does a statin called Zocor cause weight gain?

I have recently started taking simvastatin - generic Zocor, my weight has increased by 13 pounds within 2 months. I have tried lowering my food intake and working out harder & my weight contininues to rise. Thanks for writing. I was feeling alone in my sudden weight gain.

I started taking simvastatin about two months ago and also gained about 15 pounds. I couldn't find anything in the side effects about weight gain but can only assume it is the drug. I've been working out 3-4 times a week but nothing has helped.

I feel a little better knowing it's not just me! Thanks!

I have been on simvastatin for about a month and I have put on quite alot of weight.  I am due to go back to the doctors this Thursday and I will be asking her whether this is a side effect of the 'drugs'.  If it is this would be very dissapointing to say the least!

Don't feel bad, I too have gained weight since taking Lipitor and now Simvastatin.  Does 20 pounds sound like I am happy?  I watch what I eat, carefully, exercise 4 times a week and only eat meat once a week.  I don't like where I have gained the weight, bust area, waist and lower stomach, but I have learned to disguise it pretty well.  I can't discontinue the medication and refuse to take 'diet pills' that you see on television so I am at wits end.  I find it hard to accept the weight gain, but at 65 it is difficult.  I did Weight Watchers in 1965 and lost 40 pounds.  I kept it off for many years, but Lipitor put 20 pounds on and now the other 20.  I thought about  fat removal surgery, but the thoughts of that are revolting.  Good luck.

I have been on various statins over the last eight years starting with Zocor, then going on to Crestor and now Lipitor.  My weight has gone up close to 18 lbs. in that time frame.  The weight is primarily in the the areas mentioned by the previous poster, but I've also had issues with muscle weakness from all 3.  My father passed away from a heart attack at the age of 63, having survived his first attack two years prior.  My mother had angina and triple bypass by the time she was 72.  She did, however, live to the age of 89.  I am in a catch 22 - the muscle weakness is frightening, so much so that a few years back while on Zocor I saw a neurologist, fearing that I had MS.  It was the medication.  I am extremely unhappy at this weight gain.  I am in my late 50s, so the menopausal years are deemed to be factored into this by physicians.  I never had a weight problem before, and regardless of caloric intake, the weight just doesn't want to budge.  The muscle aches and weakness make attempts at exercise a task, rather than something that I would rather do pain free.  One doctor told me that the cholesterol production is in all likelihood hereditary and that the strictest of diets won't change the tendency to produce.  The work 'frustration' is summarizing my situation too mildly. 

Thank God, I'm not alone anymore!  I too am on a different statin.  I'm almost 40, I've been exercising for the past month 6 days a week.  The scale has not budged.  Two years ago I lost 20lbs, then started this medication and gained it all back.  It's nice to see there is a doctor out there giving this some validity.  I too was told this is hereditary.  I'm about to stop the medication and take my chances with all the exercising I've been doing.  There has to be a better way.  This is not all in my head!

I've had the same reaction as everyone else.  I've gained almost ten pounds since starting on simvastatin (generic for Zocor).  I'm happy at the results; my overall numbers are very very good, but I hate the weight gain and muscle weakness.

I did some research and found on some very reputable sites a suggestion to take coQ10 as a supplement along with statins.  Apparently statins effect your coQ10 levels and that can cause the muscle weakness.  I've been taking them for a few weeks now along with the statins and I do notice a difference.  It is also a powerful antioxident.  Obviously, before taking this supplement I would make sure it does not interact with any other medications you are taking.

The only problem is the general malaise and weight gain I believe has been brought on by the statin.

I have been on 20 mg simvastatin for just one short week and have already gained 5 lbs.  I had been losing weight until I began taking this med.  So I know it isn't a change in my eating/exercise habits and they have remained the same.

I will be calling my dr. ASAP

Well there seems to be quite a few of us with the same weight gain problem.  I have statin intolerance and have not been able to take any type of statin.  About 2 months ago, my heart doctor put me on 80 mg of simvastatin with 300 mg of CoQ10 following a heart cath with stenting.  I was ok for about 5 weeks and then the muscle aches and fatique set in to the point where I couldn't even hardly walk or sit...what a mess!  The doctor wants me to decrease to 40 mg but I'm really hesitant about taking it at all now.  I went off the drug 5 days ago and have already lost 5 lbs and my muscles are feeling better.  I just don't know what to do at this point when the doctors do not believe the simvastatin is causing my weight gain.