Generic Name: simvastatin and sitagliptin (SIM va stat in and SIT a GLIP tin)
Brand Names: Juvisync
What is simvastatin and sitagliptin?
Simvastatin is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, or "statin." Simvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).
Sitagliptin is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. It works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating.
The combination of simvastatin and sitagliptin is for people with type 2 diabetes diabetes who also have high cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Simvastatin and sitagliptin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.
Simvastatin and sitagliptin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about simvastatin and sitagliptin?
Simvastatin and sitagliptin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to simvastatin (Zocor) or sitagliptin (Januvia), if you have liver disease or severe kidney disease, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not use this medication if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin). In rare cases, simvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Before taking simvastatin and sitagliptin, tell your doctor if you have underactive thyroid, a history of pancreatitis, liver disease, or kidney disease, if you are of Chinese descent, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily
There are many other drugs that should not be used together with simvastatin and sitagliptin. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with simvastatin and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Do not drink more than 1 quart of grapefruit juice daily.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking simvastatin and sitagliptin?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to simvastatin (Zocor) or sitagliptin (Januvia), if you have liver disease or severe kidney disease, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not use this medication if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin). In rare cases, simvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
There are many other drugs that can cause serious or life threatening medical problems if you take them together with simvastatin and sitagliptin. The following drugs should not be used while you are taking simvastatin and sitagliptin:
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
danazol (Danocrine);
gemfibrozil (Lopid);
nefazodone (an antidepressant);
the antibiotics clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), and telithromycin (Ketek);
the antifungal medications itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and posaconazole (Noxafil); or
the HIV/AIDS medications atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus).
Before you start taking simvastatin and sitagliptin, tell your doctor if you are already using any of these other medicines:
amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide);
diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
ranolazine (Ranexa); or
verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan).
To make sure you can safely take simvastatin and sitagliptin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
a history of liver or kidney disease;
a history of pancreatitis;
underactive thyroid; or
if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take simvastatin and sitagliptin if you are pregnant. Stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking simvastatin and sitagliptin It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using simvastatin and sitagliptin.
How should I take simvastatin and sitagliptin?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Simvastatin and sitagliptin is usually taken once daily in the evening.
Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Swallow it whole.
Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.
Check your blood sugar carefully during a time of stress or illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change. Ask your doctor how to adjust your dose if needed. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.
Simvastatin and sitagliptin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
See also: Juvisync dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking simvastatin and sitagliptin?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with simvastatin and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Do not drink more than 1 quart of grapefruit juice daily.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Simvastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood sugar and may increase your risk of liver damage while taking this medicine.
Simvastatin and sitagliptin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking the medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;
swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all;
severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, fast heart rate;
itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
mild stomach pain, mild nausea;
constipation, diarrhea; or
headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect simvastatin and sitagliptin?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
colchicine (Colcrys);
digoxin (Lanoxin);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
antifungal medication such as voriconazole (Vfend);
medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others); or
any other "statin" medication such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or other medication that contains simvastatin (Simcor, Vytorin).
Although sitagliptin is not as likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as some other oral diabetes medications, tell your doctor if you are taking any other drugs that can potentially lower blood sugar, such as:
probenecid (Benemid);
some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);
sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP, and others);
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);
beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); or
an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol, Metaglip), glimepiride (Amaryl, Avandaryl, Duetact), glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase, Glucovance), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with simvastatin and sitagliptin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Juvisync resources
- Juvisync Side Effects (in more detail)
- Juvisync Dosage
- Juvisync Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Juvisync Drug Interactions
- Juvisync Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Juvisync - Add your own review/rating
- Juvisync Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Juvisync Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Juvisync MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Juvisync Consumer Overview
Compare Juvisync with other medications
- Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
- Diabetes, Type 2
- High Cholesterol
- High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous
- High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about simvastatin and sitagliptin.
See also: Juvisync side effects (in more detail)
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