Qsymia Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate)	Wegovy (semaglutide)	Mounjaro (tirzepatide)	Enter another drug to compare

Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate)

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Prescription only

Prescribed for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight). Qsymia may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Prescription only

Prescribed for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight), Cardiovascular Risk Reduction. Wegovy may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Prescription only

Prescribed for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight), Type 2 Diabetes. Mounjaro may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

More about Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate)

More about Wegovy (semaglutide)

More about Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Ratings & Reviews

Qsymia has an average rating of 7.6 out of 10 from a total of 567 ratings on Drugs.com. 70% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 15% reported a negative effect.

Wegovy has an average rating of 7.6 out of 10 from a total of 483 ratings on Drugs.com. 66% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 15% reported a negative effect.

Mounjaro has an average rating of 8.5 out of 10 from a total of 1286 ratings on Drugs.com. 79% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 6% reported a negative effect.

View all 567 reviews

View all 483 reviews

View all 1286 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

Dry mouth (20.8%)
Tingling (13.6%)
Insomnia (9.7%)
Constipation (8.5%)
Headaches (6.3%)
Tiredness (6.2%)
Depression (3.9%)

View all Qsymia side effects

Nausea (32.3%)
Constipation (14.3%)
Vomiting (10.6%)
Diarrhea (9.7%)
Tiredness (6.6%)
Headaches (6.2%)
Heartburn (6.2%)

View all Wegovy side effects

Nausea (16.6%)
Constipation (11.4%)
Diarrhea (7.9%)
Upset stomach (4.7%)
Loss of appetite (4.5%)
Vomiting (4.4%)
Burping (4.2%)

View all Mounjaro side effects

Drug Class

Anorexiants

GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)

GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)

Generic Availability

Lower cost generic approved

No lower cost generic approved

Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance

Quantity	30 capsule, extended release
Strength	3.75 mg-23 mg
Per unit^*	$7.53
Cost^*	$226.02

View all Qsymia prices

Quantity	2 mL
Strength	0.25 mg/0.5 mL (0.25 mg dose)
Per unit^*	$725.05
Cost^*	$1,450.10

View all Wegovy prices

Quantity	2 mL
Strength	2.5 mg/0.5 mL
Per unit^*	$581.34
Cost^*	$1,162.67

View all Mounjaro prices

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Dosage Forms

Oral capsule, extended release

Subcutaneous solution

Subcutaneous solution

Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

65 hours

168 hours

120 hours

CSA Schedule ¹ View glossary of CSA terms

Some potential for abuse

Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category

Category X Not for use in pregnancy

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Summary unavailable.

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Summary unavailable.

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Drug Interactions

A total of 417 drugs are known to interact with Qsymia:

150 major drug interactions (837 brand and generic names)
264 moderate drug interactions (1138 brand and generic names)
3 minor drug interactions (13 brand and generic names)

A total of 273 drugs are known to interact with Wegovy:

15 major drug interactions (34 brand and generic names)
257 moderate drug interactions (1451 brand and generic names)
1 minor drug interactions (10 brand and generic names)

A total of 414 drugs are known to interact with Mounjaro:

15 major drug interactions (34 brand and generic names)
398 moderate drug interactions (2271 brand and generic names)
1 minor drug interactions (10 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

Using phentermine with alcohol can increase the risk of cardiovascular side effects such as... View more

Food may affect the absorption of semaglutide when taken orally. It is recommended that oral... View more
Talk to your doctor before using alcohol together with semaglutide. Alcohol may affect blood... View more

Tirzepatide may affect the absorption of other medications that you take by mouth. In some cases... View more
Talk to your doctor before using alcohol together with tirzepatide. Alcohol may affect blood... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

July 17, 2012

N/A

WADA Class View classifications

S6 - Stimulants

N/A

More Information

Patient Resources

Qsymia uses

Wegovy uses

Mounjaro uses

Professional Resources

Prescribing information

Prescribing information

Prescribing information

¹ The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Qsymia Alternatives Compared

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