{"id":629259,"date":"2024-08-06T15:10:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T19:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629259"},"modified":"2025-10-14T16:48:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T20:48:37","slug":"qsymia-vs-wegovy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/qsymia-vs-wegovy\/","title":{"rendered":"Qsymia vs. Wegovy: Differences, similarities & side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choosing a <\/span>weight loss medication<\/span><\/a> with your healthcare provider can be challenging with so many options available. <\/span>Qsymia<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a> are two brand-name prescription drugs you might consider for managing your weight. They have both been shown to be effective for weight loss. However, they are different medications with different active ingredients. They also differ in how they\u2019re administered, how much they cost, and their side effects and drug interactions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Qsymia vs. Wegovy: Key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n

Qsymia is an older drug than Wegovy, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving it in 2012. It contains a combination of two active ingredients: phentermine, an anorectic, and topiramate, an anticonvulsant. Wegovy was approved in 2021 for weight loss and contains the active ingredient semaglutide, a <\/span>glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mechanism of action<\/span><\/h3>\n

The phentermine in Qsymia stimulates the central nervous system (CNS) to reduce appetite. While the exact way topiramate works to suppress appetite is unknown, it is believed to affect the brain to increase satiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wegovy works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a hormone that reduces hunger and can also improve blood sugar control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dosing and dosage forms<\/span><\/h3>\n

Qsymia is taken as an oral capsule once daily in the morning. Wegovy is administered as a <\/span>once-weekly injection<\/span><\/a>, which may be more convenient for some people. Both drugs are typically started at a low dose and then gradually increased to help prevent side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Compare Qsymia vs. Wegovy key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nQsymia<\/b><\/td>\nWegovy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nAnorectic and anticonvulsant<\/span><\/td>\nGLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand only<\/span><\/td>\nBrand only<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nPhentermine\/topiramate<\/span><\/td>\nSemaglutide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nExtended-release capsule<\/span><\/td>\nSubcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n3.75 mg\/23 mg by mouth once daily for 14 days. Then, the dosage is increased to 7.5\/46 mg once daily. The dosage may be further increased to a maximum dosage of 15 mg\/92 mg once daily.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks. Then, the dosage is gradually increased to 1.7 or 2.4 mg once weekly.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children 12 years and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 12 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Qsymia vs. Wegovy: Conditions treated<\/span><\/h2>\n

Qsymia and Wegovy are both approved for chronic weight management in people with obesity who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. They are also prescribed for people who are overweight with a BMI of 27 or higher and who have at least one weight-related health issue, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both medications can help control cravings and reduce appetite. However, they are recommended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to weight loss, Wegovy is also FDA approved to reduce the risk of <\/span>heart disease-related death<\/span><\/a>, heart attacks, and strokes in people with obesity or who are overweight with heart disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Compare Qsymia vs. Wegovy conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nQsymia<\/b><\/td>\nWegovy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight management for patients with a BMI of 30 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or greater\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight management for patients with a BMI of 27 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or greater with at least one weight-related health condition<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease-related death in people with obesity or who are overweight and have heart disease<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is Wegovy better than Qsymia?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Wegovy and Qsymia are effective obesity medications. However, clinical trials have shown that individuals may lose more weight with the 2.4 mg weekly dose of Wegovy than with the 3.75\/23 mg daily dose of Qsymia after around a year of treatment. However, individuals taking the higher 15\/92 mg dose of Qsymia lost nearly as much weight as those who took the 2.4 mg weekly dose of Wegovy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>STEP 1 trial<\/span><\/a> evaluated 1,961 adults taking Wegovy who were overweight or who had obesity but did not have Type 2 diabetes. On average, people who took the treatment lost 14.9% of their body weight from baseline to week 68, while those who took a placebo lost only 2.4% of their body weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A study called the <\/span>EQUIP trial<\/span><\/a> lasted for one year and evaluated the effects of Qsymia. Of the 1,267 adult participants with obesity who took part in the trial, the mean weight loss percentages were as follows by 56 weeks:<\/span><\/p>\n