Wegovy vs. Phentermine for Weight Loss: 6 Key Differences to Remember
Wegovy (semaglutide) and phentermine (Adipex-P) can be used for weight loss, but there are key differences in how they work. Here’s how Wegovy and phentermine compare.
lomaira
Used for Weight loss
Used for Weight loss
Lomaira (phentermine) is a prescription appetite suppressant. It's used to help with weight loss and is approved for people ages 17 years and older. Lomaira (phentermine) is taken by mouth, typically three times per day. This medication is shorter-acting compared to Adipex-P (phentermine), which is taken once daily. Common side effects include dry mouth, trouble sleeping, and headache. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Lomaira (phentermine) because doing so can lead to serious risks, such as dizziness and heart problems.
What is Lomaira (phentermine)?
What is Lomaira (phentermine) used for?
- Short-term treatment for weight management in people ages 17 years and older with a body mass index (BMI) of:
- 30 kg/m2 or greater; or
- 27 kg/m2 or greater, and with at least one other weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol)
How Lomaira (phentermine) works
Lomaira (phentermine) is a sympathomimetic (stimulant). The exact way it works to help with weight loss isn't well understood. But it's thought to work by lowering your appetite and causing you to feel less hungry.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Lomaira |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Sympathomimetic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Schedule IV |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Risks and warnings for Lomaira (phentermine)
Lomaira (phentermine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Not safe to combined with other weight loss medications
There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe to take Lomaira (phentermine) along with other medications for weight loss, including ones found over-the-counter. Don't take Lomaira (phentermine) with any other weight loss medication without first speaking with your primary care provider. Talk with your care team if you have more questions about your treatment plan.
Phentermine not working well
Lomaira (phentermine) might not continue to work well after a while, even for people who've experienced good results when they first started treatment. This is called tolerance. Raising the dose of Lomaira (phentermine) won't help and isn't safe because of the risk for serious side effects. Let you primary care provider know if you've noticed weight gain or your appetite returning after you've been taking Lomaira (phentermine). They'll need to recommend other treatment options for you.
Risk of misuse and dependence
- Risk factors: Taking more Lomaira (phentermine) than prescribed
Similar to other stimulants, Lomaira (phentermine) has a risk of misuse and for causing dependence. To lower the risk of serious side effects from taking too much medication and the risk of dependence, your primary care provider will typically only prescribe a limited amount and quantity at a time. Take Lomaira (phentermine) exactly as prescribed by your primary care provider. This medication is only meant for short-term treatment only. Talk with your care team to learn more about long-term weight management options.
Trouble concentrating or problem with coordination
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol Don't drive or do anything that needs a lot of focus and attention after starting Lomaira (phentermine) until you know how this medication affects you. Some people experience trouble concentrating, dizziness, tremor and other side effects that can make it dangerous for you to drive. Let your care team know right away if you have these side effects, and especially if they don't get better with time. They might need to ask you to consider other treatment options instead.
Heart and lung problems
In the past, there were rare, life-threatening cases of pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) and heart valve problems in people taking "fen-phen" (fenfluramine / phentermine), a previously used combination weight management medication. Although it's unlikely for these problems to happen while taking Lomaira (phentermine) by itself, these risks might still be possible. Tell your primary care provider right away if you have any symptoms of lung problems or heart valve problems, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, swollen feet, or dizziness.
Risk of high blood pressure
Let your primary care provider (PCP) know if you have high blood pressure, even if your condition is well-controlled by medications. Taking Lomaira (phentermine) might raise your risk for high blood pressure so your care team might ask you to check you blood pressure more often during treatment. Let your PCP know if you notice your blood pressure rising after starting treatment because they might need to adjust your medications.
Risk of low blood sugar in people with diabetes
- Risk factors: Taking insulin or sulfonylureas
People with diabetes who are taking medications that lower blood sugar, such as insulin or sulfonylureas like glipizide, are at higher risk for severely low blood sugar during treatment with Lomaira (phentermine). This can happen due to changes in eating habits and appetite with Lomaira (phentermine). Your diabetes care team might need to adjust the dose of your blood sugar medications after you start Lomaira (phentermine).
Always keep emergency glucose tablets or hard candy with you in case your blood sugar drops too low. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, such as feeling faint, shaking, and sweating, check and treat your low blood sugar levels right away. If your symptoms don't improve, call 911.
Side effects of Lomaira (phentermine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Tremor
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
- Difficulty sleeping
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Behavioral changes
- Erectile dysfunction
- Changes in sex drive
Lomaira (phentermine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart or lung disease: dizziness, chest pain, leg or ankle swelling, feeling of heart racing or pounding (palpitations), inability to exercise, fatigue, short of breath
- Severely high blood pressure: severe headache, difficulty breathing, chest pain, blurry vision, confusion
- Low blood sugar (for people who are taking certain diabetes medications): feeling faint, shaking, sweating, nervousness, anxious, confused, irritable, feeling very hungry
More on Lomaira (phentermine) side effects
The following Lomaira (phentermine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart valve disease—shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, fever, sudden weight gain, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Pulmonary hypertension—shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, feeling faint or lightheaded, fatigue, swelling of the ankles or feet
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Lomaira (phentermine)
Pros
- Many people lose about 5% to 10% of body weight
- Makes you feel less hungry soon after you start treatment
- Taken by mouth
Cons
- Taken multiple times a day
- Harder to fall asleep if taken too close to bedtime
- Short-term treatment only
Pharmacist tips for Lomaira (phentermine)
- Try not to take Lomaira (phentermine) too close to bedtime because it can make it difficult to fall asleep
- Avoid driving the first few days after you start Lomaira (phentermine) and after dose changes until you know how this medication affects you.
- Lomaira (phentermine) works best to help you lose weight if you take it with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Talk with your PCP if you have questions about how to plan your meals and what kind of exercise is appropriate for you.
- If you have diabetes and are taking medications that lower your blood sugar, such as insulin or glipizide, let your primary care provider (PCP) know. Taking Lomaira (phentermine) will likely make you eat less, which means you're at higher risk of dangerously low blood sugar. Your primary care provider (PCP) might need to adjust the dose of blood sugar medications.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Lomaira (phentermine) because it can worsen side effects like faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, and trouble sleeping.
- Lomaira (phentermine) must be avoided during pregnancy. Weight loss during pregnancy can cause serious harm to unborn babies. If you're pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant, don't use Lomaira (phentermine). Speak with your primary care provider about how to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy.
- It's recommended to avoid breastfeeding while taking Lomaira (phentermine) because there's a potential risk of harm to nursing babies. Lomaira (phentermine) is structurally similar to amphetamines, which are known to pass into breast milk and can have potentially serious risks (e.g., changes in blood pressure and heart rate, growth problems) to breastfed babies.
- Lomaira (phentermine) interacts with several medications, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Tell your primary care provider about all the medications you're taking before you start Lomaira (phentermine) as well as medications you plan to take during treatment. They can make sure your medications are safe for you.
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Lomaira (phentermine) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 8mg of Lomaira (phentermine) is $16.88 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8mg | 30 tablets | $16.88 | $0.56 |
Typical dosage for Lomaira (phentermine)
The typical dose is 8 mg by mouth three times per day, 30 minutes before each meal.
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How much does Lomaira (phentermine) cost?
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Lomaira (phentermine) (generic)
$16.88
Lomaira (phentermine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Lomaira (phentermine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Heart problems (e.g., stroke, irregular heartbeat, uncontrolled high blood pressure)
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Glaucoma
- Feeling agitated or distressed
- History of substance use disorder
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Currently take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) in the last 14 days
- Severe allergy to amphetamine-containing products
What are alternatives to Lomaira (phentermine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Lomaira (phentermine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Used for:
Short-term treatment for weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of:
$11.87View prices
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