What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Colesevelam and cyclosporine
Colesevelam's FDA label of December 28, 2023 names cyclosporine in its drug interactions section; the cyclosporine labels PlainMeds reads (4) do not name colesevelam. The colesevelam label: “… drug. In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in exposure of cyclosporine when coadministered with colesevelam hydrochloride.”
Check it at the source: the colesevelam FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 28, 2023, A-S Medication Solutions); the cyclosporine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 10, 2026, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation).
What does the colesevelam label say about cyclosporine?
Colesevelam label, drug interactionsDrugs with a Narrow Therapeutic Index Clinical Impact: Concomitant use with colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease the exposure of the narrow therapeutic index drug. In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in exposure of cyclosporine when coadministered with colesevelam hydrochloride. Intervention: Administer the narrow therapeutic index drug at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam hydrochloride. Monitor drug levels when appropriate. Examples: Cyclosporine
Source: FDA drug label (COLESEVELAM HYDROCHLORIDE), NDA021176 (Cosette), as published by A-S Medication Solutions, effective December 28, 2023 (SPL set 0127afae-8d8d-43f2-97f9-4f99f6947e81), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the cyclosporine label say about colesevelam?
Cyclosporine's label (effective August 10, 2026) and its 3 other brand-application labels do not name colesevelam in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Neoral), Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, effective August 10, 2026 (SPL set 94461af3-11f1-4670-95d4-2965b9538ae3), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Colesevelam | Cyclosporine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes | Organ transplant rejection, Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.262 per tablet 625 mg tablet | $1.04 per unit 0.05% eye emulsion |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once