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Simcor

Simvastatin + Niacin

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User Ratings

Out of 10

Satisfaction

5.5

3.6 Effectiveness

5.2 Side Effects

3.6 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 8 Simcor side effects and 2 Simcor benefits.

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Treatment Information

Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

There is currently no information to display in this section. RateADrug provides information about drugs and supplements though a wiki format provided by researchers, health care providers and others. We encourage you to add to this description by clicking on the button below.

Common Uses:

Simcor (niacin extended-release/simvastatin) is a prescription medication used for treating unhealthy triglyceride or cholesterol levels. It contains two different cholesterol medications - simvastatin (Zocor) and extended-release niacin (Niaspan).

Because of the effects of simvastatin and niacin, Simcor can help decrease the following "bad" forms of cholesterol and fats:

Total cholesterol
LDL cholesterol
Apo B cholesterol
Non-HDL cholesterol
Triglycerides.

Simcor also increases HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol)

Off Label Uses:

Using Simcor to prevent heart or blood vessel disease (cardiovascular disease), heart attacks, strokes, or other such problems would be considered to be off-label uses of Simcor.

Side Effects:
When taking Simcor, if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if accompanied by a fever or feeling of illness), it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Some of the most common side effects of Simcor include:
Flushing
Headache
Itching
Nausea
Back pain
Diarrhea

Some of the serious side effects of Simcor include:

There are several side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:

Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or feel ill, since these may be signs of serious breakdown of muscle, known as rhabdomyolysis.
Significant, unexplained changes in the amount of urine you produce (which may be a sign of kidney problems)
Signs of liver damage, such as:
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
Upper-right abdominal pain (stomach pain)
Dark urine
High liver enzymes (found using a blood test)

Signs of a stomach ulcer, such as:
Severe heartburn
Stomach pain
Loss of appetite
Dizziness
Vomiting blood
Blood in the stool (seen as dark-colored stools)

Easy bruising or bleeding (or bleeding that is slow to stop)
Gout
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Signs of low blood pressure (hypotension), such as lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
A rash
Itching
Joint pain
Anemia
Low white blood cell counts
Sensitivity to the sun
Fever and chills
Flushing
A general ill feeling
Hives
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat.

Cautions / Warnings:

Some precautions and warnings to be aware of include:

Rhabdomyolysis (the severe breakdown of muscles) and other serious muscle problems have rarely been reported with Simcor and other statins. You are at greater risk for developing muscle problems, such as rhabdomyolysis, with Simcor if:

You have kidney damage
You are taking certain medications.
You drink grapefruit juice or use grapefruit products.
If you are an alcoholic or drink alcohol frequently, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to starting Simcor. Alcohol can affect the way the liver works, indirectly affecting the Simcor.

Statins (such as simvastatin, one of the components of Simcor) have been known to cause an increase in liver enzymes. Therefore, it is recommended that you have a blood test that looks at your liver function before starting Simcor and several months after treatment has started. These tests may also be recommended if the Simcor dosage is changed.

Make sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if it is with a fever or if you feel ill.

Simcor can increase blood sugar in people with diabetes. If you have diabetes, check with your healthcare provider before taking this medication.

Simcor can increase the level of uric acid in the blood, which can worsen (and possibly even cause) gout.

Simcor must be started at a low dose and increased gradually, in order to avoid intolerable flushing due to the niacin component (see Simcor Dosage and Niacin Flush for more information).

Simcor may increase the risk of bleeding, possibly due to decreased blood platelets.

Simcor is a pregnancy Category X medicine, meaning that it could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. The safety of Simcor in pregnant women has not been established. If you are pregnant and taking Simcor, talk to your healthcare provider immediately.

If you are nursing, it is not known whether Simcor passes through your milk. Therefore, if you are taking the drug, discuss with your healthcare provider whether to stop nursing or stop taking Simcor.

Drug Interactions:
Simcor (niacin extended-release/simvastatin) is a prescription cholesterol medication. Because it contains two different drugs, it has the potential to interact with quite a few other medications. Some of the medicines that may lead to drug interactions with Simcor include:

Amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®)

Bile acid sequestrant cholesterol medications, including:
Cholestyramine (Prevalite®, Questran®, Questran® Light)
Colesevelam (WelChol®)
Colestipol (Colestid®)

Blood pressure medications

Certain antibiotics, such as:
Erythromycin
Clarithromycin (Biaxin®)
Telithromycin (Ketek®)

Certain antifungals, such as:
Fluconazole (Diflucan®)
Itraconazole (Sporanox®)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral®)
Miconazole
Posaconazole (Noxafil®)
Voriconazole (VFEND®)
Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
Digoxin (Lanoxin®, Digitek®)
Danazol (Danocrine®)

Fibrates, such as:
Fenofibrate (Antara™, Lofibra™, Tricor®, Triglide™)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid®)
Grapefruit juice
Nefazodone (Serzone®)

Protease inhibitors, such as:
Amprenavir (Agenerase®)
Atazanavir (Reyataz®)
Darunavir (Prezista™)
Fosamprenavir (Lexiva®)
Indinavir (Crixivan®)
Lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra®)
Nelfinavir (Viracept®)
Ritonavir (Norvir®)
Saquinavir (Invirase®)
Tipranavir (Aptivus®)

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How does your Treatment Compare?

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Show results for:

Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
Zocor	7.63	5.59	1.97	30
Crestor	6.84	5.09	2.79	44
Lovastatin	6.62	4.5	2.5	21
Simvastatin	6.16	4.38	2.71	83
Lipitor	5.65	4.26	4.19	136
Simcor	4.33	3.48	3.84	12

View All	About these Scores
	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Simcor by Condition

Click on a condition to view RateADrug.com users ratings

High Cholesterol

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "High Cholesterol"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

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Mildly

Moderately

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How effective is Simcor?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Simcor, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	0%	0%	90.5%	9.5%	0%
Balance/Equilibrium	0%	19%	66.7%	14.3%	0%
Blood Pressure	0%	4.8%	90.5%	0%	4.8%
Breathing	4.8%	4.8%	90.5%	0%	0%
Confidence	4.8%	9.5%	76.2%	4.8%	4.8%
Coordination/Motor Skills	4.8%	4.8%	85.7%	4.8%	0%
Digestion	0%	9.5%	81%	4.8%	4.8%
Emotional Well-being	9.5%	9.5%	71.4%	4.8%	4.8%
Energy	4.5%	13.6%	72.7%	4.5%	4.5%
Eyesight	0%	14.3%	81%	4.8%	0%
Memory	0%	22.7%	63.6%	13.6%	0%
Mental Clarity	0%	9.5%	81%	4.8%	4.8%
Pain	4.8%	9.5%	76.2%	9.5%	0%
Patience	0%	14.3%	76.2%	9.5%	0%
Sexual Health	4.8%	0%	85.7%	4.8%	4.8%
Skin Complexion	4.8%	14.3%	76.2%	4.8%	0%
Sleep	13.6%	18.2%	59.1%	0%	9.1%
Stress Level	4.8%	9.5%	76.2%	4.8%	4.8%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Simcor Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Abdominal Pain	89.5%	0%	5.3%	5.3%	0%
Allergic Reaction	85.7%	0%	4.8%	4.8%	4.8%
Anxiety	50%	0%	50%	0%	0%
Bloating	73.3%	13.3%	0%	13.3%	0%
Blurred Vision	50%	50%	0%	0%	0%
Breathing Difficulties	50%	50%	0%	0%	0%
Confusion	50%	50%	0%	0%	0%
Constipation	78.9%	0%	0%	10.5%	10.5%
Depression	50%	0%	50%	0%	0%
Diarrhea	77.3%	4.5%	13.6%	4.5%	0%
Dizziness	63.6%	9.1%	13.6%	9.1%	4.5%
Drowsiness	81.8%	0%	9.1%	9.1%	0%
Fatigue	77.3%	4.5%	13.6%	4.5%	0%
Gas	77.3%	4.5%	13.6%	4.5%	0%
Headache	85.7%	4.8%	0%	9.5%	0%
Hot Flashes / Flushing	45.5%	9.1%	18.2%	13.6%	13.6%
Insomnia	68.2%	4.5%	18.2%	4.5%	4.5%
Mood Swings	50%	50%	0%	0%	0%
Muscle / Joint Pain	58.8%	11.8%	17.6%	0%	11.8%
Muscle Cramping	0%	0%	100%	0%	0%
Nausea	85.7%	4.8%	4.8%	4.8%	0%
Sensitivity to Light	50%	0%	50%	0%	0%
Sexual Dysfunction	50%	0%	0%	50%	0%
Stomach Ache	50%	0%	50%	0%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Less Commonly Reported Simcor Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Amnesia / Memory Loss	72.7%	9.1%	13.6%	4.5%	0%
Concentration / Focus Problems	75%	10%	10%	5%	0%
Diabetes	94.1%	0%	5.9%	0%	0%
Discolored Urine	81%	4.8%	9.5%	4.8%	0%
Elevated Blood Sugar	88.2%	11.8%	0%	0%	0%
Muscle / Joint Pain	50%	0%	0%	0%	50%
Nerve Pain / Damage	76.2%	9.5%	4.8%	9.5%	0%
Reduced Libido	91.7%	0%	0%	8.3%	0%
Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle fibers)	95.2%	0%	0%	4.8%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Episodes since taking Simcor

Since taking Simcor Rate a Drug survey participants reported these episodes:

Hospitalization

3.2%

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the percentage of users who have experienced any of these episodes while taking their medication. Close

How does your experience compare with other Simcor users?

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User Comments about Simcor

20 Jun 2012

I'm not sure the benefits are enough to justify the side effects.

—Posted by Anonymous

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06 Oct 2011

Experienced moderate flushing during my first usage but it occured 12 hours after taking the pill. It was a scary experience because I thought any side effects would hit a lot sooner. Flushing occurred about 4 hours after taking a pill the second day; this time I noticed my knees and ankles turning red - flushing was limited to face, neck, arms the first day. Both times I took benadryl and the flushing ended in about an hour. Now, I stopped after the second dose because I noticed the back and sides of my thighs and claves (very muscular) looked as if the blood had been drained from them (pale white) with purple splotches. My doctor's nurse told me to continue taking but I refuse until I can speak directly with my doctor. No, this has nothing to do with status - the nurse has been great but I want to see the look on the doctor's face when I describe how I felt. A person's facial reaction can tell you a lot; I'm sure he's not going to prescribe something I don't need however there may be alternatives.

—Posted by Anonymous

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28 Apr 2011

don't like it

—Posted by Anonymous

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12 Apr 2011

I have been on Simcor @1000mg/20mg for 1 year and my test results in the lab are meeting mine and Dr.'s goals set but I emphasize lab reports. I am curious if anyone has had any physical effects such as tingling and numbness of the fingers especially at nightime. I also have a servere pain in the "funny bone" area. Mine is very sensitive to touch and often is painful if I have to lift anything above 25 lbs. I am 64 and never have had these sensations until I believe I started with Simcor. I decided to stop the medication 2 weeks ago and I have noticed a large drop in the evening pain associated during the night. I have not been woken up once in these two weeks. I can only associate this drop to my dropping the medication. Has anyone had any similar results?

—Posted by Greg

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27 Apr 2011

I am experiencing muscle pain in the left knee joint. the pain feels more intense in the back of the calf. I am going to stop taking it to see if the pain subsides.

—Posted by Dann

07 Mar 2011

The constipation i have experienced since I started taking Simcor is the first in my life. I have always included plenty of fiber in my diet, drink alot of water, and excercise regularly. Now I am supplementing that with fiber capsules and a stool softener. I still experience constipation at least once a week (3 days without a bowel movement).

—Posted by Anonymous

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