Some people taking statins may gain weight due to factors not directly related to the medication. No evidence exists that statins cause weight gain.
Weight gain is not a reported side effect of statin use, but gaining weight during statin treatment is possible, mainly due to changes in dietary habits.
Limited evidence also suggests that some statins may contribute to weight gain by lowering leptin levels. Leptin is a protein hormone that helps your body regulate long-term energy levels and body weight.
Dietary changes may be one reason some people taking statins gain weight. People who take statins may feel they don’t need to watch what they eat anymore, which could lead them to add fat and calories to their diet.
A 2025 study on the effects of atorvastatin on young pigs found that the drug caused metabolic changes in the animals. These findings do not prove that statins cause weight gain, but they may explain how they affect metabolism
