 1.1 ). improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( 1.2 ). Limitations of Use ( 1.
Common Doses
- 500 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Obtain lipid parameters, including serum triglyceride (TG) levels, before starting colesevelam hydrochloride ( 2.1 ). The recommended dosage for adults and for boys and postmenarchal girls aged 10 to 17 years with primary hyperlipidemia is 3.75 grams daily. The recommended dosage for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus is 3.75 grams daily. Colesevelam hydrochloride should be taken as follows ( 2.2 , 2.4 ): Tablets Take 6 tablets once daily or 3 tablets twice daily with a meal and liquid. For Oral Suspension Take one packet once daily with a meal.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Colesevelam hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients with: Serum TG concentrations >500 mg/dL [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] History of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] A history of bowel obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Patients with serum triglyceride levels >500 mg/dL ( 4 ) Patients with a history of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis ( 4 ) Patients with a history of bowel obstruction ( 4 )
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following important adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Hypertriglyceridemia and Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Gastrointestinal Obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Vitamin K or Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiencies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] In clinical trials, the most common (incidence ≥2% and greater than placebo) adverse reactions with colesevelam hydrochloride included constipation, dyspepsia, and nausea ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant use with colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease the exposure of the following drugs: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., cyclosporine), phenytoin, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, warfarin, oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, olmesartan medoxomil, and sulfonylureas (glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide). Administer these drugs 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. For patients on warfarin, monitor International Normalized Ratio (INR) frequently during initiation then periodically ( 7.1 ).