
Juvisync | sitagliptan and simvastatin
Medication Class: dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)
Manufacturer: Merck
Approval date: October 2011; Discontinued September 2013
What is Juvisync and how does it work
Juvisync is a combination pill that contains 100 mg of sitagliptin (Januvia) and 10, 20, or 40 mg of simvastatin (Zocor). Sitagliptin reduces blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes by inhibiting the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Simvastatin is a cholesterol reducer that works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase which is needed for the production of cholesterol in the liver.
What does Juvisync treat
Juvisync is used for treating individuals with type 2 diabetes who also require treatment with simvastatin due to elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, or a high risk of events related to heart disease.
Merck announced on September 26, 2013 that it will stop distribution and sale of Juvisync in the US for business reasons. The discontinuation is not due to safety or efficacy of Juvisync.
How effective is Juvisync
Juvisync is expected to have the same effectiveness as the individual components (sitagliptin and simvastatin).
Sitagliptin
Simvastatin
What are interesting facts about Juvisync
How is Juvisync dosed and administered
The recommended dose is one tablet by mouth once daily in the evening. Recommended starting dose is 100/40 mg or based on the dose of simvastatin currently being used (i.e., if taking 10, 20, or 40 mg of simvastatin then use the corresponding dose of Juvisync).
What are the side effects of Juvisync
Juvisync has the same side effects as its components.
Sitagliptin side effects
Common: Stomach upset, diarrhea, runny nose, sore throat, upper respiratory infection, headache.
Serious: Pancreatitis, allergic reactions (hives, rash, swelling of lips, face, throat and tongue).
Simvastatin side effects
Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, muscle pain, and abnormal liver tests.
Serious: Liver damage, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, pancreatitis.
Juvisync drug interactions
Juvisync has the same drug interactions as its components. These drug interactions result mostly from the simvastatin component. Combining Juvisync with other drugs that reduce blood glucose may increase the frequency of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
Large quantities of grape fruit juice (>1 quart daily), erythromycin (E-Mycin), clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin (Ketek), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), posaconazole (Noxafil), HIV protease inhibitors (Crixivan, Norvir), danazol (Danocrine), cyclosporine (Sandimmune), amiodarone (Cordarone), ranolazine (Ranexa), verapamil (Calan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), niacin (Niaspan), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and fenofibrate (Tricor), warfarin (Coumadin), cholestyramine.
What was the price of Juvisync
Juvisync will cost about $215 per month which is about the same cost as Januvia alone.
References: Juvisync FDA Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Additional Resources: Januvia | Janumet | Zocor
This medication summary is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider.
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