Drug interactions
Colesevelam + Cyclosporine
Severity: Moderate
Colesevelam and Cyclosporine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Taken together, colesevelam lowers cyclosporine absorption, which could lead to subtherapeutic immunosuppression and risk of rejection. The effect is avoided when cyclosporine is taken well before colesevelam.
What this interaction means in plain words
Colesevelam and Cyclosporine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Colesevelam binds cyclosporine in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing its absorption.
What to do
Give cyclosporine at least 4 hours before colesevelam and monitor cyclosporine trough concentrations when starting or stopping colesevelam.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Colesevelam
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Colesevelam Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan + Colesevelam Moderate
- Chenodiol + Colesevelam Moderate
- Cholic acid + Colesevelam Moderate
- Colesevelam + Cyclosporin Moderate
- Colesevelam + Gliclazide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Colesevelam with Cyclosporine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Colesevelam and Cyclosporine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Taken together, colesevelam lowers cyclosporine absorption, which could lead to subtherapeutic immunosuppression and risk of rejection. The effect is avoided when cyclosporine is taken well before colesevelam.
How serious is the interaction between Colesevelam and Cyclosporine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give cyclosporine at least 4 hours before colesevelam and monitor cyclosporine trough concentrations when starting or stopping colesevelam.
What other medicines interact with Colesevelam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Colesevelam with, for example, Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide, Amlodipine-olmesartan, Chenodiol. The full list is on the Colesevelam page.
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