About Type 2 Diabetes and High Cholesterol

WELCHOL is not for those with blood triglyceride levels of > 500 mg/dL

Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of diabetes¹

95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes^2,3

About 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese³

Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity, family history, and physical inactivity.³ Common symptoms of diabetes may include urinating often, feeling very thirsty, feeling very hungry (even though you are eating), extreme fatigue, blurry vision, cuts/bruises that are slow to heal, and tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and/or feet (type 2). However, some people with type 2 diabetes may not experience any symptoms.⁴

Type 2 diabetes in adults is a chronic condition that should be taken seriously

Type 2 diabetes can be associated with many serious health complications including⁵:

• Neuropathy (tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the feet and/or hands)
• Kidney disease
• Eye complications
• Skin complications
• High blood pressure
• Stroke

Welchol has not been shown to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, or any of the above risks.

Please see "What is Welchol^® (colesevelam HCl)" and "Important Safety Information about Welchol" below.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) explains that type 2 diabetes is a problem with the body that causes blood sugar levels to be high, either because the body doesn't make enough of the insulin hormone, or the body does not use insulin properly. When your body does not use insulin properly, this is called insulin resistance. At first, the pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time your pancreas isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood sugar levels normal. Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes (healthy eating and exercise), oral medications (pills), and as a last option, insulin.¹

A key to managing type 2 diabetes is controlling blood sugar levels

When managing type 2 diabetes, the ADA suggests these goals for most nonpregnant adults with diabetes. However, check with your doctor for the proper diabetes management for you.^6-8:

• An A1C of <7%
• Blood sugar levels (before meals) of: 80 to 130 mg/dL
• Blood sugar levels (1 to 2 hours after starting a meal): Less than 180 mg/dL

A1C and blood sugar targets are different for every type 2 diabetes patient and depends on various factors, some of which are:

• How long the patient has had diabetes
• Age
• Other disease states the patient has
• A condition known as CVD or advanced microvascular complications
• The occurrence of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

One way your healthcare provider measures your blood sugar levels is with a hemoglobin A1C test. It shows your average blood glucose levels over the last 3 months. It is the best way to monitor your overall blood sugar levels during this time and see how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.^7,9

Another step toward leading a healthy life with type 2 diabetes is learning some new habits. These include¹⁰:

• Choosing what, how much, and when to eat
• Getting physically active
• Checking your blood glucose (if your doctor prescribes it)
• Going to your doctors' appointments
• Learning all you can about diabetes
• Taking medicine as your doctor prescribes it

Remember to talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or exercise plan.