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Qsymia vs. Wegovy

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

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It comes in prefilled pens you use to inject the medication under the skin once a week. Wegovy (semaglutide) also comes as tablets that are swallowed once a day. This medication is approved for weight loss in some people. It can help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease. The pens are also approved for certain adults with a liver problem called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The medication works best when taken with a lower-calorie diet and regular exercise. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Injectable pens:

• Weight loss and long-term weight management in:

  • People ages 12 years and older who are considered obese
  • Adults considered overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)

• Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver scarring, but not cirrhosis

Tablets:

• Weight loss and long-term weight management in adults who are considered obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition
• Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease

• Nausea (44%)
• Diarrhea (30%)
• Vomiting (24%)
• Constipation (24%)
• Stomach pain (20%)
• Headache (14%)
• Tiredness (11%)

• Possible risk for thyroid cancer
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Gallbladder problems
• Low blood sugar
• Kidney damage
• Allergic reactions
• Eye problems in people with Type 2 diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
• Faster heart rate
• Lung problems during general anesthesia or deep sedation