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What Causes Sudden Weight Gain While On Simvastatin?

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Posted on Fri, 9 Jun 2017
Question: I was RX Simvastatin when diagnosed with mild plaque, I am 69 years old and have been a stable weight all my life. 155 pounds at 19 years old and now at 162 pounds. Since taking this drug I have lost 5 pounds in the last 30 days and have been on the drug for 80 days. Should I be concerned?
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Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Weight loss

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your question.

I understand that you have lost 5 lbs. in the past 30 days after having been prescribed SIMVASTATIN for cholesterolemia 80 days ago. Your current weight is 162 lbs.

Since there are a multitude of reasons why a person could lose 5 lbs. in the past 30 days I believe it is premature to place the blame squarely on the shoulders of a drug such as simvastatin. Aside from that fact, WEIGHT LOSS as a side effect does not appear as a clinically significant reported problem seen in the Phase III or post marketing trials.

My recommendation is that if you are concerned you have lost 5 lbs. in the past 30 days without intending to do so and you are certain that nothing else has changed about your dietary habits or appetite and you have not suddenly taken up physical exercise activities in order to get in shape, etc. that you check with your doctor who will probably ask you some additional questions, likely do a physical examination, and possibly order some tests or diagnostic studies to see if there are any other reasons that could BETTER EXPLAIN the weight loss.

Simvastatin is less likely to be the agent responsible for this weight loss.

If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2472 Questions

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What Causes Sudden Weight Gain While On Simvastatin?

Brief Answer: Weight loss Detailed Answer: Thank you for your question. I understand that you have lost 5 lbs. in the past 30 days after having been prescribed SIMVASTATIN for cholesterolemia 80 days ago. Your current weight is 162 lbs. Since there are a multitude of reasons why a person could lose 5 lbs. in the past 30 days I believe it is premature to place the blame squarely on the shoulders of a drug such as simvastatin. Aside from that fact, WEIGHT LOSS as a side effect does not appear as a clinically significant reported problem seen in the Phase III or post marketing trials. My recommendation is that if you are concerned you have lost 5 lbs. in the past 30 days without intending to do so and you are certain that nothing else has changed about your dietary habits or appetite and you have not suddenly taken up physical exercise activities in order to get in shape, etc. that you check with your doctor who will probably ask you some additional questions, likely do a physical examination, and possibly order some tests or diagnostic studies to see if there are any other reasons that could BETTER EXPLAIN the weight loss. Simvastatin is less likely to be the agent responsible for this weight loss. If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out. Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.