Is Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) still available?

No, Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

Why was Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) discontinued?

Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) was discontinued because the [FDA determined](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/04/18/2016-08894/abbvie-inc-withdrawal-of-approval-of-new-drug-applications-for-advicor-and-simcor) that adding niacin ER to simvastatin therapy didn't lower the risk of heart-related events (e.g., heart attack, stroke) any more than simvastatin alone. The manufacturer of the combination medication (AbbVie) then voluntarily withdrew it from the market.

What can I use instead of Simcor (niacin / simvastatin)?

Both of the active ingredients in Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) are still available as single-ingredient medications: [simvastatin (Zocor)](https://www.goodrx.com/simvastatin/what-is) and [niacin ER](https://www.goodrx.com/niacin-er/what-is). These medications can be used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. There are also many other medications available for lowering cholesterol. Talk to your provider about what the best treatment option might be for you.

Simcor

niacin and simvastatin

Used for High Cholesterol

Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) is a combination medication used to treat high cholesterol and triglycerides (fats). This medication has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Lobello Pearson, PharmD

Allison Gourley, PharmD

Last reviewed on June 5, 2022

What is Simcor (niacin / simvastatin)?

What is Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) used for?

High cholesterol
High triglycerides

Drug facts

Common Brands	Simcor(brand no longer available)
Drug Class	Antilipemic / Statin
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Discontinued

Common Brands

Simcor(brand no longer available)

Drug Class

Antilipemic / Statin

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Discontinued

Common questions about Simcor

Simcor is a combination of two medications: niacin extended release (ER) and simvastatin. Niacin works by affecting certain key pathways responsible for making cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. Simvastatin works by blocking cholesterol production in the liver. By working together, the two medications help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides.

No, Simcor has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

Simcor was discontinued because the FDA determined that adding niacin ER to simvastatin therapy didn't lower the risk of heart-related events (e.g., heart attack, stroke) any more than simvastatin alone. The manufacturer of the combination medication (AbbVie) then voluntarily withdrew it from the market.

Both of the active ingredients in Simcor are still available as single-ingredient medications: simvastatin (Zocor) and niacin ER. These medications can be used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. There are also many other medications available for lowering cholesterol. Talk to your provider about what the best treatment option might be for you.

Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) dosage

Typical dosage for Simcor (niacin / simvastatin)

Interactions between Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) and other drugs

Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Simcor (niacin / simvastatin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Amprenavir
Atazanavir
Boceprevir
Clarithromycin
Cobicistat
Cyclosporine
Danazol
Darunavir
Erythromycin
Fosamprenavir
Gemfibrozil
Idelalisib
Indinavir
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Letermovir
Lopinavir
Mibefradil
Mifepristone
Nefazodone
Nelfinavir
Paritaprevir
Posaconazole
Ritonavir
Saquinavir
Telaprevir
Telithromycin
Tipranavir
Voriconazole

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acenocoumarol
Amiodarone
Amlodipine
Atorvastatin
Azithromycin
Bempedoic Acid
Bezafibrate
Carbamazepine
Ceritinib
Cerivastatin
Ciprofibrate
Ciprofloxacin
Clofibrate
Colchicine
Conivaptan
Dabigatran Etexilate
Dalfopristin
Daptomycin
Darolutamide
Delavirdine
Diltiazem
Dronedarone
Duvelisib
Eltrombopag
Enasidenib
Eslicarbazepine Acetate
Fenofibrate
Fenofibric Acid
Fluconazole
Fosnetupitant
Fusidic Acid
Glecaprevir
Ivosidenib
Larotrectinib
Lefamulin
Leflunomide
Levamlodipine
Lomitapide
Lorlatinib
Lovastatin
Lumacaftor
Netupitant
Niacin
Pazopanib
Pibrentasvir
Pitavastatin
Quinupristin
Ranolazine
Risperidone
Rosuvastatin
Simeprevir
Simvastatin
Tadalafil
Teriflunomide
Verapamil
Warfarin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Albiglutide
Alitretinoin
Bosentan
Cilostazol
Clopidogrel
Digoxin
Efavirenz
Fosphenytoin
Fostemsavir
Interferon Beta
Levothyroxine
Oat Bran
Oxcarbazepine
Pectin
Phenytoin
Rifampin
St John's Wort
Ticagrelor
Warfarin

What are alternatives to Simcor (niacin / simvastatin)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Simcor (niacin / simvastatin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Simcor (niacin / simvastatin)

Used for:

High cholesterol
High triglycerides

View prices

Simvastatin

Used for:

High cholesterol in adults
High triglycerides in adults
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in adults
Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in people ages 10 years and older
Lowering the risk of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack, stroke) in adults at high risk

$9.07Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Niacin ER

Used for:

High cholesterol and high triglycerides
Lower risk of repeat heart attack in people with a history of heart attack and high cholesterol
Slow plaque buildup in the arteries of people with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and high cholesterol (as an add-on medication)
Severely high triglycerides in people who are at risk of pancreatitis (as an add-on medication)

$25.78Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

What is Simcor (niacin / simvastatin)?

What is Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) used for?

Drug facts

Common questions about Simcor

What is Simcor?

Is Simcor still available?

Why was Simcor discontinued?

What can I use instead of Simcor?

Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) dosage

Typical dosage for Simcor (niacin / simvastatin)

Interactions between Simcor (niacin / simvastatin) and other drugs

What are alternatives to Simcor (niacin / simvastatin)?

Common questions about Simcor

What is Simcor?

Is Simcor still available?

Why was Simcor discontinued?

What can I use instead of Simcor?