AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question Hi,
I have been taking Lipator for about a year because my cholesterol is high. At first I had the aches but they went away and I don't seem to have any side effects (unless itching and lychanplanus can be side effects)
I read somewhere that Lipator can cause weight gain. I have been gaining weight and wonder if this is why and if I should have as a goal to get off this drug.
Your help is appreciated.
Answer Don
Weight gain is a documented side effect of Lipitor therapy, and may therefore be a contributory factor. Also, some of the itching may be down to Lipitor as well.
If you have a truely raised cholesterol, then I would not recommend stopping Lipitor without having the need re-assessed by your doctor or specialist as it is probably doing you far more benefit than you think. To address the weight gain, my first suggestion would be to review your diet and exercise levels. You should have cut down of fatty foods because of the high cholesterol, but if you have increased or have a high carbohydrate/sugar content of your diet, this itself will cause weight gain as it is converted to body fat. This conversion is the body's natural response to receiving more carbohydrate than it needs for normal activity and is really saving for future need. If the need doesn't come, the fat accumulates and weight continues to increase. If you can achieve a carbohydrate intake slightly below your daily needs, you should begin to lose weight in a controlled way. If you find that despite reducing calories (or to help you eat less), you should increase your consumption of fibre - use brown or high fibre breads, add bran to breakfast cereals and look at increasing other high fibre foods such as vegetables (not potatoes!).
If the exercise and diet help, then in time you may find you can stop Lipitor, but I would not recommend doing this at this stage, and certainly not without medical assessment.
