WelChol Drug Interactions

Certain Vitamins
WelChol may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, or vitamin K. You should take any such vitamins at least four hours before a dose of WelChol.
 
Cyclosporine
WelChol can decrease the absorption of cyclosporine. You should take cyclosporine at least four hours before WelChol, and your healthcare provider should monitor the level of cyclosporine in your blood (and adjust your cyclosporine dosage as necessary).
  
Glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase)
WelChol may decrease the absorption of glyburide into the body, perhaps making it less effective. Glyburide should be taken at least four hours before a dose of WelChol to avoid this interaction. If you take WelChol twice a day and have trouble timing the doses of glyburide and WelChol, ask your healthcare provider about taking WelChol just once a day instead of twice a day, as this can help make avoiding this interaction easier.
 
Levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Levothroid, Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid)
WelChol may decrease the absorption of levothyroxine into the body, perhaps making it less effective. Levothyroxine should be taken at least four hours before a dose of WelChol to avoid this interaction.
 
Oral Contraceptives
WelChol has been shown to decrease the absorption of certain birth control pills (those that contain ethinyl estradiol in combination with norethindrone), perhaps increasing the risk of pregnancy. WelChol has not been studied in combination with other birth control pills, and it is likely that WelChol will interact similarly with other birth control pills as well. Birth control pills should be taken at least four hours before a dose of WelChol.
  
Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
There have been reports of WelChol interacting with phenytoin, perhaps decreasing its absorption and making it less effective. To avoid this interaction, take phenytoin at least four hours before a dose of WelChol.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
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