Qsymia prescription online

Qsymia is a brand-name oral prescription weight-loss medication approved for weight loss in adults. In clinical trials, people taking it lost up to 10% of their initial body weight in 56 weeks.

Qsymia is one option for weight loss, but is it right for you? Talk to a weight loss provider and find out in as little as 24 hours.*

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Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.

Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Hetrick

What is Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate ER)?

Qsymia is a brand-name oral prescription weight-loss medication. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight management in adults in 2012. It combines phentermine, a popular short-term weight loss medication, and topiramate ER (extended-release), a medication used to treat epilepsy and migraines.

Qsymia is different from popular weight-loss injections, like Zepbound (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Saxenda (liraglutide). It’s a once-daily capsule taken in the morning. It’s similar in that if you take it, you should have a qualifying body mass index (BMI) and combine it with diet and exercise.

How does Qsymia work?

One of the active ingredients in Qsymia, phentermine, is an appetite suppressant. It may also increase metabolism.

How topiramate, Qsymia’s other active ingredient, affects appetite and weight isn’t known. But it may act on neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain to reduce appetite and make you feel more full. It may also help reduce leptin (a hormone that helps regulate weight and appetite by signaling to the brain when you’re full) and blood sugar levels.

Qsymia’s maker, Vivus, says that it offers all-day hunger control, makes you feel full all day to reduce cravings, and changes how some foods taste so you don’t want to eat as much.

In clinical trials, people taking Qsymia lost weight and had reductions in waist size, blood pressure, blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels. Those taking higher doses had the greatest reductions in weight and other measures.

man with a scale to represent getting a Zepbound online prescription for weight loss

Who can take Qsymia?

Qsymia is FDA-approved for adults who:

– Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, which is medically obese.
– Have a BMI of 27 or more and at least one weight-related health problem, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels, or heart problems.

If you take it, you also need to eat a reduced-calorie diet and be more physically active.

Qsymia is also approved for children 12 and older who fall into the obese range, which is a BMI in the 95th percentile or higher for their age and sex.

How to get a Qsymia prescription online

To take Qsymia, you need a prescription. To get a prescription, you need to work with a licensed healthcare provider who can prescribe weight loss medication. Providers who can write prescriptions include medical doctors (MDs), physician assistants/associates (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs).

You can find a licensed, board-certified provider to discuss a medical weight loss program that may include medication, like Qsymia, on Klarity Health.

If your provider decides that Qsymia is a medically necessary part of a weight loss treatment plan for you, they can give you a prescription.

Once you have a prescription, you can fill it at any pharmacy — online or local — that has Qsymia in stock.

Unlike some popular weight loss injections Zepbound and Wegovy, Qsymia hasn’t had supply shortage issues.

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How to use Qsymia and Qsymia dosages

You take Qsymia one each day in the morning. It comes as a capsule that you swallow whole and can take with or without food.

Capsules come in 4 strengths:

3.75 mg/23 mg
7.5 mg/46 mg
11.25 mg/69 mg
15 mg/92 mg

The first number is the amount of phentermine in each capsule. The second is the amount of topiramate ER.

Most people start with the 3.75 mg/23 mg capsule and stay at that dose for 14 days. After that, they increase to the 7.5 mg/46 mg dose. If after 12 weeks (3 months), they haven’t lost at least 3% of their body weight, providers might increase the dose to 11.25 mg/69 mg a day for 14 days and then increase it to 15 mg/92 mg once a day. If after 12 weeks at the highest dose, someone hasn’t lost at least 5% of their starting weight, it’s recommended to gradually stop taking Qsymia and consider an alternative.

For people who lose more than 2 pounds a week, the provider may decrease the dose.

Smiling woman in blue jacket and orange-brown turtleneck who figured out her Zepbound online prescription doses

Image of smiling woman holding stomach to show Zepbound online prescription side effects

Qsymia side effects and warnings

The most common side effects adults taking Qsymia have are numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or face (called paraesthesia), dizziness, headache, a change in the way foods taste or a loss of taste, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth. They’re more common at higher doses and may diminish or go away with time as your body gets used to Qsymia.

For a complete list of side effects, including serious side effects, contraindications, drug interactions, and side effects in children, see the Qsymia medication guide or talk to your provider or pharmacist.

Know that because Qsymia contains phentermine, it’s a controlled substance and may lead to abuse or dependence.

Learn more about Qsymia side effects.

What does Qsymia cost?

Qsymia is less costly than popular weight-loss injections and oral Contrave (bupropion-naltrexone). A 30-day supply costs between $210 and $232 according to drugs.com and with its discount applied. That’s without insurance. If you have insurance that covers Qsymia, you’ll pay only your drug copay cost.

But, like most weight loss medications, you’ll probably need a prior authorization before your insurance will pay for it, even if it’s on their approved drug list.

Qsymia’s manufacturer, Vivus, offers 3 ways to save too:
1 — with the Qsymia Savings Card, you can save $65 a month if you have and use insurance and cover the first $70 of your copay
2 — you can save $75 per month if you pay cash or don’t have insurance
3 — you can pay just $98 if you don’t have insurance or don’t want to use it and choose home delivery from Vivus through the Qsymia Engage program

See the Qsymia website for full details and quantity limits.

You can use a prescription or drug discount card from drugs.com, GoodRx, SingleCareRx,WellRx, and others to save on your cost with and without insurance too.

How does Qsymia compare to other weight-loss medications?

Qsymia and Contrave (naltrexone HCI/bupropion HCI) are 2 of the oldest weight loss medications available. Qsymia was approved in 2012 and Contrave in 2014. Both are combinations of other medications. Both result in up to a 10% loss in body weight in 56 weeks. Both are oral pills. Qsymia is taken once a day; Contrave twice a day.

Newer prescription options for weight loss are GLP-1 agonists, including Zepbound (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Saxenda (liraglutide) All are taken as weekly injections rather than daily pills. People lose more weight on Zepbound or Wegovy than other weight loss solutions. Up to 20.9% on Zepbound and 14.% on Wegovy. Weight loss on Saxenda is the same as with Qsymia and Contrave at 10% in 56 weeks.

All of these medications are intended to be used with diet and exercise and for people who are medically obese or overweight. Many insurance companies require prior authorization before paying for any of them. And some require you try a less-expensive solution before they’ll cover the higher price for injections.

Saxenda, Contrave, Zepbound, and Wegovy are all FDA-approved for weight loss or weight management in people with obesity and overweight when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. All have side effects that may include, but aren’t limited to, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and headaches.

Which medication is right for you depends on you, your health history, your goals, and other factors. To find the right weight-loss solution, talk to a licensed, board-certified weight-loss provider.

woman in frnt of laptop with hands up and question marks over hands to show she's comparing Zepobound against other online prescriptions for weight loss

	Qsymia	Contrave	Zepbound	Wegovy	Saxenda
% body weight loss	Up to 10%	up to 10%	up to 20.9%	up to 14.9%	up to 10%
Average monthly cost*	$210 to $232	$668	$1,126	$1,126	$1,430

*Costs are based on full maintenance doses when applicable without insurance or manufacturer savings and per drugs.com with its discount applied.

With Klarity Health, you’re in good company

Reviews from real patients who see healthcare providers on Klarity Health.

How it works

Choose the right provider for you
Providers on Klarity Health are licensed, board-certified, and offer a personalized approach to your unique weight-loss needs. See detailed profiles for each provider and find an approach that’s best for you. (Costs for treatment options may vary.)
Have your initial patient visit
Your journey to losing weight starts with an initial consultation Your provider will go over your goals and medical history to recommend a program that’s right for you and may or may not include prescription medication.
Work with your provider on your progress
Your initial consultation is just the beginning. You and your provider will follow up to make sure you’re doing okay and that you’re reaching your goals. You stay on track with easy medication refills and ongoing support from your provider.
Access 24×7 support from Klarity Health
If you have questions or need assistance, the Klarity Health Patient Support team is here to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support throughout your weight loss journey.

Why choose a provider on Klarity Health?

Choose from a growing list of licensed, board-certified providers

Have an appointment in as little as 24 hours*

No insurance needed — get reimbursed from insurance or use your FSA or HSA

FAQs about Qsymia

Where can I find doctors online to prescribe Qsymia?: Any medical doctor, physician’s assistant/associate, or nurse practitioner licensed to practice in the state where you live can prescribe Qsymia for you. If they offer online appointments, they can consult with you, assess your needs and health, determine if Qsymia is medically necessary for you and, if it is, and give you a prescription online. You can find doctors online on telehealth platforms like Klarity Health.
Is Qsymia covered by insurance?: Yes, and according to Vivus, Inc. who makes Qsymia, 81% of health insurance companies cover it. You can use the online lookup tool on qsymia.com to see if your plan is included.
Is there a generic version of Qsymia: No. While phentermine and topiramate extended-release are available as generic medications, there is no generic equivalent for the mixture of the 2 medications as used in Qsymia. The FDA has approved a generic version, but none is currently available at pharmacies.
Can Qsymia be prescribed via telemedicine?: Yes. Any medical doctor, physician’s assistant/associate, or nurse practitioner licensed to see patients in the state where you live and who sees patients online can prescribe Qsymia for you if they feel it’s appropriate for you.
How long can you take Qsymia?: Qsymia is believed to be safe and effective for longer-term use — 2 years. Clinical studies ran for 56 weeks (just under 13 months). No studies have been done on using Qsymia for significantly longer than 2 years though.

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Sources: Clinical Trials Arena, Contrave for the Treatment of Obesity, Oct. 2014, https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/projects/contraveforthetreatm/?cf-view

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Obesity, Clinical utility of phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia) combination for the treatment of obesity, Jin Hee Shin and Kishore M. Gadde, Apr. 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3626409/

DailyMed, Label: Qsymia- phentermine and topiramate capsule, extended release, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=40dd5602-53da-45ac-bb4b-15789aba40f9&audience=consumer

JAMA Network, Continued Treatment with Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults with Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial, Louis J. Aronne, MD, et.al., Dec. 2023, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2812936

NIH, National Library of Medicine, Phentermine/Topiramate Extended-Release Capsules (Qsymia) for Weight Loss, David J. Lonneman Jr, Jose A. Rey, MS, Pharm D, BCPP, and Brian D. McKee, PharmD, Aug. 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3814438/

NIH, National Library of Medicine, Topiramate (Topamax): Evolving Role in Weight Reduction Management: A Narrative Review, Irsa Wajid et al, Aug. 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10532729/

The New England Journal of Medicine, A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management, Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, et al., Jul. 2015, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1411892

The New England Journal of Medicine, Once-weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, John P.H. Wilding, DM, et al., Feb. 2021, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
How we review this article: This article went through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author. Learn more about the editorial and medical review process and standards for the HelloKlarity site.

*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances like Qsymia and phentermine may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.

If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.