Statins are widely prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Though effective, some doctors have become concerned about a rare gene that increases the risk of muscle aches, kidney damage and death in those who also take statins.

For some patients, statins simply aren't effective at lowering their high cholesterol. Now scientists think they may have figured out why the cholesterol-lowering drugs don't work well in some patients.

The FDA has approved Juvisync, a prescription medication that contains two previously approved medicines in one tablet: Januvia (sitagliptin) for diabetes and Zocor (simvastatin) for high cholesterol.