FDA OKs Pill for Diabetes and High Cholesterol
Combination Drug Called Juvisync Will Treat Type 2 Diabetes and Help Lower Cholesterol Levels
Reviewed by
Laura J. Martin, MD
Oct. 7, 2011 -- The FDA has approved the first combination pill for treating both type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
Juvisync, made by Merck, combines the drugmaker's diabetes pill Januvia (sitagliptin) with its popular cholesterol drug Zocor (simvastatin).
About 20 million people in the U.S. have type 2 diabetes. Many of those patients also have high cholesterol.
These conditions increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.
Combination Drug
Januvia enhances the body's ability to lower high blood sugar and is approved to fight type 2 diabetes in combination with diet and exercise.
Zocor is approved to reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol levels in combination with diet and exercise.
"This is the first product to combine a type 2 diabetes drug with a cholesterol lowering drug in one tablet," says the FDA's Mary H. Parks, MD, in a news release. "However, to ensure safe and effective use of this product, tablets containing different doses of [Januvia] and [Zocor] in fixed-dose combination have been developed to meet the different needs of individual patients. Dose selection should factor in what other drugs the patient is taking."
Juvisync will be available in several different dosage strengths to accommodate the needs of patients with varying levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.
Side Effects
The FDA says it recently has become aware of the potential for statins to increase blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, this risk is outweighed by the benefits of the combo pill in reducing heart disease, according to FDA. Prescribing information for Juvisync will educate doctors about this possible side effect.
The most common side effects of Juvisync include upper respiratory infection, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle and stomach pain, constipation, and nausea.
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Is This Normal?
Get the Facts Fast!Answer:
Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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