About High Cholesterol

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Learn About Type 2 Diabetes

Blood glucose is the main sugar found in the blood and is the body's main source of energy.7 When you have type 2 diabetes, your body has trouble using blood glucose. An organ called the pancreas controls the amount of glucose in the blood.8 The pancreas makes insulin, which helps glucose go from the foods you eat into your cells. In a person with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin or the cells don't use insulin efficiently. As a result, the level of glucose in your blood becomes too high. Over time, high blood glucose causes problems.

How is blood glucose measured?

One of the ways your physician measures your blood glucose is the hemoglobin (Hb) A1-c test — or A1C, for short.9 It shows your average blood glucose level over the last 3 months. This test is the best way to learn your overall blood glucose control during this period of time. Measuring your fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is another test that your physician can perform to measure your blood glucose.10

Why is it important to treat my high blood glucose?

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition. You may have heard people say they have "a touch of diabetes" or "my sugar is a little high." These words suggest that type 2 diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct. Type 2 diabetes is associated with many serious health problems.11

People with type 2 diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, and be physically active every day. Taking good care of yourself and your type 2 diabetes can help you feel better.

What can I do to help lower my blood glucose?

People with type 2 diabetes may avoid the long-term consequences of the disease, such as heart attack and stroke, by taking good care of themselves. When you have type 2 diabetes, you need to eat healthy food, control your weight, stay active, and take your medications.12

In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, your physician has prescribed Welchol™ (colesevelam HCl), along with one or more additional medications, to help you manage your blood glucose level. It is important to take these medications every day, even when you are feeling well. For more information about Welchol and how it can help you, please click here.

The power to manage your type 2 diabetes is in your hands. It's important to reach the goals set by you and your physician. With diet, exercise, and the right medications, you can make changes that can help you succeed!

Welchol has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.

Next: About high cholesterol

References

7. National Diabetes Education Program. If you have diabetes.know your blood sugar numbers. Available at: http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/KnowNumbers_Eng.pdf. Accessed November 13, 2007.

8. National Diabetes Education Program. Diabetes: control-slide 3. Available at: http://ndep.nih.gov/resources/presentations/diabetescontrol/slide03.htm. Accessed November 13, 2007.

9. National Diabetes Education Program. If you have diabetes.know your blood sugar numbers. Available at: http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/KnowNumbers_Eng.pdf. Accessed November 13, 2007.

10. National Diabetes Education Program. Diabetes: numbers at-a-glance (for non-pregnant adults). Available at: http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/NumAtGlance_Eng.pdf. Accessed November 13, 2007.

11. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Why taking care of your diabetes is important. Available at: http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/care.htm.

12. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Why taking care of your diabetes is important. Available at: http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/care.htm.

Healthy Starts

Learn about managing your high LDL cholesterol and/or type 2 diabetes with Welchol.

Important Information About Welchol

Welchol lowers LDL or "bad" cholesterol along with diet and exercise. It can be taken alone or with other cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins.

Welchol, along with diet and exercise, also lowers blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus when added to other antidiabetic medications (metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin).

Ask your doctor if Welchol is right for you.

Welchol is not for everyone, especially those with intestinal blockage, those with blood triglyceride levels of greater than 500 mg/dL, or a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) due to high triglyceride levels.

Welchol has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.

Tell your doctor if you have high triglycerides (greater than 300 mg/dL).

Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal problems, including gastroparesis (when the stomach takes too long to empty its contents), abnormal contractions of the digestive system, major gastrointestinal tract surgery, or if you have trouble swallowing.

Tell your doctor if you have vitamin A, D, E, or K deficiencies.

Welchol has known interactions with glyburide (a drug for diabetes), levothyroxine (a drug used to treat an underactive thyroid) and certain oral contraceptives. Welchol has not been studied with all combinations of drugs and supplements. Please tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you may be taking before beginning Welchol, as your doctor may tell you to take your other medications and supplements 4 hours before taking Welchol.

Remember to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

In patients with high LDL (“bad” cholesterol) side effects that occurred greater than placebo (a "sugar" pill) were constipation (11.0% vs. 7.0%), indigestion (8.3% vs. 3.5%), nausea (4.2% vs. 3.9%), accidental injury (3.7% vs. 2.7%), weakness (3.6% vs. 1.9%), sore throat (3.2% vs. 1.9%), flu-like symptoms (3.2% vs. 3.1%), runny nose (3.2% vs. 3.1%) and muscle aches (2.1% vs. 0.4%).

In patients with Type 2 Diabetes side effects that occurred greater than placebo were constipation (8.7% vs. 2.0%), inflamed nasal passages and throat (4.1% vs. 3.6%), indigestion (3.9% vs. 1.4%), low blood sugar (3.0% vs. 2.3%), nausea (3.0% vs. 1.4%) and high blood pressure (2.8% vs. 1.6%).

The content provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to your doctor for more information about your specific condition.

The photos on this site depict models, not actual patients or healthcare professionals.

This information is intended for U.S. residents only.
© 2008 Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.