FROM: Mary Irons, CDE Pharmacist (VT Dept of Health)
The FDA has approved Juvisync, a combination medicine of sitagliptan (Januvia) and the cholesterol drug simvastatin. The combination drug will be marketed in strengths of 100/10, 100/20, and 100/40 and should be taken in the evening.
The press release with greater detail can be found at http://www.merck.com/newsroom/news-release-archive/prescription-medicine-news/2011_1007.html
While simvastatin remains as one of the most popular anti-cholesterol agents, recent guideline changes have meant that many patients can no longer take more than either 10mg or 20mg if using specific other drugs. Additionally, before Thanksgiving a generic version of the #1 dollar drug in America, Lipitor (atorvastatin) will enter the marketplace. Lipitor you may recall has twice the potency of simvastatin on a mg-to-mg basis and can be dosed at any time of the day. Atorvastatin may cannibalize the simvastatin market within a year.
From the RxCorner
Marty