colesevelam vs olmesartan

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

moderate Known Drug Interaction

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Lithium: Risk of lithium toxicity ( 7.2 ) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Reduced diuretic, natriuretic and antihypotensive effects; increased risk of renal toxicity ( 7.3 ) Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension, and hyperkalemia ( 7.4 ) Colesevelam hydrochloride: Consider administering olmesartan at least 4 hours before colesevelam hydrochloride dose ( 7.5 ) Antidiabetic drugs: Dosage adjustment may be required ( 7.6 ) Cholestyramine and colestipol: Reduced absorption of thiazides ( 7.6 ) 7.1...

Drug Class
colesevelam Bile Acid Sequestrant (Diabetes)
olmesartan Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Type
colesevelam Prescription
olmesartan 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.

olmesartan

No summary available.

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.

olmesartan

Information not available.

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.

olmesartan

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
colesevelam
  • Constipation
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea
  • Accidental injury
  • Weakness
olmesartan
  • Nausea
  • High uric acid levels in the blood
  • Dizziness
  • Upper respiratory infection (like a cold)
FAERS Reports
colesevelam
  • Diarrhoea 121
  • Dyspnoea 72
  • Cough 64
  • Muscle Spasms 61
  • Fatigue 59
olmesartan

No adverse event reports.

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.

olmesartan

No specific warnings noted.

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.

olmesartan

No pregnancy information available.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This colesevelam vs olmesartan Comparison

colesevelam is classified in the Bile Acid Sequestrant (Diabetes) drug class, while olmesartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) 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 olmesartan has 0. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to colesevelam can stick to olmesartan in your stomach, which prevents your body from absorbing the blood pressure medicine correctly.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for colesevelam or olmesartan.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.