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Colesevelam hydrochloride: reducing atherosclerotic coronary heart disease risk factors
Authors Harold Bays, Peter H Jones
Published 15 November 2007 Volume 2007:3(5) Pages 733—742
Harold Bays1, Peter H Jones2
1L-MARC Research Center, Louisville KY, USA; 2Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
Abstract: Colesevelam HCl is a bile acid sequestrant (BAS) which has been specifically designed with a unique structure for the purpose of improving tolerability and reducing potential drug interactions compared to older BAS, such as cholestyramine and colestipol. As a class, BAS are known to reduce cholesterol and glucose levels, and to reduce atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD) risk as monotherapy, and in combination with other lipid-altering drug therapies. Colesevelam HCl has specifically been shown to reduce total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, and has been approved as a cholesterol-lowering drug since year 2000. It has also been shown to reduce glucose levels. This discussion reviews mechanisms by which BAS lower cholesterol, and potential mechanisms by which BAS lower glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Finally this paper specifically reviews colesevelam HCl’s pharmacology, lipid and glucose efficacy, safety/tolerability, and clinical use.
Keywords: cholesterol, colesevelam HCl, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, glucose, lipids