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Can Atorvastatin Cause Peripheral Edema And Weight Gain?

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Posted on Wed, 19 Jul 2017
Question: does atorvastatin cause pedal edema & weight gain. I have been on it for 4 months and have developed those two side effects while I've been on a low cal, low sat fat, low na diet. I am being treated by a cardiologist & phc both of which are treating me like I'm an idiot because "they've never heard of these side effects". Although those side effects are listed with Lipitor. I am a nurse and I am aware enough to know what my sx are. I never 'run to the dr' with aall kinds of complaints, but now I am extremely angry!
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
atorvastatin may rarely cause these effects

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

atorvastatin may indeed cause both peripheral edema and weight gain but the risk is very low for both side effects (less than 1% for each). If there's no other good explanation for your symptoms like heart failure, proteinuria, venous insufficiency, etc then stopping atorvastatin will have to be considered. If the side effects disappear then starting the drug again should bring them back. Recurrence of the side effects right after initiating the drug for a second time would confirm that your symptoms are side effects of atorvastatin.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3817 Questions

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Can Atorvastatin Cause Peripheral Edema And Weight Gain?

Brief Answer: atorvastatin may rarely cause these effects Detailed Answer: Hello, atorvastatin may indeed cause both peripheral edema and weight gain but the risk is very low for both side effects (less than 1% for each). If there's no other good explanation for your symptoms like heart failure, proteinuria, venous insufficiency, etc then stopping atorvastatin will have to be considered. If the side effects disappear then starting the drug again should bring them back. Recurrence of the side effects right after initiating the drug for a second time would confirm that your symptoms are side effects of atorvastatin. I hope you find my comments helpful! Kind Regards!