User Reviews for WelChol oral

I am finding that it is helping me lower my cholesterol. In addition, it has lowered my A1c 10 points within 2 wks of starting it. Pills are large but do-able. Powder is awful!

I have stage 3 liver disease so this is one of the few medications I can take (safely) to manage my cholesterol. I have had excellent results and no problems with tolerance. There are no generics available for Welchol yet so its expensive. I changed jobs and my new insurance (U_H_C) refuses to pay for Welchol & demand that I switch to cholestyramine (Questran). I hope it does not worsen my liver disease. I have very little left... We'll see. I hate that insurance companies can dictate medical care. ACA is going to make things a lot worse.Read More Read Less

I have been experiencing a lot of pain in my joints and legs...similar to what I experienced on statins

It was terrible. Made me hurt terrible around my chest and ribs. Would not take it again.

makes me feel full and not hungry, have gas problem no pain

I had terrible stomadh pain

I'm a 66 yr old F. I take 3 pills I the AM and 3 in the PM. Other than gas I find no problems with them. I had severe pain on statins. The co pay with my Medicare and supplemental insurance is $40 and that is hard to pay. Statins co-pay was just $4 but the pain was unbearable. My income is small so it hurts in a different way. My numbers are improving. Anther prescription before this one the copay was $180. I didn't get those and called my Dr. The Welchol is a trial to see if I can take it but except for the money it seems to be working out ok.Read More Read Less

Same muscle pain with this that I had with Statins - very disappointing, since this was an attempt to find something I could take. I didn't make the connection immediately, just as it took months for me to figure out that the Statins were causing the stabbing pain at rest that I was having in chest, shoulders and arms. It's back, and I will take the risk of having high Cholesterol any day over that pain.

I took my first dose (free trial)of the powder today. Nasty stuff. Called pharmacy to find out the price. They told me $134.50 WITH my Medicare. I sure can't afford that!!!! Just called the doc to get something else.

Easy to take I use the powder,my numbers went down,bot I get such bad nucle pain at night I am going to stop it and see

I'm very satisfied with this med. However, I am experiencing terrible leg cramps like with statins, bloating, gas, loss of appetite and nausea. Still it has worked well to lower my cholesterol. Just wish it didn't cause the leg cramps. Am taking 3 pills in the a.m. and 3 in the p.m.

Have lost 40 lbs...in 6 months. Been on over a year. Doctor says level still high try another 3months and retest..She doubled my thryoid med about 6 months. Other meds had back pain and kidney cysts . Having trouble with prolapse uterus and bladder 6 months after starting. Doc says coincidental??? Started taking 60 now 61. Cost of meds...make buying food expensive..so maybe stress and $$ reason for wt. loss...Taking BP, thryoid meds too so not much left over for food especially lately the cost this year has tripled in this area.... for food. Family lost two jobs down to part time temporary work so income down to 1/4 what it was 4 years ago. Did lose enough to cut back on water pills.Read More Read Less

I'm a 46 y/o male. Five months ago, my total cholesterol was 281 and my LDL was 199. I can't tolerate statins so my doctor suggested Welchol. Since my cholesterol was so high, I also switched to a plant-based diet (no meat or dairy) and cut back on sugar. I also started going for walks in the morning before work. Yesterday my latest blood test results showed that my total cholesterol is now 193 and my LDL is 125. It's the first time in 15 years that my cholesterol has been below 200. The diet and exercise certainly helped and I'm sure Welchol helped push my numbers even lower. I take the powdered form that mixes with water. The slimy texture took some getting used to, but it's a small price to pay compared to the benefits it provides. Read More Read Less

I used the pill form of Welchol Oral and could not tolerate, then try the powder form.First three doses my throat came very itchy (that should have been a clue), the fourth dose my throat just swelled shut after the first swallow. I actually could not breath, thought I was dying. Actually I was. Then all of a sudden the swelling subsided and I could breath little small breaths. Still not over that experience.What a wake up call.

After a quadruple bypass and 9 stents, I have to be extremely careful with my cholesterol levels. Crestor and the like busted my liver. Now with WelChol I have severe stomach pains, the cholesterol levels are not down and it has double the number of gall bladder stones, as told by the ER professionals. I have stopped taking this med!!

Been prescribed this med for diarrhea and IBS that Ive had for years. Has helped with diarrhea but now I have terrible heartburn/stomach distress!Will consult with GI doc.

I stopped taking statins after 10+ years due to memory issues. I tried to eat better and increase exercise but levels crept above 200. My doctor suggested Welchol and I have been on it for about 30 days. I am e peri ending severe hip and leg pain that forced me to ER to see if I somehow had a fracture. X-rays were negative. Taking Percocet or Valium to get through the work day and stopping Welchol as of now.

I have gained 10 pounds. I know it is the medication as that is the only variable, diet, exercise, other medications have remained the same. I meet with my MD in a few days and he may order blood tests to see if it has lowed my cholesterol. I have also experienced the gas and muscle pains that others have, but I am most concerned with the weight gain. I'm not especially satisfied with the medication, and honestly could not suggest that others speak with their MD's about starting it.

I have been having migraines and itching. Wondering if these could be a side effect of the Welchol.

After the first packet I got stomach pain, shortness of breath and coughing like I had smoked for years(Never have smoked). I am a runner so I stop after first dose. Stomach hurt so bad it was hard to sleep.