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Qsymia vs. Ozempic

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.

• 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)

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%)

• 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

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist used with diet and exercise to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in some people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a once-weekly injection under the skin and as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. The injection is also approved to help slow worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Injection:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
• Lower the risk of worsening kidney problems and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Tablets:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events

• Nausea (16-20%)
• Diarrhea (9%)
• Vomiting (5-9%)
• Stomach pain (6-7%)
• Constipation (3-5%)

Note: Side effects listed above are for Ozempic (semaglutide) injection

• Risk of thyroid tumors
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Eye problems
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain diabetes medications
• Kidney damage
• Severe stomach problems
• Severe allergic reactions
• Gallbladder problems
• Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation