There's been quite a bit of "noise" in the cholesterol category within the past year -- statins being recalled or relabeled due to safety concerns and future "super statins" now being called into question over safety of highest dose. And now a new compound (with no outcomes data as of yet), joins the market. What all of these compounds have in common is that they are absorbed into the blood stream.

Attached here for your review is some information about WelChol (colesevelam hydrochloride). WelChol is non-systemic (i.e., it is not absorbed and does not travel through the bloodstream.) Thus, patients may avoid systemic side effects that might accompany absorbed cholesterol-lowering drugs.

It's part of the bile acid sequestrant class -- a class that is well studied with a safety record spanning 30 years and proven outcomes data. It is also the only non-absorbed cholesterol-lowering agent FDA approved to be used in combination with any dose of any statin -- and the effects are greater then either therapy alone.

If you are doing a cholesterol story, please review the following and consider for inclusion. And please don't hesitate to contact us for further information. Thank you.

WelChol is non-systemic (it is not absorbed and does not travel through the bloodstream). Thus, patients may avoid systemic side effects that might accompany absorbed cholesterol-lowering drugs.

WelChol is the only non-systemic cholesterol-lowering agent FDA approved to be used in combination with any dose of any statin. WelChol has been studied with three top selling statins -- Lipitor, Zocor and Mevacor. Results demonstrated that co-administration of WelChol and statins can lower LDL cholesterol levels significantly better than using either therapy alone.

The bile acid sequestrant (BAS) class is well studied with a safety record spanning 30 years and proven outcomes data.

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Contact: Deborah Adams
dadams@hillandknowlton.com
212-885-0449
Hill and Knowlton
29-Oct-2002


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