Drug Interactions With Niacin Extended-Release/Simvastatin

A number of medications can interfere with niacin extended-release/simvastatin, including bile acid sequestrants, blood pressure medicines, and certain antibiotics and antifungals. Some niacin extended-release/simvastatin drug interactions could increase your risk for developing serious muscle problems (such as myopathy or rhabdomyolysis), while others can increase the drug levels in your blood.

Niacin Extended-Release/Simvastatin Interactions: An Introduction

Niacin extended-release/simvastatin (Simcor®) 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 niacin extended-release/simvastatin include:
 
  • Amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®)
  • Bile acid sequestrant cholesterol medications, including:

 

 

 

 

  • 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:

 

 

 

 

Some of these drug interactions may increase your risk for developing serious muscle problems (see Simcor and Muscle Pain). If you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if they are accompanied by a fever or feeling of illness) while taking niacin extended-release/simvastatin, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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