Do statins cause weight gain?

Around 2 in 5 adults in the United States have high cholesterol (total blood cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL) while about 7% of U.S. children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 have high total cholesterol. Too much cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. Obesity also remains a global public health crisis and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It currently affects about 42% of the U.S. population, which is around a 10% increase from the previous decade.

If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe a statin to help lower it. There have been several studies that showed statin use was associated with an increase in calorie consumption and weight gain. One study that followed statin users from 1999 to 2010 found they were taking in fewer calories and less fat than those who were not taking these medications in the first year. By the end of the study, this changed. Calorie and fat consumption increased after 2000 and were higher in statin users when compared to non-users. Non-users showed stable eating patterns that did not change significantly over this time. Those taking statins had increased their caloric intake, and their body mass index, a measure of obesity that considers body weight and height, was greater for statin users than for non-users.

Why would statin users eat more and gain weight? It could be due to the effects statins have on leptin. Leptin is a protein found in your fat tissue that manages how hungry you feel. A 2018 study with obese patients who had type 2 diabetes showed that two statin medications, atorvastatin and simvastatin, reduced leptin secretion. This could lead to increased feelings of hunger. As a result, this could be the cause of weight gain when using statins long-term.

There are also other factors that could account for gaining weight while taking a statin. As you take statins, you may place less emphasis on eating a balanced diet since the medication will lower cholesterol levels. A bad diet consisting of high-calorie, high-fat foods will cause you to gain weight. Another factor that could contribute to weight gain is one of the side effects of the medication. Statins are known to cause muscle pain and weakness. If you experience this side effect, you may be less likely to exercise, which could also result in weight gain. Some other causes of weight gain not related to statin use are genetics, medications other than statins, certain medical conditions, stress, and poor sleeping habits.

It is important to maintain a healthy weight, whether you are taking a statin or not. Talk with your doctor or dietitian about weight loss strategies that are right for you.

Keep reading as we discuss other important information you need to know about statins and answer some frequently asked questions.

Statin FAQs

What are statins?

Statins, which are also known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, are a class of prescription drugs that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower cholesterol (lipids). They block a liver enzyme that produces cholesterol that your body needs. Some statins can decrease your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 50% or more. Statins can also increase the levels of your good cholesterol (HDL) while decreasing triglyceride levels. Different types of statin medications are available and many have generic versions. Some examples of statin drugs include:

  • Lipitor (atorvastatin)
  • Zocor (simvastatin)
  • Crestor (rosuvastatin)
  • Livalo (pitavastatin)
  • Pravachol (pravastatin)
  • Lescol XL (fluvastatin)
  • Mevacor (lovastatin)

Who should take a statin?

Not everyone who has cardiovascular disease will be prescribed a statin. The following groups may benefit from taking a statin:

  • People who do not have heart disease, but are at a high risk of heart disease. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or diabetes.
  • People who have heart disease related to atherosclerosis.
  • People with very high LDL cholesterol not controlled by lifestyle changes.
  • People with an inherited condition that causes high cholesterol levels.

What are the side effects of statins?

While most statins are effective and well-tolerated, they can cause some potential side effects. Common side effects include:

  • Muscle pain or muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Indigestion
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Bloating
  • Low platelet levels
  • Trouble sleeping

Some other possible side effects reported with statin therapy include:

  • Memory loss or confusion
  • High blood sugar levels
  • Skin rash
  • Pins and needles sensation
  • Hair loss
  • Erectile dysfunction or lowered sex drive

Rare but serious side effects include:

  • Serious, life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
  • Liver damage
  • Severe muscle inflammation and damage (rhabdomyolysis)
  • Complications while pregnant or breastfeeding

Disclaimer: These are not all of the possible adverse effects of statins. You should always seek medical advice from a healthcare professional for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. You should also read all the patient information, including the Medication Guide that comes with your medication. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Why am I gaining weight on statins?

Statin use is associated with eating more calories which can lead to weight gain. This could be due to a number of reasons. Some people may not stick to their diet since they know the statin will lower their cholesterol levels. Statins can also cause muscle weakness and pain. If you develop this side effect, you may be less likely to exercise, which may also result in weight gain. Some other reasons for weight gain include older age, genetics, stress, and lack of sleep.

Do statins increase belly fat?

People who take statins are known to gain weight, whether the drugs are the cause or not. In an animal study, rats were treated with pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, fluvastatin, or lovastatin. It found that after 6 weeks, fat tissue was significantly increased in those treated with rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, and lovastatin. It is possible that people treated with these medications might have the same outcome.

Do statins affect your metabolism?

There are reports of weight gain in people who use statins. However, it is not known for sure if the medications were the cause of the weight gain. There was an animal study that looked at fat metabolism in rats. It showed that older subjects metabolized fat slower when taking statins and it was not associated with diet, exercise, and fitness. It should be noted that it is not known whether this is the same in people who take these medications.

Are there any statins that do not cause weight gain as a side effect?

There is not a perfect statin for everyone. Statin use is associated with increased calorie intake which can lead to weight gain. There are not any studies that have compared the rate of weight gain among statins. There have been studies that looked at the overall incidence of side effects and if they were bad enough for patients to stop taking their medication.

One study looking at people over 65 years of age found that those who used Lipitor (atorvastatin) or Crestor (rosuvastatin) were more likely to keep taking the medication than those taking Zocor (simvastatin). However, other studies showed little difference between the side effect rates of the different statins. A known fact is that certain drugs increase the risk of developing side effects if taken with statins. These potential drug interactions include gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, niacin, and protease inhibitors such as ritonavir. You should talk with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have about side effects before taking a statin medication.

Sources

  • Statin Safety and Associated Adverse Events: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Newman, C., Preiss, D. et al (2018). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2019;39:e38-e81.
  • Sugiyama T, Tsugawa Y, Tseng C-H, Kobayashi Y, Shapiro MF. Different time trends of caloric and fat intake between statin users and nonusers among US adults: gluttony in the time of statins? JAMA Internal Medicine. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.1927. Accessed 10 Jan 2024.
  • Singh P, Zhang Y, Sharma P, Covassin N, Soucek F, Friedman PA, Somers VK. Statins decrease leptin expression in human white adipocytes. Physiol Rep. 2018 Jan;6(2):e13566. doi:10.14814/phy2.13566.
  • American Heart Association
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute