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Key takeaways
The generic version of Qsymia can cost more than $250 without insurance, but a SingleCare prescription discount card can reduce the price to well under $200 for a 30-day supply.
Qsymia is prescribed for chronic weight management in adults and children 12 years or older with a BMI above a certain threshold, but it is not suitable for pregnant women due to the risk of fetal complications.
Health insurance coverage for Qsymia varies, with many plans covering it, though Medicare does not cover weight loss drugs, and Medicaid coverage depends on the state.
Alternatives to Qsymia include generic phentermine, over-the-counter weight loss drugs, and other prescription medications like Wegovy and Saxenda, with the choice depending on effectiveness, side effects, and cost.
Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate) is a brand-name drug prescribed along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its use in adults and children 12 years or older with a body mass index (BMI) above a certain threshold. People with lower BMIs who also have weight-related comorbidities such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol may also be treated with Qsymia. However, Qsymia has been linked with fetal complications, so it should not be taken by pregnant women. Pregnancy tests are required, and the drug is only available through a specialty home delivery pharmacy. Like other brand-name drugs, Qsymia is premium-priced.
What is the brand generic for Qsymia?
While both active ingredients are sold individually as generic drugs, Qsymia has no generic version. Substituting the generic versions of phentermine and topiramate may not work because the dosage strengths don’t match.
Is Qsymia covered by insurance?
A majority of health insurance plans cover Qsymia, but not all. Medicare drug plans do not cover weight loss drugs such as Qsymia. Medicaid coverage will vary by state. Qsymia is generally placed in the middle copay tiers for people with health insurance.
RELATED: What obesity treatments does insurance cover?
How much does Qsymia cost without insurance?
For people without insurance coverage, a 30-day supply of Qsymia will cost $270. That’s the average retail price for 30, 7.5-46 mg Qsymia capsules. Since weight loss medications are long-term treatments, people prescribed Qsymia can expect to pay over $3,000 annually for the treatment.
That puts Qsymia in the middle of the price range for weight loss medications. Cheaper treatment options include generic phentermine, one of the active ingredients in Qsymia. Phentermine’s most common side effects, such as dry mouth, fast heart rate, elevated blood pressure, constipation, and insomnia, are similar to the common effects of Qsymia. However, Qsymia has additional side effects due to the combination with topiramate. These include nervous system problems, vision problems, and eye pain, as well as serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts, glaucoma, kidney stones, or metabolic acidosis. However, in clinical trials, Qsymia is more effective at managing chronic weight. There’s a trade-off between the two, so ask the prescriber for medical advice before switching.
Other options, including Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide), are on the higher end of the price range. These premium-priced treatments may be more effective at managing weight and have less serious side effects than phentermine.
Several over-the-counter weight loss drugs, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements can be used to reduce weight. Many of these can help when people also increase their physical activity and eat a reduced-calorie diet. Their long-term results do not match that of prescription medications.
For people without insurance, the most significant savings can be found using a SingleCare prescription discount card at participating pharmacies. The lowest SingleCare price for 30, 7.5-46 mg capsules of brand-name Qsymia is only $179. A 30-day supply of generic phentermine can be purchased for as low as $8 using SingleCare.
RELATED: Phentermine alternatives: What can I take instead of phentermine?
Compare Qsymia prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Qsymia | $257 per 30, 7.5-46 mg capsules | $179 per 30, 7.5-46 mg capsules of brand-name Qsymia | See latest prices |
| Phentermine | $46 per 30, 37.5 mg tablets | $8 per 30, 37.5 mg tablets of generic phentermine | See latest prices |
| Contrave | $811 per 120, 8-90 mg tablets | $630 per 120, 8-90 mg tablets of brand-name Contrave | See latest prices |
| Lomaira | $32 per 30, 8 mg tablets | $18 per 30, 8 mg tablets of brand-name Lomaira | See latest prices |
| Wegovy | $1,800 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL injectable pens | $1,200 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL injectable pens of brand-name Wegovy | See latest prices |
| Mounjaro
(tirzepatide) |
$1,500 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL injectable pens | $1,000 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL injectable pens of brand-name Mounjaro | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs, if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
How to get Qsymia without insurance
To learn how to save on prescription weight-loss drugs, read SingleCare’s blog page “4 ways to save on weight-loss medications.” The first suggestion involves exploring manufacturer coupons and patient assistance programs. However, sometimes they don’t work. People may not be able to meet the eligibility requirements. In those cases, the best place to start is a SingleCare prescription discount card.
1. Use a SingleCare savings card
The lowest SingleCare discounted price for Qsymia is only $179 for 30, 7.5-46 mg capsules. This represents a savings of about $70 off the average price. Discount prices will vary at participating pharmacies, so browse available savings on SingleCare’s Qsymia coupons. Read the FAQs section for additional savings and drug information.
2. Shop for the lowest price
By using SingleCare’s , people without insurance can quickly find the lowest pharmacy price. They can also save $40 off the highest pharmacy price.
3. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider about generic phentermine
The weight loss drug in Qsymia is phentermine, one of the most commonly prescribed obesity medications on the market. The average cost is low. A 30-day supply of generic phentermine costs about $46. A 30-day supply of Lomaira, a low-dose phentermine generic, can be purchased for $32 to minimize side effects.
4. Ask the prescriber about Plenity
One lower-cost alternative for weight management is Plenity. It’s not a drug, though it’s taken before each meal as a capsule. It’s an FDA-cleared medical device available by prescription only. It’s filled with a gel that expands in the stomach. Taken 20 minutes before a meal with 16 ounces of water makes people feel full so that they will eat less. It is effective and will not have as many side effects as prescription drugs. Its average monthly cost is $100.
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Sources
- 4 ways to save on weight-loss medications, SingleCare
- Could one of these 7 prescription weight-loss pills be right for you?, SingleCare
- Plenity, Gelesis
- Qsymia, Vivus LLC
- Qsymia phentermine and topiramate capsule extended release prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine