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Drug interactions

Colesevelam + Obeticholic acid

Severity: Moderate

Colesevelam and Obeticholic acid: 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

Bile acid sequestrants bind obeticholic acid in the gut, reducing its absorption and potentially its effectiveness in liver disease. Efficacy may be diminished if doses are taken close together.

What this interaction means in plain words

Colesevelam and Obeticholic acid 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; Obeticholic acid belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Colesevelam binds obeticholic acid in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing its absorption.

What to do

Give obeticholic acid at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after colesevelam, and monitor liver biochemistry response.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Colesevelam with Obeticholic acid?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Colesevelam and Obeticholic acid 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. Bile acid sequestrants bind obeticholic acid in the gut, reducing its absorption and potentially its effectiveness in liver disease. Efficacy may be diminished if doses are taken close together.

How serious is the interaction between Colesevelam and Obeticholic acid?

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 obeticholic acid at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after colesevelam, and monitor liver biochemistry response.

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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