FDA Approves Combined Diabetes, Cholesterol Pill

FDA on Friday approved the first combined pill for those who suffer with the dangerous combination of diabetes and high cholesterol.

Juvisync, which combines the medications of sitagliptin and simvastatin, "is the first product to combine a type 2 diabetes drug with a cholesterol lowering drug in one tablet," said Mary Parks, from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Previously both medicines were approved for use on prescription, the FDA said in a statement, adding some 20 million people in the United States suffer from type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to obesity.

"They often have high cholesterol levels as well. These conditions can lead to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and blindness... particularly if left untreated or poorly treated," the statement added.

Juvisync is manufactured by an Irish subsidiary of the US pharmaceuticals giant Merck.

Source: AFP