Simcor is a medication used to reduce your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This subsequently decreases your risk for developing coronary artery disease (blockage of the major vessel in your heart) and heart disease. According to Drugs.com, Simcor is a combination of the medications niacin and simvastatin. Typically, you will take 500 mg of Simcor daily during weeks one to four. During weeks five through eight, you will take 1,000 mg of Simcor daily, says the National Library of Medicine. In some cases, Simcor may be a combination of 500 mg of niacin and 20 mg of simvastatin. Your doctor will increase the dosage if your cholesterol levels do not improve after eight weeks.
Common Side Effects
In a controlled clinical trial of 403 patients receiving Simcor, the National Library of Medicine found that 4.5 percent of the studied population developed a headache, 3.2 percent developed pruritus (itching), nausea and back pain while 3.0 percent developed diarrhea. Drugs.com indicates that Simcor can also cause vomiting, redness or warmth underneath your skin, diaphoresis (sweating), a runny nose and diarrhea. Diarrhea and vomiting both result in fluid loss. This can subsequently cause dehydration and hypokalemia, or low potassium levels in your blood. Consume potassium-rich foods such as bananas and green vegetables. Drink seven to 10 glasses of water every day to replace your body fluid.
Serious Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, Simcor can cause myopathy (muscle pain) and rhabdomyolosis (skeletal muscle breakdown). Symptoms of rhabodomyolysis include severe muscle pain, dark-colored urine and muscle stiffness. Muscles contain myoglobin and when they break down, it is released into your blood and is filtered through your kidneys. Unfortunately, your kidneys cannot filter myoglobin well and too much myoglobin can lead to renal (kidney) failure. Simcor can also cause severe hepatotoxicity (liver failure) or hepatic necrosis (liver death). Signs of liver dysfunction include stomach pain, nausea and yellowing of your skin (jaundice). Simcor's other side effects include trouble breathing, tachycardia (fast heartbeat) and fainting spells. If you have any of these serious side effects, discontinue Simcor under your doctor's supervision and he will find a safer cholesterol-lowering medication for you.
Additional Concerns
Avoid Simcor if you are allergic to simvastatin or niacin. Potentially fatal side effects such as swelling of your face or throat and difficulty breathing may result. You should not drink alcohol when taking Simcor, says Drugs.com. The combination can cause further liver damage and flushing. Combining Simcor with amiodarone, danazol, cyclosporine, digoxin and fenofibrate can lead to the aforementioned side effects.
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