Key takeaways

  • Colesevelam is a generic drug prescribed to help lower cholesterol levels and manage blood sugar levels. It’s available as the brand-name drug Welchol.
  • The cost of colesevelam with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as the drug form your prescribed and whether there’s a coupon.
  • You may be able to reduce long-term costs by getting a 90-day supply or using a mail-order pharmacy.

Specifically, colesevelam is prescribed to help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in certain adults and children ages 10 to 17 years. It’s also used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Keep reading to learn about cost and colesevelam.

As with all medications, the cost of colesevelam can vary. Factors that may affect the price for colesevelam you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use

To find out what the cost of colesevelam will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Colesevelam coupons and savings

You may be able to find drug coupons on prescription discount websites that can reduce the cost of your medication. These coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits, but the discounted price may be lower than what you would pay through insurance.

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Colesevelam is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Colesevelam is available as the brand-name drug Welchol. If your doctor has prescribed colesevelam and you’re interested in using Welchol instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of this brand-name drug compares with the cost of colesevelam, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and colesevelam.

How does the cost of colesevelam powder and tablet compare?

It’s possible that you’ll pay more for the powder form of colesevelam than the tablet form. The powder form comes in packets in two strengths: 1.875 grams (g) and 3.75 g. The tablets come in one strength of 625 milligrams (mg).

The cost of the powder form of colesevelam also depends on your treatment plan, your specific insurance coverage, and which pharmacy you use.

For more information on how much you’ll pay for colesevelam powder versus tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does the brand-name version of colesevelam cost more than the generic? If so, why?

Yes, the brand-name version of colesevelam (Welchol) can cost more than the generic drug.

The brand-name version of a drug is typically the first version that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). More time and effort are required to first approve a drug, which may cause the drug to cost more. With generics, part of the work has already been done, so the drug is approved more easily. In turn, the manufacturer can charge less for the medication.

If you take colesevelam long term, here are some ways you may be able to lower your costs:

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of colesevelam. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Colesevelam may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for colesevelam, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers colesevelam. This means the company and your doctor will discuss colesevelam in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.

If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether colesevelam requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.