Drug & supplement interaction

Artichoke + Colesevelam

Colesevelam brand names: WelChol, Lodalis.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Artichoke and Colesevelam in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Colesevelam states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Artichoke and Colesevelam

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Colesevelam and Artichoke in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Artichoke safety at a glance

Artichoke overall Use caution Generally well tolerated as a food and short-term supplement, but quality and dosing vary by product.
Pregnancy Avoid Not enough safety information exists, so it is best avoided in supplement form during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Avoid Safety during breastfeeding has not been established, so it is best avoided.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Colesevelam and Artichoke? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Colesevelam

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Colesevelam is filed under a single classification — oral drugs. Artichoke has documented interactions with 4 drug classes — the most serious being antidiabetes drugs (moderate), antihypertensive drugs (moderate) and cytochrome p450 2b6 (cyp2b6) substrates (moderate) — and none of Colesevelam’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Artichoke Does Interact With Other Medications

Artichoke has 363 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Colesevelam isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 363 No known interaction 2,467 (incl. Colesevelam)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Artichoke

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Artichoke. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Artichoke and Colesevelam May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 2 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • A bowel blockage Worth acting on Additional detail

    Artichoke

    “Orally, artichoke extract might increase abdominal discomfort, flatulence, diarrhea, hunger, and nausea in some patients. Abdominal pain and a bitter taste in the mouth were reported by a single person following oral use of a dietary supplement containing artichoke extract, as well as red yeast rice, pine bark extract, and garlic extract.”

    Artichoke · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    5 sources cited
    1. 2562. Walker AF, Middleton RW, Petrowicz O. Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study. Phytother Res 2001;15:58-61. PubMed
    2. 52238. Held C. Von der 1. Deutsche-Ungarischen Phytopharmakon-Konferenz, Budapest, 20. November 1991. Z Klin Med 1992;47:92-93.
    3. 91475. Huber R, Müller M, Naumann J, Schenk T, Lüdtke R. Artichoke leave extract for chronic hepatitis C - a pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2009 Sep;16(9):801-4. PubMed
    4. 89452. Barrat E, Zaïr Y, Ogier N, et al. A combined natural supplement lowers LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate untreated hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013;64(7):882-9. PubMed
    5. 97716. Caputo F, Barranco R, Bonsignore A, Fraternali Orcioni G, Ventura F. A rare case of fatal bowel obstruction secondary to a colonic bezoar. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2018;39(1):38-40. PubMed

    Colesevelam

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Colesevelam. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Artichoke

    “Artichoke can cause an allergic reaction in some patients. Patients sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family may be at the greatest risk. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other herbs. Topically, allergic contact dermatitis can occur with the use of artichoke. This has been attributed to the constituent cynaropicrin (11,52206,52226,52230).”

    Artichoke · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

    6 sources cited
    1. 11. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
    2. 52206. Romano, C., Ferrara, A., and Falagiani, P. A case of allergy to globe artichoke and other clinical cases of rare food allergy. J Investig.Allergol.Clin Immunol. 2000;10(2):102-104.
    3. 52226. Meding, B. Allergic contact dermatitis from artichoke, Cynara scolymus. Contact Dermatitis 1983;9(4):314.
    4. 52230. Quirce, S., Tabar, A. I., Olaguibel, J. M., and Cuevas, M. Occupational contact urticaria syndrome caused by globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus). J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1996;97(2):710-711. PubMed
    5. 11774. Pittler MH, White AR, Stevinson C, Ernst E. Effectiveness of artichoke extract in preventing alcohol-induced hangovers: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 2003;169:1269-73.
    6. 91475. Huber R, Müller M, Naumann J, Schenk T, Lüdtke R. Artichoke leave extract for chronic hepatitis C - a pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2009 Sep;16(9):801-4. PubMed

    Colesevelam

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Colesevelam. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Bloating or gas / Stomach pain / Nausea Additional detail

    Artichoke

    “Orally, artichoke extract seems to be well tolerated.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Orally: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, hunger, and nausea.

    Topically: Contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    Orally: Anaphylaxis to artichoke inulin has been reported in individuals sensitive to inulin.

    Topically: Chest tightness, cough, and dyspnea after occupational exposure in sensitive i…”

    Artichoke · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cough.

    Colesevelam

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Colesevelam. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Stomach upset Additional detail

    Artichoke

    Recorded for Artichoke in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A bowel blockage above.

    Colesevelam

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Colesevelam. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • A skin rash Additional detail

    Artichoke

    Recorded for Artichoke in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Bloating or gas / Stomach pain / Nausea above.

    Colesevelam

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Colesevelam. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Artichoke but not commonly for Colesevelam: a severe allergic reaction, chest pain, a change in taste and diarrhea.

Effects for Colesevelam come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Artichoke come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 2,014 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Colesevelam that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

How to take them

Some Colesevelam Products Have a Food Rule — Artichoke Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Colesevelam says to take it with food. If you take Artichoke on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Colesevelam with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Colesevelam products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

Colesevelam hydrochloride should be taken as follows ( 2.2 , 2.4 ): Tablets Take 6 tablets once daily or 3 tablets twice daily with a meal and liquid.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Colesevelam — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

Overlapping uses

What Colesevelam Is Prescribed For, and What Artichoke Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Colesevelam is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Artichoke is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Colesevelam is prescribed for: Colesevelam is used alongside diet and exercise to reduce high LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) in adults with primary hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). It is also approved to lower LDL cholesterol in boys and girls aged 10–17 who have heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) — an inherited condition that causes very high cholesterol — when diet and lifestyle changes alone haven't worked. Colesevelam tablets and oral suspension (Welchol and colesevelam hydrochloride products) are also used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, as an add-on to diet and exercise. Colesevelam is not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Artichoke has been studied for:

  • Hyperlipidemia Natural Medicines rates the evidence for Artichoke: Possibly Effective Read what the research shows

    Artichoke for hyperlipidemia

    Most research shows that oral artichoke lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with hyperlipidemia. However, frozen artichoke juice does not appear to have these effects.

  • Diabetes studied, not established Artichoke has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Artichoke for diabetes

    Several small clinical studies suggest that oral artichoke extract may slightly reduce fasting blood glucose, but may not improve glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) or other measures of glycemic control, in patients with diabetes.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Colesevelam on your own; if you are taking Artichoke for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

From our Q&A

Questions About Artichoke or Colesevelam

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Artichoke or Colesevelam, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Colesevelam

This page covers Artichoke only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Colesevelam page lists 17 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Coffee Charcoal (moderate), European Mandrake (moderate), Glucomannan (moderate) and Guar Gum (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 7 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Colesevelam page

“Colesevelam (WelChol, Lodalis) lowers cholesterol by binding bile acids in your gut, and every one of the 17 supplements on this list can interfere with how oral medicines are absorbed in that same territory. I would treat this list with genuine care, and the place to start is activated charcoal, the only major-rated entry.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Colesevelam interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Artichoke as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 1,715 real supplement products containing Artichoke, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Artichoke. Even though Artichoke itself has no known interaction with Colesevelam, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Artichoke and Colesevelam Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Artichoke
Top 25%

#146 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Colesevelam
Steady interest

#1,967 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Artichoke reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Artichoke and Colesevelam records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Artichoke

What is Artichoke?

Artichoke
  • High cholesterol
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Constipation and bloating
  • Liver and gallbladder support
  • General digestive health

Artichoke leaf extract is a generally well-tolerated supplement that may have a mild cholesterol-lowering effect and is often used for indigestion, though the evidence is modest. It is not a replacement for proven treatments, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you have a medical condition.

Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus · Asteraceae · Leaves (most common in supplements); also flower buds and roots · Capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, tea, and as a food (the edible flower bud)

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Artichoke is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Artichoke record says about it on its own.

Artichoke: dosing

There is no single official dose for artichoke supplements. The right amount depends on the specific product and the type of extract used, since the strength can vary widely between brands.The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and choose a reputable, standardized product.

From our Artichoke monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Artichoke monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Colesevelam

What Is Colesevelam Used For?

Brand names: WelChol, Lodalis

Colesevelam is used alongside diet and exercise to reduce high LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) in adults with primary hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). It is also approved to lower LDL cholesterol in boys and girls aged 10–17 who have heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) — an inherited condition that causes very high cholesterol — when diet and lifestyle changes alone haven't worked.

Colesevelam tablets and oral suspension (Welchol and colesevelam hydrochloride products) are also used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, as an add-on to diet and exercise. Colesevelam is not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Colesevelam

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (2,014 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Diarrhea 241 reports
Dyspnea 172 reports
Cough 169 reports
Muscle spasms 163 reports
Nasopharyngitis 150 reports
See full Colesevelam drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Artichoke

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Artichoke — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
363Moderate
0Minor
2,466No known interaction
363 Moderate 2,466 No interaction
Moderate

363 interactions

Showing 60 of 363 moderate interactions — see all 363 on the Artichoke page.

No interaction 2,466 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Artichoke against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,466 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Artichoke list.

See the full Artichoke interactions page
See every supplement checked against Colesevelam, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Artichoke References

The 16 references that drive our Artichoke monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. Walker AF, Middleton RW, Petrowicz O. Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study. Phytother Res 2001;15:58-61. PubMed
  3. Pittler MH, White AR, Stevinson C, Ernst E. Effectiveness of artichoke extract in preventing alcohol-induced hangovers: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 2003;169:1269-73.
  4. Romano, C., Ferrara, A., and Falagiani, P. A case of allergy to globe artichoke and other clinical cases of rare food allergy. J Investig.Allergol.Clin Immunol. 2000;10(2):102-104.
  5. Miralles, J. C., Garcia-Sells, J., Bartolome, B., and Negro, J. M. Occupational rhinitis and bronchial asthma due to artichoke (Cynara scolymus). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;91(1):92-95. PubMed
  6. Franck, P., Moneret-Vautrin, D. A., Morisset, M., Kanny, G., Megret-Gabeaux, M. L., and Olivier, J. L. Anaphylactic reaction to inulin: first identification of specific IgEs to an inulin protein compound. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2005;136(2):155-158. PubMed
  7. Meding, B. Allergic contact dermatitis from artichoke, Cynara scolymus. Contact Dermatitis 1983;9(4):314.
  8. Quirce, S., Tabar, A. I., Olaguibel, J. M., and Cuevas, M. Occupational contact urticaria syndrome caused by globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus). J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1996;97(2):710-711. PubMed
  9. Held C. Von der 1. Deutsche-Ungarischen Phytopharmakon-Konferenz, Budapest, 20. November 1991. Z Klin Med 1992;47:92-93.
  10. Barrat E, Zaïr Y, Ogier N, et al. A combined natural supplement lowers LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate untreated hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013;64(7):882-9. PubMed
  11. Huber R, Müller M, Naumann J, Schenk T, Lüdtke R. Artichoke leave extract for chronic hepatitis C - a pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2009 Sep;16(9):801-4. PubMed
  12. Caputo F, Barranco R, Bonsignore A, Fraternali Orcioni G, Ventura F. A rare case of fatal bowel obstruction secondary to a colonic bezoar. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2018;39(1):38-40. PubMed
  13. Elsebai MF, Abass K, Hakkola J, Atawia AR, Farag MA. The wild Egyptian artichoke as a promising functional food for the treatment of hepatitis C virus as revealed via UPLC-MS and clinical trials. Food Funct. 2016;7(7):3006-16. PubMed
  14. Moradi M, Sohrabi G, Golbidi M, et al. Effects of artichoke on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med 2021;57:102668. PubMed
  15. Jalili C, Moradi S, Babaei A, et al. Effects of Cynara scolymus L. on glycemic indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med 2020;52:102496. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Artichoke and Colesevelam Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Artichoke with Colesevelam?
We do not list a known interaction between Artichoke and Colesevelam. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Artichoke and Colesevelam have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 7 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Should I take Artichoke and Colesevelam at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Colesevelam says to take it with food. If you take Artichoke on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Colesevelam with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Colesevelam products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Are Artichoke and Colesevelam used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Artichoke in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Colesevelam is being adjusted to a target.
How was the Artichoke and Colesevelam combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Colesevelam is filed under 1 classification, and Artichoke has documented interactions with 4 drug classes — none of Colesevelam's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Artichoke interact with any other medications?
Yes. Artichoke has 363 documented drug interactions in our database — Colesevelam is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Colesevelam interact with any supplements?
Yes. Colesevelam has documented interactions with 17 supplements in our database — Artichoke is not one of them. The Colesevelam interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Artichoke monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Colesevelam drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Colesevelam supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Colesevelam, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 16 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Colesevelam and Artichoke?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.