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ARA) - There’s more to managing cholesterol than just lowering your LDL. According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 80 million American adults have high LDL “bad” cholesterol, and more than 44 million Americans, or one in six, have low levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol the body uses like a broom to sweep the bad cholesterol from the blood.

“Managing cholesterol involves many things, not just lowering LDL. There is a serious need for medicines that both raise “good” cholesterol and lower the “bad” components of cholesterol,” says Christie Ballantyne, M.D., Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Abbott’s SIMCOR, a combination of two widely prescribed cholesterol therapies, Niaspan (Abbott’s proprietary niacin extended-release) and simvastatin, in a single pill. When used along with diet, SIMCOR treats “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and “good” cholesterol (HDL) when treatment with Niaspan or simvastatin monotherapies is considered inadequate.

“SIMCOR represents a new option to help patients reach their treatment goals and target all their cholesterol levels,” says Ballantyne.

More than 105 million Americans have total blood cholesterol levels at or above 200 mg/dL, which is considered high. Statin therapy, which has primarily been used to lower “bad” cholesterol, is an important treatment option, but many patients may need additional lipid treatments to help them reach their treatment goals. In order to manage all of your cholesterol levels you need to learn your numbers first.

This is why it’s important to know all of your cholesterol levels and talk with your doctor about how to manage them. Start by getting your cholesterol checked today.

For more information on SIMCOR and other treatment options, talk to your doctor or visit www.abbott.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

SIMCOR Indications

* SIMCOR is the combination of two cholesterol-lowering medications: niacin extended-release (Niaspan) and simvastatin. SIMCOR is used along with diet to lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides and to increase HDL “good” cholesterol.

* SIMCOR is used when treatment with simvastatin monotherapy or niacin extended-release monotherapy is considered inadequate, and when diet and other non-drug measures alone have not been successful. Patients should stay on a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol while taking this medication.

* No additional benefit of SIMCOR on heart disease over and above that shown for niacin alone and simvastatin alone has been demonstrated.

Important Safety Information About SIMCOR

* SIMCOR should not be used by people with liver problems, stomach ulcers, or serious bleeding problems; in women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or nursing; and in people allergic to any product ingredient.

* Patients should contact their health care provider if symptoms of unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness occur, as this may be a sign of a serious but rare muscle disorder, in which rare cases of death have occurred. Health care provider should be informed about any other medications, vitamins, or nutritional supplements people are taking to avoid possible serious drug interactions.

* SIMCOR should not be substituted for equivalent doses of immediate-release niacin. Liver damage has been reported when substituting sustained-release niacin products with immediate-release niacin at equivalent doses. Always check with a health care provider before changing medication.

* SIMCOR should be used with caution by patients who consume large amounts of alcohol. Health care providers may do simple blood tests before and during treatment with SIMCOR to check for liver problems.

* SIMCOR may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. Patients with diabetes should report any changes in blood sugar levels to their health care provider.

* Women of childbearing age should use an effective method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while using SIMCOR.

* Flushing (warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the skin) is the most common side effect and may become less frequent over time. Additional symptoms may include rapid or pronounced heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, chills, dizziness, fainting, and/or swelling. Flushing may vary in severity and is more likely to occur when starting therapy or during dose increases. By taking SIMCOR at bedtime, flushing will most likely occur during sleep. If awakened by flushing, patients should take their time getting up, especially if feeling dizzy, faint, or taking blood pressure medications.

* Other common side effects may include headache, itching, nausea, back pain, and diarrhea.

* More information about SIMCOR, including full prescribing information, is available on the Web site http://www.rxabbott.com/pdf/simcor_pi.pdf, or by calling Abbott Medical Information at (800) 633-9110.

Niaspan Indications

* Niaspan is indicated as an adjunct to diet when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate, to reduce elevated total cholesterol, LDL-C, Apo B, and triglyceride levels, and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

* In patients with a history of myocardial infarction and hypercholesterolemia, niacin is indicated to reduce the risk of recurrent non-fatal myocardial infarction.

* In patients with coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia, niacin, in combination with a bile acid binding resin, is indicated to slow progression or promote regression of atherosclerotic disease.

Important Safety Information About Niaspan

* Niaspan is contraindicated in patients with allergies to any of its ingredients, active peptic ulcer disease, significant or unexplained persistent liver dysfunction, or arterial bleeding.

* Niaspan should not be substituted for equivalent doses of immediate-release niacin.

* Niaspan should be prescribed with caution in patients who consume substantial amounts of alcohol and/or have a past history of liver disease. Liver function tests should be performed on all patients during therapy with Niaspan.

* Use of Niaspan with other lipid-altering medications called statins may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition that causes muscles to breakdown.

* The most common side effect with Niaspan is flushing of the skin.

* Patients with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar and report changes to their doctor.

* Other commonly reported side effects include indigestion, headache, pain, abdominal pain, nausea, itching, diarrhea, runny nose, vomiting and rash.

* More information about Niaspan, including full prescribing information, is available on the Web sites www.rxabbott.com/pdf/niaspan.pdf and www.niaspan.com, or by calling Abbott Medical Information at (800)633-9110.

Important Safety Information About Simvastatin

* Simvastatin is a prescription tablet and isn’t right for everyone, including women who are nursing or pregnant or who may become pregnant, and anyone with liver problems.

* Unexplained muscle pain or weakness could be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a rare but serious side effect and should be reported to a doctor right away.

* Simvastatin may interact with certain foods or other medicines including lipid-lowering medications called fibrates or niacin, increasing the risk of getting this serious side effect.

* Patients should tell their doctor about any other medications they are taking.

* The most common side effects are headache, abdominal pain, and constipation