Type of medicine: HMG CoA reductase inhibitor/DPP-4 inhibitor; antilipemic/antidiabetic
Generic and brand names: simvastatin/sitagliptin, oral; Juvisync
This medicine is a combination of 2 medicines. Sitagliptin is taken by mouth to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Simvastatin lowers total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in adults when diet alone has not worked. It may also raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
This medicine may be used along with other medicines.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have an infection or are scheduled to have surgery. Also tell your provider if you get sick or are injured. Your medicine dose may need to be adjusted.
Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. Use an effective birth control method while you are taking this medicine. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may take this medicine with or without food.
Take this medicine in the evening. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not break, cut, or split them.
You need to follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and a regular exercise program to help reduce your cholesterol level. Follow your healthcare provider's directions.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: strong hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizures, fainting, coma.
Follow the diet and exercise program prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider will want to test your blood sugar levels regularly. You may be able to test your blood sugar at home using a blood glucose meter. Follow your provider's advice exactly. Your healthcare provider may also do other tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
While you are taking this medicine, report any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to your healthcare provider right away, especially if you also have a fever or unusual tiredness.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects.
This medicine is not likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, low blood sugar can also occur if you miss or delay meals, drink too much alcohol, take too much medicine, exercise more than usual, or if you also take certain types of other diabetes medicine. Symptoms of low blood sugar include confusion, shaking, weakness, strong hunger, cold sweats, headache, nausea, vision problems, and feeling faint. Treat the condition quickly by eating or drinking something with sugar in it such as candy, juice, or nondiet soda. Taking glucose tablets or glucose gel (available in drug stores) is another quick way to treat hypoglycemia. If you have low blood sugar often, contact your healthcare provider to find out if you need a dosage adjustment.
Alcohol may affect your response to medicine and food. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or unusual tiredness; sudden weakness on one side of your body; sudden trouble walking or loss of balance; yellowing of your skin or eyes; severe nausea or vomiting; dark urine or trouble urinating; pale stools; severe skin rash or itching; severe confusion, shaking, weakness, strong hunger, cold sweats, headache, vision problems, feeling faint, severe nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, severe stomach or back pain; unusual swelling in hands or feet.
Other: Mild nausea or stomach pain, pain or burning when you urinate, gas, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, mild tiredness, trouble sleeping, depression, mild muscle or joint pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Many nonprescription products may interfere with this medicine or affect your blood sugar. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice.
The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
