Juvisync (sitagliptin and simvastatin) tablets — DISCONTINUED brand
Pronunciation: joo-vee-sink sit-a-GLIP-tin SIM-va-stat-in.
- Generic name
- sitagliptin and simvastatin
- Brand names
- JUVISYNC
- Drug class
- Dipeptidyl peptidase‑4 (DPP‑4) inhibitor and HMG‑CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) combination
- Form
- Bilayer tablet (do not split)
- Route
- Oral (tablet)
- Legal status
- Legal-status classification not explicitly stated in the supplied research notes; not asserted here pending confirmation.
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country:
Australia: · Full directory
What sitagliptin and simvastatin is and how it works
Juvisync was a fixed‑dose combination tablet containing sitagliptin (a DPP‑4 inhibitor) and simvastatin (a statin) for adults with type 2 diabetes who needed both blood‑glucose lowering and cholesterol management. The brand is no longer distributed; the manufacturer’s decision was commercial and not due to safety concerns. (1)
Juvisync is not currently available. People who were taking it can discuss with their prescriber whether continuing sitagliptin and simvastatin as separate tablets is appropriate. This page describes the historical FDA‑approved label; it is not a current treatment recommendation.
Mechanism of action: how sitagliptin and simvastatin works
Sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor; simvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). A detailed mechanism-of-action description beyond these drug classes was not included in the supplied research notes. (1)
What sitagliptin and simvastatin is used for
Type 2 diabetes mellitus with dyslipidemia
Juvisync was indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes when treatment with both sitagliptin and simvastatin was appropriate, targeting both glycemic control and reduction of elevated cholesterol. (1)
Before taking sitagliptin and simvastatin
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases was a contraindication to Juvisync. Anyone in this situation should be assessed by their prescriber, who will determine what treatment is appropriate. (all patients) (1)
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, nefazodone, cobicistat‑containing products), gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, and danazol were contraindicated with Juvisync. Anyone taking or being considered for one of these medicines should tell their prescriber so that use of the interacting medicines can be reviewed together. (all patients) (1)
- Juvisync was contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Anyone who is pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should discuss this with a prescriber promptly for advice on appropriate treatment. (all patients) (1)
- A serious allergic reaction to sitagliptin, simvastatin, or any tablet ingredient was a contraindication to Juvisync. Anyone with a known reaction to either ingredient should discuss treatment options with a prescriber. (all patients) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any history of pancreatitis, liver problems, kidney disease, or muscle pain/tenderness.
- If you are over 65 years, have hypothyroidism, or take other medicines that may interact with simvastatin (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem, amiodarone, amlodipine).
- If you take a sulfonylurea or insulin, because the risk of low blood sugar may increase.
- If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
How to take sitagliptin and simvastatin
- Juvisync was taken once daily in the evening, as a single tablet. The bilayer tablet must not be split.
- The usual starting dose was 100 mg sitagliptin/40 mg simvastatin, but the prescriber would individualise the dose based on blood glucose and cholesterol levels, typically reviewing the lipid response after 4 weeks.
- The maximum simvastatin component was 40 mg daily, unless a lower cap was required due to interacting medicines (see interactions).
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
No specific missed‑dose instruction is available for the discontinued brand; consult a healthcare professional for advice on sitagliptin and simvastatin dosing. Do not self‑adjust or take extra tablets.
Overdose
No specific overdose information is provided for this discontinued product. If an overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or seek emergency care.
Side effects
The common adverse effects listed below are from the historical prescribing information. The drug is no longer distributed, but the information may apply to the individual components.
Stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea
What to notice: Digestive upset, discomfort.
What to do: Usually mild; if persistent or severe, talk to your doctor. (1)
Headache
What to notice: Head pain.
What to do: Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if headaches are frequent, severe, or persistent. (1)
Upper respiratory symptoms
What to notice: Congestion, runny nose, sore throat.
What to do: Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if severe or persistent. (1)
Erectile dysfunction, sleep disturbance
What to notice: Difficulty with erections or changes in sleep pattern.
What to do: Discuss with your doctor; these effects were reported in Juvisync clinical trials. (1)
Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
What to notice: Muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by fever or malaise.
What to do: Contact your doctor immediately; could be a sign of serious muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis). (1)
Symptoms of pancreatitis
What to notice: Severe upper stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, possibly radiating to back.
What to do: Seek medical attention promptly; sitagliptin has been linked to pancreatitis. (1)
Liver problems
What to notice: Signs of a liver problem.
What to do: Contact your doctor promptly; liver enzyme elevations may occur. (1)
Serious warnings
Myopathy/rhabdomyolysis — emergency
Symptoms: Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly with fever or malaise.
Action: Seek emergency medical care. The risk increases with higher simvastatin doses, age over 65, kidney problems, and certain drug interactions. (1)
Acute pancreatitis — emergency
Symptoms: Severe abdominal pain that may radiate to back, nausea, vomiting.
Action: Seek immediate medical evaluation if pancreatitis is suspected. (Note: a clinician should guide any treatment changes.) (1)
Liver enzyme elevation — urgent
Symptoms: No specific symptom profile was established in the supplied research notes; persistent liver enzyme elevations may be identified through blood testing.
Action: Baseline liver-function testing was recommended, with monitoring as clinically indicated by the treating clinician. Report any new symptoms of concern to your doctor promptly. (1)
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) — emergency
Symptoms: Signs of low blood sugar, or loss of consciousness.
Action: Follow any hypoglycemia plan already provided by a clinician, and seek urgent medical help for severe symptoms or loss of consciousness. This risk is higher when used with sulfonylureas or insulin, and any dose changes to those medicines must be made by the prescriber. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, nefazodone, cobicistat) | Markedly increased simvastatin blood levels, raising risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis. | This combination was contraindicated. Tell the prescriber about all medicines so they can review whether any of these interacting medicines are involved. (1) |
| Gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, danazol | Significantly increased simvastatin exposure. | This combination was contraindicated. Tell the prescriber about all medicines so they can review this. (1) |
| Verapamil, diltiazem, dronedarone | Increased simvastatin exposure. | The historical label capped the simvastatin component at 10 mg daily with these medicines. Any such dose limit must be applied and reviewed by the prescriber, not decided by the reader. (1) |
| Amiodarone, amlodipine, ranolazine | Increased simvastatin exposure. | The historical label capped the simvastatin component at 20 mg daily with these medicines. Any such dose limit must be applied and reviewed by the prescriber, not decided by the reader. (1) |
| Lomitapide | Increased simvastatin exposure. | The historical label capped the simvastatin component at 20 mg daily with lomitapide (40 mg daily only if the patient had previously tolerated simvastatin 80 mg daily chronically without myopathy). Any such dose limit must be applied and reviewed by the prescriber. (1) |
| Sulfonylureas or insulin | Increased risk of hypoglycemia. | This combination increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Blood glucose monitoring is advised, and any dose adjustment of the sulfonylurea or insulin must be decided by the prescriber. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Renal impairment
Juvisync is not recommended in severe renal impairment or end‑stage renal disease. Dose adjustment is required in moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance approximately 30‑50 mL/min). For the sitagliptin component, a reduced dose may be needed; the prescriber must consider using separate components. (1)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Contraindicated in pregnancy due to fetal harm from statins. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception. Breastfeeding is also contraindicated. (1)
Elderly patients (≥65 years)
Age is a predisposing factor for myopathy; use with caution and monitor for muscle symptoms. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Baseline liver function tests (transaminases) should be checked.
- Assess renal function (creatinine clearance) to determine appropriate dosing.
- Review all concurrent medications for interactions, especially those affecting simvastatin metabolism.
- Confirm that the patient is not pregnant and is using contraception if of childbearing potential.
During treatment
- Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness should be reported to a doctor immediately.
- Periodic liver enzyme monitoring may be indicated by the prescriber; report any symptoms.
- Blood glucose should be monitored when used with sulfonylureas or insulin, with any dose changes decided by the prescriber.
Storage
Storage information for the discontinued Juvisync brand was not provided in the supplied research notes. This remains a gap; follow the dispensing pharmacy's label instructions for whichever product is actually dispensed.
Professional information (historical)
This information is based on the 2013 US FDA label for Juvisync, a discontinued brand. Current prescribing should refer to the separate monographs for sitagliptin and simvastatin.
United States (historical)
Indication: Type 2 diabetes with dyslipidemia
Dose summary: Starting dose: 100 mg sitagliptin/40 mg simvastatin once daily in the evening. Dose individualised; maximum simvastatin 40 mg/day, with lower caps for interacting medicines. For moderate renal impairment, dose adjustment of sitagliptin component required.
Renal context: Not recommended in severe renal impairment; in moderate impairment (CrCl 30‑50 mL/min), consider using separate components to adjust sitagliptin dose. (1)
Hepatic guidance
Contraindicated in active liver disease. Baseline liver function testing recommended; monitor thereafter.
Overdose note
No specific overdose-management information was gathered for this discontinued combination in the supplied research notes. Suspected overdose should be directed to a poison control center or emergency care rather than managed at home. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Why was Juvisync discontinued?
The manufacturer (Merck) voluntarily stopped distributing the brand for business reasons. The decision was not related to any safety or efficacy concerns with Juvisync or its individual components, sitagliptin (Januvia) or simvastatin (Zocor). (1)
Can I still get sitagliptin and simvastatin separately?
Yes. Both sitagliptin (under the brand Januvia) and simvastatin (generic and brand Zocor) remain available as individual prescription medicines. Your healthcare provider can prescribe them separately if you need both. (1)
What should I do if I was taking Juvisync and now cannot get it?
Contact your prescriber. They can decide whether to switch you to the same active ingredients as separate tablets, taking into account the dosing, interactions, and monitoring requirements that applied to Juvisync. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of sitagliptin and simvastatin?
Sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor; simvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). A detailed mechanism-of-action description beyond these drug classes was not included in the supplied research notes. (1)
What is the generic name of Juvisync (sitagliptin and simvastatin) tablets — DISCONTINUED brand?
The generic name is sitagliptin and simvastatin. It is sold under brand names including JUVISYNC. (1)
What class of drug is sitagliptin and simvastatin?
Juvisync (sitagliptin and simvastatin) tablets — DISCONTINUED brand is classed as: Dipeptidyl peptidase‑4 (DPP‑4) inhibitor and HMG‑CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) combination. (1)
References
- JUVISYNC (sitagliptin and simvastatin) tablets — prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration · United States · dated 2013 · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 1
- Juvisync (sitagliptin and simvastatin) Drug Information: Clinical SummaryRxList (WebMD LLC) · United States · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 2
- sitagliptin and simvastatin — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 1189803)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient sitagliptin and simvastatin names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.