title: Expanded colesevelam administration options with oral suspension formulation for patients with diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colesevelam HCl (colesevelam) is a bile acid sequestrant initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000 as an adjunct to diet and exercise to lower elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in adults with primary lipidemia, as monotherapy, or in combination with a statin. More recently, the drug was approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to improve glycemic control. Thus, colesevelam is currently the only single-agent monotherapy approved by the FDA to lower both LDL-C and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) levels in adults with T2DM and elevated LDL-C. Moreover, the formulation options for colesevelam have also expanded since its original approval.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Medline search was conducted to provide evidence to support the efficacy and safety for the use of colesevelam tablets or oral suspension preparations when treating patients with lipidemia, T2DM, or both. No limitations were placed on publication date or any other parameter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical studies have shown that colesevelam is efficacious in lowering LDL-C levels, improving the lipid profile, and improving glycemic control by reducing both A1c and fasting plasma glucose levels in T2DM. Equilibrium and kinetics data show that colesevelam is equivalent in its tablet and oral suspension formulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having 2 effective oral routes enhances convenience and improves compliance, both of which contribute to maximal therapeutic outcomes. These compliance benefits are due to the ease and flexibility of preparing the powder in various beverages and the pleasant taste from the inclusion of a low-calorie citrus flavoring.
authors.affiliation: Associate Clinical Professor, Drexel University-College of Nursing and Health Professions, Philadelphia, PA. lad56@drexel.edu.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dayer-Berenson
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Finckenor
mesh_terms: D000499:Allylamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects; D000069472:Colesevelam Hydrochloride; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D013535:Suspensions; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D000499:Allylamine; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000069472:Colesevelam Hydrochloride; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; D013535:Suspensions; D013607:Tablets