Key takeaways
Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are both medications used to help with weight loss, but they belong to different drug classes and have distinct uses. Qsymia is a combination of a sympathomimetic and an antiepileptic medication, while Zepbound is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Both medications are used for weight management in adults who have obesity or who have overweight with at least one weight-related condition. Zepbound is also approved for treating moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. Qsymia is taken orally once a day, whereas Zepbound is injected under the skin once a week. Both Qsymia and Zepbound are only available as brand-name medications. Common side effects of Qsymia include dry mouth and constipation, while Zepbound can cause nausea and diarrhea. Qsymia is a controlled substance due to the phentermine component, whereas Zepbound is not a controlled medication. Additionally, Zepbound has potential interactions with diabetes medications, warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin), and birth control pills. Qsymia can also interact with birth control pills as well as alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness.
