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colesevelam vs norethindrone

Side-by-side comparison of colesevelam and norethindrone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant use with colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease the exposure of the following drugs: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., cyclosporine), phenytoin, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, warfarin, oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, olmesartan medoxomil, and sulfonylureas (glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide). Oral Contraceptives Containing Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone Clinical Impact: In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in exposure of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone when coadministered with...

Recommendation: Talk to your doctor about the best timing for taking these medications to ensure your birth control stays effective. You may need to take them several hours apart.

Drug Class
colesevelam Bile Acid Sequestrant (Diabetes)
norethindrone Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive
Type
colesevelam Prescription
norethindrone Prescription
Summary
colesevelam

Colesevelam is a medicine that helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL-C) and control blood sugar in adults. It can also lower LDL-C in children ages 10-17 with certain cholesterol problems.

norethindrone

Camila and Errin are progestin-only birth control pills. They help prevent pregnancy.

What It Treats
colesevelam

This medicine can help lower high LDL cholesterol in adults and children (10-17 years old) who have primary hyperlipidemia or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. These conditions mean you have high levels of bad cholesterol in your blood. Colesevelam can also help improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

norethindrone

These pills are used to prevent pregnancy. They are a type of oral contraceptive, also known as birth control pills. When taken correctly, birth control pills are very effective at preventing pregnancy.

How It Works
colesevelam

Colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant. It works by binding to bile acids in your gut. This helps your body get rid of cholesterol and can also lower blood sugar levels.

norethindrone

Camila and Errin contain a progestin hormone. This hormone prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It also thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.

Common Side Effects
colesevelam
  • Constipation
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea
  • Accidental injury
  • Weakness
norethindrone
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (like cramps and bloating)
  • Breakthrough bleeding or spotting
  • Changes in menstrual flow
FAERS Reports
colesevelam
  • Diarrhea 121
  • Shortness of breath 72
  • Cough 64
  • Muscle cramps 61
  • Tiredness 59
norethindrone
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 449
  • Pain in your head 424
  • Sudden feeling of warmth 370
  • Feeling tired 322
  • Aching or soreness 308
Serious Warnings
colesevelam

Colesevelam can raise your triglyceride levels, which could cause pancreatitis. Tell your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain. This medicine may also cause bowel obstruction, especially if you have stomach problems or have had major surgery on your stomach or intestines. Colesevelam can also lower the amount of fat-soluble vitamins your body absorbs.

norethindrone

Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems from birth control pills. This risk is higher if you are over 35 and smoke. You should not take this medication if you are over 35 and smoke.

Pregnancy
colesevelam

This medicine is not absorbed into your body, so it is not expected to harm your baby during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine is also not expected to pass into breast milk.

norethindrone

These pills should not be taken if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Talk to your doctor about other birth control options if you are breastfeeding.

How to Read This colesevelam vs norethindrone Comparison

colesevelam is classified in the Bile Acid Sequestrant (Diabetes) drug class, while norethindrone sits within the Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, colesevelam has 377 submissions while norethindrone has 1,873. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to colesevelam can reduce the amount of birth control medicine that enters your body. this happens because the drug can trap the birth control in your digestive system before it can work.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between colesevelam and norethindrone - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.