Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice. All statements are merely the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to prescription weight loss medication.
Qsymia is a prescription weight loss medication. The brand’s website claims that it causes an average weight loss of 24-32 pounds and a 4-5 inch drop in waist circumference.
The generic term for this medication is phentermine and topiramate extended release capsules, and we will use these terms interchangeably throughout this article as they refer to the same active drug ingredients.
But is Qsymia actually proven to cause this much weight loss? Are there any health risks to taking Qsymia? What’s the cheapest way to access the medication? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of the drug?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze clinical studies on Qsymia to determine how much weight patients can expect to lose.
We’ll also discuss the risk of side effects, explain the cheapest way to access Qsymia, and feature patient reviews and ratings.
Research Review – How Effective is Qsymia?
Qsymia has been studied in various clinical trials for its effects on weight loss.
A 2015 medical review analyzed data from a number of clinical trials on Qsymia and concluded that, on average, patients lost 10% of their initial weight.
This is a relatively high amount, given that most of the cited trials were less than one year long.
A clinical trial published in the Obesity journal analyzed the effectiveness of Qsymia for weight loss in obese patients.
The trial lasted 28 weeks, and the lower dose of Qsymia caused 8.5% body weight loss, and the higher dose caused 9.2% body weight loss.
The above-linked trial reported that Qsymia was more effective than either of the two active drug ingredients in Qsymia taken alone.
A 2018 clinical trial tested the efficacy of Qsymia for a specific type of disorder associated with obesity: binge eating disorder. The medication not only caused weight loss, but it also reduced binge eating behavior and food cravings.
Based on the available research, we will conclude that Qsymia is likely to be effective for weight loss in overweight and obese patients, which is unsurprising given that the medication is approved by the FDA for that indication.
Does Qsymia Cause Side Effects?
Qsymia can cause side effects in some patients.
The drug’s FDA label lists the most common side effects as: tingling extremities, dizziness, change of taste, insomnia, constipation and dry mouth. All of these effects are reported as being experienced in 5% or more patients.
A 2013 medical review examined the side effects of Qsymia and reported that dizziness, insomnia and taste disturbances occurred in 10% or more patients, but that there were no severe side effects such as cardiovascular issues or suicide attempts.
One good sign about Qsymia is that the medication is free of a “black box” warning.
As we documented in our Ozempic reviews article on another prescription medication used for weight loss, black box warnings are mandated by the FDA when there is a risk of severe and life-threatening side effects.
The fact that there is no such warning on the Qsymia label suggests that serious side effects from the drug are unlikely.
Real People Try Qsymia
A TikTok user named “kayrealista" shared her experience after seven days of taking Qsymia:
@kayrealista Day 7 on Qsymia Update! ALSO I have so much energy its WILDDDD. I forget to drink energy which I rely on with 3 kids 4 & under! #fyp #weightloss #weightlosscheck #sahmlife #qsymia #qsymiaweightloss ♬ original sound - Kay | SAHM
A YouTube creator explains why she had to stop using Qsymia due to what she describes as a “major side effect:”
Where to Get the Best Price
We typically recommend that patients ask their doctor about the generic form of medications, since they should be equally effective to brand-name versions but often have significantly lower retail prices.
Unfortunately, since Qsymia was recently approved by the FDA, there is no generic version available at the time of updating this article.
Patients can visit the official Qsymia website and speak with their doctor about whether a prescription is right for them.
For patients seeking cost savings, Qsymia has a Cost Savings page on their website with a coupon that can help patients save up to $65.
Relative to other prescription weight loss medications, Qsymia is relatively affordable. Its retail price is around $200 according to GoodRx, and patients with health insurance will often pay a much lower rate.
Patients Rate Qsymia
Drugs.com is a website that allows prescription medication patients to rate and review the drugs they're taking.
We cannot verify the accuracy or authenticity of any reviews on this site.
Qsymia has been reviewed over 500 times on Drugs.com, and has an average review rating of 7.7 out of 10 at the time of updating this article.
A top positive review is written by a user named “SS” who gave the drug a 10/10 rating:
“I have been taking Qsymia for a year and 4 months to help me lose weight. I lost 70 lbs . I feel great…My metabolic doctor says it’s safe to continue. I’m in the lowest dose. ( 7.5) . This drug changed my life."
A top negative review comes from a user named “AmyHS1978” who gave the drug a 2/10 rating:
“This medicine has has ignited a fire in my brain. I am at the point where I seriously think I'm going crazy. I urge you to disclose fully to your doctor if you suffer from chronic depression and urge you to reconsider taking this medicine. I begged my husband to commit me yesterday, that was my mental state.”
Our Clean Weight Loss Picks
MBG Organic Fiber Potency+ is our top overall weight loss pick.
Dietary fiber was shown in a medical review published in The Journal of Nutrition to cause 16 pounds of weight loss in 6 months when combined with moderate caloric restriction (750 calories per day below baseline).
Performance Lab MCT Oil is our top premium weight loss pick.
MCT oil was shown in a meta-study to cause more than one pound of weight loss over 10 weeks. This equates to potential annualized weight loss of 6 pounds per year with less than one tablespoon's worth of MCT oil per day.
Pique La Ginger is our top whole food weight loss pick.
Ginger intake "significantly decreased body weight" according to a 2019 meta-study on ginger and weight loss that analyzed data from 14 clinical trials.
All three of the products mentioned in this section are entirely free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
We are not suggesting that any of the products recommended in this section are as effective as Qsymia or any other FDA-approved weight loss medication. Rather, we're sharing options that patients with an aversion to pharmaceutical medication may wish to speak to their doctor about.
How Does Qsymia Work?
Researchers aren’t exactly clear on why Qsymia is effective for weight loss, but it may be due to its effects on appetite.
A medical review published in the Expert Opinion on Drug Safety journal found that Qsymia suppresses the appetite and reduces cravings.
Qsymia is a stimulant drug, and stimulants are known to have appetite-suppressant effects, as we documented in our how does phentermine work article.
Some weight loss drugs directly increase metabolism, and others can increase the sense of fullness by filling up the stomach with non-caloric matter, but it makes sense that the mechanism of action of Qsymia is appetite reduction, given the clinical study proving it to be effective for binge eaters.
Qsymia Dosage
Qsymia is prescribed at four different doses, according to a 2023 medical review: 3.75 milligrams (mg) phentermine/23 mg topiramate, 7.5 mg/46 mg, 11.25 mg/ 69 mg and 15 mg/92 mg.
Patients may be prescribed the lowest dose to start, because if a patient is experiencing benefit at the lowest dose they can remain there.
This will reduce the risk of side effects.
If a patient isn’t experiencing weight loss at the lowest approved dose, their doctor may gradually increase their dose until they reach the maximum.
The above-linked medical review notes that if 5% body weight loss is not achieved within 12 weeks on the highest dose, the doctor may recommend slowly tapering off the medication because the risk of side effects versus potential benefit may not be worth it at that point.
