You'll also soon hear about Cordaptive

You'll start seeing prescriptions for Simcor, a new combination of simvastatin and Niaspan (extended-release niacin).

Think of it as a more potent alternative to Advicor.

Both Simcor and Advicor come in 3 strengths of niacin... 500, 750, and 1000 mg.

Each Simcor tab contains 20 mg simvastatin. Advicor contains 20 mg lovastatin...or 40 mg with the highest niacin dose.

Simvastatin 20 mg lowers LDL about 6% more than lovastatin 20 mg.

Consider Simcor for patients who don't reach lipid goals with either simvastatin or niacin alone...or as an alternative to Advicor.

Simcor will cost the same as getting Niaspan alone.

Tell patients to take Simcor at bedtime with a snack to reduce nausea and flushing from the niacin. Suggest taking aspirin 325 mg 30 minutes beforehand if flushing is still a problem.

Addendum April 28, 2008

On April 28, 2008, Merck received a "not approvable" letter from the FDA for their investigational drug Cordaptive (niacin/laropiprant). The reason for the FDA rejection has not been made public. Merck will continue to pursue approval for Cordaptive.

You'll also soon hear about Cordaptive.

It's a combo of extended-release niacin and a selective prostaglandin inhibitor called laropiprant.

Laropiprant is an alternative to aspirin to reduce flushing.

The hope is that it will work better than aspirin to reduce flushing...with a lower risk of GI bleeding. But this hasn't been proven yet.

We'll fill you in on more details when this drug hits the market...possibly in a few months.

• Other: New Formulation Simcor and the Investigational Drug Cordaptive