Drug interactions
Colesevelam + Liothyronine
Severity: Moderate
Colesevelam and Liothyronine: 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
Colesevelam can bind oral thyroid hormones in the gut and reduce their absorption. This may lead to raised TSH and hypothyroid symptoms in patients on replacement.
What this interaction means in plain words
Colesevelam and Liothyronine 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.
Colesevelam belongs to Endocrine; Liothyronine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Resin binding of thyroid hormone in the gastrointestinal tract decreases absorption.
What to do
Give liothyronine at least 4 hours before colesevelam and monitor TSH after starting or changing 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 + Cyclosporine Moderate
Other interactions of Liothyronine
- Alogliptin-metformin + Liothyronine Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Liothyronine Moderate
- Amobarbital + Liothyronine Moderate
- Canagliflozin-metformin + Liothyronine Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Liothyronine Moderate
- Carbonyl iron + Liothyronine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Colesevelam with Liothyronine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Colesevelam and Liothyronine 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. Colesevelam can bind oral thyroid hormones in the gut and reduce their absorption. This may lead to raised TSH and hypothyroid symptoms in patients on replacement.
How serious is the interaction between Colesevelam and Liothyronine?
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 liothyronine at least 4 hours before colesevelam and monitor TSH after starting or changing 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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