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Compare Qsymia vs. Contrave

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) and Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) are both prescription medications used to help with weight loss, but they have some key differences. Qsymia combines a sympathomimetic (phentermine) and an antiepileptic (topiramate) to lower your appetite and make you feel fuller. It's taken once daily and is only available through a special program due to its risk of birth defects. Contrave, on the other hand, combines an opioid antagonist (naltrexone) and a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (bupropion) to help control your appetite and food cravings. You start with a low dose and gradually increase to a maintenance dose of two tablets twice daily. Unlike Qsymia, Contrave is not a controlled substance. Both medications can cause serious side effects, including mood changes and suicidal thoughts, but Qsymia also has risks like metabolic acidosis and vision problems. Contrave should not be taken with high-fat meals to avoid the risk of seizures. Neither medication is available in a generic form.

drug combination

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  • Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate ER)
    Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion)
  • Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate ER)
    Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion)

  • Summary of Qsymia vs. Contrave

    Summary for Sympathomimetic / Antiepileptic
    Prescription only

    Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate extended release) is a combination medication used to help with weight loss. It's approved for people over 12 who are considered obese and for some adults who are considered overweight. This medication is a tablet that you take once a day. You should also eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly for best results. Side effects include a "pins-and-needles" feeling, dry mouth, and constipation. You can only get this medication through the Qsymia REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies) program because of the risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy.

    Summary for Opioid antagonist / Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Contrave is a combination medication that helps with weight loss for certain adults. It's taken along with a balanced diet and exercise plan. Contrave is a tablet with two active ingredients that help regulate your appetite. They are naltrexone (an opioid antagonist) and bupropion (a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). Your dosage will slowly increase over the first 3 weeks. Then, you take the maintenance dose of two tablets by mouth twice a day. Some side effects are nausea, constipation, and headache. But it can also have serious risks, like unusual changes in behavior. Contrave is brand name only; there isn't a generic version available yet.

  • Indications of Qsymia vs. Contrave

    Indications for
    •Weight loss and long-term weight management, together with diet and exercise, for certain people:
    •People age 12 years and older considered obese
    •Adults considered overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes)
    Indications for
    •Long-term weight management in certain adults
    •Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater
    •Adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater and a weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)

  • Pros and Cons of Qsymia vs. Contrave

    Pros and Const for Sympathomimetic / Antiepileptic
    Pros
    •A pill that's taken once a day
    •Combines two ingredients that help lower appetite into one pill for convenience
    •An option for certain children 12 years and older, if diet and exercise aren't enough
    Cons
    •Can raise the risk of depression or thoughts of self-harm
    •Controlled substance and only available through a REMS program
    •Not safe during pregnancy
    Pros and Const for Opioid antagonist / Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
    Pros
    •Comes as a tablet that you take by mouth
    •Might start to notice results in as early as 4 weeks (when taken along with a balanced diet and regular exercise)
    Cons
    •Must take twice a day (after the dose ramp-up at the beginning)
    •Might raise your risk of unusual behavior and thoughts of self-harm
    •Interacts with a lot of medications

  • Common Side Effects of Qsymia vs. Contrave

    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Feeling of pins and needles (up to 20%)
    •Dry mouth (up to 19%)
    •Constipation (up to 16%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 16%)
    •Headache (up to 11%)
    •Change in taste (up to 9%)
    •Trouble sleeping (up to 9%)
    •Dizziness (up to 9%)

    Children:

    •Depression (up to 4%)
    •Nausea (up to 4%)
    •Fever (up to 4%)
    •Dizziness (up to 4%)
    •Joint pain (up to 4%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (33%)
    •Constipation (19%)
    •Headache (18%)
    •Vomiting (11%)
    •Dizziness (10%)
    •Trouble sleeping (9%)
    •Dry mouth (8%)
    •Diarrhea (7%)

  • Warnings of Qsymia vs. Contrave

    Common Side Effects for
    •Harm to an unborn baby
    •Mood problems and suicidal thoughts or behavior
    •Fast heart beat
    •Vision problems
    •Problems concentrating
    •Higher level of acid in blood (metabolic acidosis)
    •Possible lower kidney function
    •Kidney stones
    •High body temperature and inability to sweat
    •Serious allergic reactions and skin reactions
    •Possible slowed growth in children
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
    •Possible changes in thoughts, behavior, and mood
    •Seizures
    •Don't take Contrave with opioid medications
    •Higher blood pressure and faster heart rate
    •Liver problems
    •Mania (extreme enthusiasm or excitement)
    •Worsening of glaucoma in certain people
    •Potential risk of low blood sugar in people taking certain medications for Type 2 diabetes

  • Prices with our coupons for Qsymia vs. Contrave

    Learn more about Qsymia
    Learn more about Contrave

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