 Taking simvastatin/niacin (Simcor)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed a combination drug that contains an HMG coenzyme A inhibitor (simvastatin) and an extended release vitamin (niacin) to help reduce your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. By acting in two ways to lower your lipid levels, it can be more effective than a single agent. The brand name of this drug is Simcor.
How you will take Simcor
You should take Simcor once a day, at bedtime with a low fat snack. Don’t take on an empty stomach. Don’t cut, crush or chew the tablets, they need to be swallowed whole.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take the next dose as soon as you remember. Don’t make up or double up doses; don’t take more than one dose each day. If you miss several doses, contact your health care provider.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: headache, flushing, muscle pain
Less common: diarrhea, constipation, dizziness
What you must know about other medications
Many other drugs can have an effect on how this drug works in your body; tell all the health care providers caring for you that you are on this drug so you can be monitored for the possible need to adjust dosages. Some of the drugs that could cause a problem include: digoxin, cyclosporine, danazol, amiodarone, verapamil, gemfibrozil, warfarin, antidiabetic agents. If you are taking any of these drugs, discuss this with your health care providers.
Special directions
- Take this drug once each day at bedtime. Don’t cut, crush or chew the tablet. Don’t take the drug on an empty stomach. Take with a low fat snack.
- Continue to follow diet and exercise regimens that have been prescribed.
- If you are a diabetic, be aware that this drug may alter the control of your blood sugar. You will need to monitor yourself carefully while on this drug.
- Taking aspirin or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as ibuprofen) about 30 minutes before taking the drug can decrease the flushing that occurs. Discuss which medication to use with your health care provider.
- Avoid alcohol, hot beverages or spicy food around the time you take your tablet to help to decrease flushing.
- Avoid drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice (a quart per day) while on this drug, severe drug toxicity could occur.
Keep in mind
- Niacin is a vitamin. If you wish to take vitamins or other nutritional supplements, check their niacin content to make sure you don’t take too much.
- You will need to have periodic blood tests done to track your lipid levels.
- This drug has been shown to harm and even cause death of a fetus. You should use contraceptive measures while you are on this drug. If you should become pregnant while taking this drug, consult with your health care provider.
- It is not known how this drug could affect a nursing baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, another method of feeding the baby should be used while you are on this drug.
- If dizziness should occur, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery and check with your health care provider.
- Notify your health care provider if you develop dizziness, changes in color or urine or stool, unexpected muscle pain or weakness, fever, yellowing of the eyes or skin.
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