How Much Does Phentermine Cost With and Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Despite recent attention to newer, injectable weight-loss medications, phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira) is one of the oldest approved medications for weight management.
Insurance plans may not always cover weight-loss medications. Generally, Medicare Part D plans don’t cover phentermine.
Phentermine, available in tablets and capsules, is one of the most affordable weight-loss medications. Without insurance, a one-month supply can be more than $100 if you choose a brand-name option. With a GoodRx coupon, you could pay less than $100 for a one-month supply of a brand-name option and $20 or less for generic medication.
Table of contents
Prescription weight-management injections such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are getting all the headlines right now. But weight-loss medications are not new. In fact, there are a number of effective and often less-costly weight-loss drugs that have been around for decades. One of those legacy medications is phentermine.
What is phentermine?
Phentermine is an oral medication prescribed for weight loss in people ages 17 and older who have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 (or 27 with certain risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol).
Phentermine is the generic name for Adipex-P and Lomaira — two brand-name medications with the same active ingredient. Qsymia is a combination of phentermine and topiramate. It is also prescribed for weight loss.
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Phentermine was approved for use in the U.S. in 1959. At that time, the medication was recommended for short-term use — less than 12 weeks — along with behavioral changes, such as exercise and reduced calorie intake.
It is considered a safe and effective medication for weight loss. For example, one study of more than 900 people from Mexico showed that about 80% of people with obesity lost at least 5% of their body weight after 3 or 6 months of taking the drug.
Even though phentermine was originally prescribed for short-term use, studies show that long-term use likely causes no major issues and is more beneficial.
By late 2023, the use of weight-loss pills, including phentermine, had risen markedly due to shortages of the newer injectable medications.
How is it taken?
Phentermine is taken orally via capsules and tablets. The medication comes in three once-daily doses: 15 mg, 30 mg, and 37.5 mg. Lomaira comes as an 8 mg tablet taken 3 times a day. A healthcare professional will probably prescribe the lowest dose that is effective for you.
Phentermine is considered a controlled substance, which means it comes with a risk of dependence and misuse.
How does phentermine work?
Phentermine suppresses your appetite. It helps you feel like you’re full, even if you're not. Some people report that phentermine also provides an energy boost. As a result, you may eat less and exercise more — two main behavior changes that help with weight loss.
Phentermine works differently than some of the newer weight-loss injectables such as Zepbound and Wegovy. These medications mimic the actions of gut hormones in the body, causing food to move more slowly through the digestive system. This results in you feeling full longer, and less hungry.
In the 1990s, what was regarded as a miracle diet drug called fen-phen combined fenfluramine — the “fen” — and “phen” or phentermine. Fen-phen was pulled from the market when data suggested this drug contributed to serious lung conditions or heart valve problems. Taking phentermine on its own doesn’t have the same risk of these side effects.
The inside scoop: We talked to three people about their experiences with phentermine and the side effects of this popular prescription weight loss medication.
What to avoid: If you’re new to phentermine, we recommend brushing up on its common drug interactions.
Alternative options: If phentermine isn’t the right fit for you, you might consider other oral and injectable medications for weight loss.
Does insurance cover phentermine?
It depends on your health insurance plan. Many plans do not cover weight-loss medications, which is frustrating for people who want this therapy. Even if your plan pays for weight-loss medications such as phentermine, it may require a prior authorization (extra approval step).
Medicaid
Medicaid coverage for phentermine varies by state. Most state programs don't cover weight-loss medications, but 16 states did as of July 1, 2023. They are:
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Kansas
Louisiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
New Hampshire
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia
Wisconsin
It’s important to note that your coverage for weight-loss medications may be limited by quantity and restricted to certain medications — and phentermine may not be included.
Medicare
Medicare is barred by law from covering phentermine or any other weight-loss medication, in part because of the fen-phen controversy. If you have Medicare, you may qualify for patient assistance programs. You can also save with a free GoodRx coupon. In addition, some other retiree health insurance plans may cover weight-loss medications.
Commercial insurance
Commercial health insurance may or may not cover phentermine. According to the Obesity Medicine Association, your plan may not cover weight-loss medications because they are considered cosmetic treatment rather than healthcare.
Tricare and veterans benefits
Tricare insurance may cover phentermine, but your prescriber may need to submit a coverage review, which is like a prior authorization. You can talk to your prescriber or military treatment facility about your options.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may cover weight-loss medications and management. You should talk to your VA healthcare professional about your benefit options if you have coverage through the VA.
How much does phentermine cost without insurance?
The cost of brand-name Adipex-P can be more than $100 for a one-month supply without insurance. With a free GoodRx coupon, you could pay less than $100 for a one-month supply of brand-name Adipex-P, $30 or less for brand-name Lomaira, and less than $20 for generic forms of phentermine.
That's significantly lower than some of the newer weight-loss drugs. For example, the list price for a 28-day supply of Zepbound is $1,060 and the list price for a 28-day supply of Wegovy is $1,350.
Here are GoodRx prices for a 30-day supply of different doses of generic and brand-name phentermine:
Phentermine type | Dosage form | GoodRx price* |
Adipex-P | 30 tablets, 37.5 mg | |
Generic | 30 capsules, 15 mg | |
Generic | 30 capsules, 30 mg | |
Generic | 30 capsules, 37.5 mg | |
Generic | 30 tablets, 37.5 mg | |
Lomaira | 30 tablets, 8 mg | |
Lomaira | 90 tablets, 8 mg (taken 3 times daily) |
*Note: Phentermine is a controlled substance, and some states will not allow you to use coupons on a controlled substance. So you may not be able to get the GoodRx discount in those places.
How can I get phentermine at an affordable price?
Phentermine is much less expensive than some other weight-loss medications. Choosing the generic medication and using the GoodRx app or a GoodRx coupon can help you pay the lowest price.
The manufacturer of Lomaira has a savings card that brings the price down to 50 cents or less per tablet. Your price per pill could be less (about 30 cents each) with a GoodRx coupon if you fill a 90-tablet monthly prescription for a dose taken 3 times a day.
The Adipex-P savings card program was discontinued as of February 1, 2024.
The bottom line
Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira) is one of the most affordable oral weight-loss medications. Available in tablets and capsules, phentermine has proven effective for decades.
Without insurance, a one-month supply of brand-name Adipex-P can cost more than $100. With a GoodRx coupon, you could pay less than $100 for a one-month supply of Adipex-P, $30 or less for brand-name Lomaira, and $20 or less for generic medication.
Lomaira’s manufacturer has a savings card that can reduce the price to less than 50 cents per pill. The GoodRx discount can give you an even lower price for a 3-dose-a-day prescription.
Medicare doesn’t cover weight-loss medications, but your Medicaid, commercial insurance, or military insurance or benefits may include phentermine. Keep in mind that since phentermine is a controlled substance, your state regulations may not allow the use of discount cards on your prescription.
Why trust our experts?
References
Hinton, E., et al. (2023). Amid unwinding of pandemic-era policies, Medicaid programs continue to focus on delivery systems, benefits, and reimbursement rates: Results from an annual Medicaid budget survey for state fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Kolata, G. (1997). How fen-phen, a diet 'miracle,' rose and fell. The New York Times.
KVK Tech, Inc. (n.d.). The Lomaira Lo-Cost Access Program.
KVK Tech, Inc. (n.d.). What is Lomaira?
Lewis, K. H., et al. (2019). Safety and effectiveness of longer-term phentermine use: Clinical outcomes from an electronic health record cohort. Obesity.
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. (2020). Phentermine. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Márquez-Cruz, M., et al. (2021). Three- and six-month efficacy and safety of phentermine in a Mexican obese population. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Obesity Medicine Association. (2023). Does insurance cover weight loss medication?
Tirrell, M. (2023). CNN exclusive: Older weight loss drugs are making a comeback as Zepbound, Wegovy remain out of reach for many. CNN Health.
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