Lipitor Weight Gain

Like its fellow "statin" drugs, Lipitor is an extremely effective way to reduce levels of low-density lipid (LDL) cholesterol in the human body. Its popularity has been understandably impressive: in 2004 alone it boasted over $10.4 billion in sales, making it the most popular drug in the world. This is, of course, not surprising when you consider that heart disease is a major killer of middle aged and older men.

Like many drugs, however, Lipitor has its side effects. Many of these (like diarrhea, cramps, and bloating) are pretty much harmless, or, at least, no more dangerous to your health than a couple of beers. Some of them, however (like weight gain), may be more troublesome to many of the drug's prospective users.

A simple internet search will reveal plenty of people who claim to have gained weight through using Lipitor. The problem is with drugs as widely used as Lipitor, there's such a huge range of possible effects on individual bodies that it's difficult to predict what will happen. Most experts, however, agree that weight gain, if it is a side effect, is only seen in a very small number of cases.

In fact, an internet search will show that a small amount of people have actually reported weight loss rather than weight gain as a possible side effect of Lipitor use. However, though there's been no official warning on this front (from either the FDA or the Pfizer Company itself), anxious patients should make sure to monitor themselves closely. If any unusual change in weight occurs, a local physician should be the first one notified.