Key takeaways:
Qsymia is an oral weight-loss medication that combines phentermine and topiramate ER. It's available as a brand-name medication as well as a lower-cost generic.
Without insurance, a 30-day supply of Qsymia 7.5 mg / 46 mg capsules costs $257.97 on average ($170.90 for the generic version).
GoodRx offers exclusive savings for brand-name Qsymia as well as a discounted price on the generic version. Savings are also available through Qsymia's manufacturer for those with insurance coverage as well as those paying out of pocket.
Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate ER) is an oral weight-loss medication That's FDA-approved for adults and adolescents. It's more affordable than the newer GLP-1 medications, and doesn't require injections. But how much does Qsymia cost without insurance? And are there ways to save on the cost? Here's what you need to know.
How much does Qsymia cost without insurance?
Qsymia comes as a brand-name medication as well as a lower-cost generic. The chart below shows the average cost of 30 Qsymia capsules without insurance by dose and form (brand versus generic).
Dose and form | Average cash price for 30 capsules |
|---|---|
Qsymia 3.75 mg / 23 mg | |
Phentermine / topiramate ER 3.75 mg / 23 mg | |
Qsymia 7.5 mg / 46 mg | |
Phentermine / topiramate ER 7.5 mg / 46 mg | |
Qsymia 11.25 mg / 69 mg | |
Phentermine / topiramate ER 11.25 mg / 69 mg | |
Qsymia 15 mg / 92 mg | |
phentermine / topiramate ER 15 mg / 92 mg |
Which factors affect the cost of Isentress?
Several factors can affect the cost of Qsymia, including:
Location: Where you live can affect the cost of your medication. For example, according to GoodRx research, medications are typically more affordable in Denver than in New Orleans.
Pharmacy: Cash prices can vary from one pharmacy to another, even in the same neighborhood. It’s a good idea to check a few options before filling your prescription. Keep in mind that some insurance plans may require you to use a specialty pharmacy to fill this medication.
Dose and dosage form: Your Qsymia dose and whether you take the brand or generic form will play a role in your monthly costs.
Insurance coverage: You’ll typically pay less for Qsymia if your prescription insurance covers it. But your copay may vary based on your plan’s formulary (more on that next).
Is Qsymia covered by insurance?
Some health insurance plans cover Qsymia. Nearly all commercial plans not purchased through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and about one-third of Medicaid and ACA plans cover this medication. Keep in mind that your plan may prefer the generic version of Qsymia over the brand-name.
Many health insurance plans require enrollees to get prior authorization. This means your prescriber may need to submit information explaining why Qsymia is medically necessary before your plan will cover it. A few plans also require enrollees to do step therapy. This means you’re required to try other treatments (or explain why you aren’t able to take them) before the plan will cover Qsymia.
If you have insurance, review your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary (list of covered medications) to determine whether Qsymia (or its generic) is covered, and how much you can expect to pay. Medications are often classified into different tiers within a formulary — a lower tier typically means a lower copay. You may also have coinsurance or a deductible that affects your cost. You can access your plan’s formulary online or by calling the customer service number on your prescription insurance card.
How different insurance plans cover Qsymia
The table below breaks down the percentage of enrollees who have coverage for Qsymia by insurance type. It also shows the likelihood of having prior authorization and step therapy requirements.
Insurance coverage for Qsymia 7.5 mg / 46 mg
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Qsymia, 7.5 mg / 46 mg capsule | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 89.6% | 70.5% | 1.4% |
33.2% | 26.5% | 0.4% | |
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans | 1.9% | 1.7% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 38.3% | 35.1% | 1.3% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of May 12, 2025. (See methodology below.)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Qsymia, you still have options:
Lower your cost with a manufacturer copay savings card, a patient assistance program, or medication discount programs, such as GoodRx. (See below for details.)
Ask your health plan to cover Qsymia by submitting a formulary exception request. Your prescriber may need to provide documentation and a letter of medical necessity explaining why this medication is required for your condition.
If the formulary exception request is denied, file an appeal.
Ask your prescriber about switching to a Qsymia alternative that your insurance may cover or comes at a lower cost.
Compare insurance plans during the next open enrollment period to find one that offers better coverage for weight-loss medications.
Ways to save on Qsymia?
There are several ways to save on the cost of Qsymia.
1. Access exclusive savings through GoodRx
A free GoodRx discount can help you save on the cost of Qsymia. The table below shows the typical GoodRx price at certain pharmacies for brand-name Qsymia and the generic version. Additional exclusive savings are also available for brand-name Qsymia at goodrx.com.
Dose and form | GoodRx price for 30 capsules |
|---|---|
Qsymia 3.75 mg / 23 mg | |
Phentermine / topiramate ER 3.75 mg / 23 mg | |
Qsymia 7.5 mg / 46 mg | |
Phentermine / topiramate ER 7.5 mg / 46 mg | |
Qsymia 11.25 mg / 69 mg | |
Phentermine / topiramate ER 11.25 mg / 69 mg | |
Qsymia 15 mg / 92 mg | |
phentermine / topiramate ER 15 mg / 92 mg |
To access this discount:
Visit www.goodrx.com or download the app.
Search for “Qsymia” then click or tap “Find the lowest prices.”
Select the brand or generic form and your prescribed dose and quantity.
Choose if you want to receive the discount information by text or email. You can also take a screenshot on your phone or save it to your phone’s digital wallet.
To avoid delays, provide the discount information to the pharmacy before you go in to pick up your prescription.
2. See if you qualify for manufacturer savings
The manufacturer of Qsymia offers two discount programs for brand-name Qsymia: the manufacturer savings card and Qsymia Engage.
Qsymia savings card
The Qsymia savings card offers a discounted price on brand-name Qsymia. You can use the card whether or not your insurance covers Qsymia. But you aren't eligible if you have government-funded insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
If you have commercial insurance, you'll pay the first $70 of your copay. The card will pay for up to $65 of the remaining copay amount. For example, if your copay is $100, you would pay $70 and the card would cover the rest. If your copay is $150, you would pay $85.
For those without insurance coverage, the savings card will discount your prescription cost by $75 per month ($70 for a 2-week supply of the 3.75 mg/23 mg dose).
Qsymia Engage program
Qsymia Engage is a program that provides home delivery for cash-paying consumers. You can pay as little as $70 for a 90-day supply of brand-name Qsymia through this program.
3. Tap into your HSA, FSA, or HRA
If you have a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), you can use it to help cover your out-of-pocket costs for Qsymia. These tax-advantaged health accounts let you pay for eligible expenses with tax-free dollars.
Pay directly with your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy, or cover the cost yourself and submit a request for reimbursement. The funds in an HSA or an HRA typically roll over annually, but you have to use your FSA dollars before the deadline or they’ll expire.
Frequently asked questions
In Qsymia studies, the average weight loss for people taking this medication was about 8% to 10% after 56 weeks (about 13 months). About 70% of participants lost at least 5% of their initial body weight after taking the highest Qsymia dose for a year. And almost 50% of participants lost at least 10% of their starting weight.
The “better” medication depends on your goals, preferences, and budget. Wegovy is a weekly injection, while Qsymia is a daily pill. Qsymia may take longer to work than Wegovy (2 months versus 1 month), on average. You may lose more weight on Wegovy, which can also improve your heart health. Each has a distinct list of side effects that you should consider. Wegovy is far more costly than Qsymia, but your out-of-pocket costs could be similar if both medications are covered by your insurance plan.
There isn’t one weight-loss pill that’s widely considered to be the most effective. Some studies suggest that Qsymia delivers the best results. But it’s a controlled substance, so this pill may not be the best option for you.
In Qsymia studies, the average weight loss for people taking this medication was about 8% to 10% after 56 weeks (about 13 months). About 70% of participants lost at least 5% of their initial body weight after taking the highest Qsymia dose for a year. And almost 50% of participants lost at least 10% of their starting weight.
The “better” medication depends on your goals, preferences, and budget. Wegovy is a weekly injection, while Qsymia is a daily pill. Qsymia may take longer to work than Wegovy (2 months versus 1 month), on average. You may lose more weight on Wegovy, which can also improve your heart health. Each has a distinct list of side effects that you should consider. Wegovy is far more costly than Qsymia, but your out-of-pocket costs could be similar if both medications are covered by your insurance plan.
There isn’t one weight-loss pill that’s widely considered to be the most effective. Some studies suggest that Qsymia delivers the best results. But it’s a controlled substance, so this pill may not be the best option for you.
The bottom line
Qsymia is an oral weight-loss medication that combines phentermine and topiramate ER. It's available as a brand-name medication as well as a lower-cost generic. Without insurance, a 30-day supply of Qsymia 7.5 mg / 46 mg capsules costs $257.97 on average ($170.90 for the generic version).
GoodRx offers exclusive savings for brand-name Qsymia as well as a discounted price on the generic version. Keep in mind that since Qsymia is a controlled substance, your state may not allow the use of discount cards on your prescription. Savings are also available through Qsymia's manufacturer for those with insurance coverage as well as those paying out of pocket..
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of May 2025.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
Medicaid.gov (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Qsymia. (2026). The Qsymia savings card.
Qsymia Engage. (2026). Qsymia Engage.
