Qsymia dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes Qsymia’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Qsymia. To learn more about Qsymia, talk with your doctor.

Qsymia is a brand-name medication that comes as an extended-release capsule that you swallow. It isn’t available in a generic version.

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Dosage of Qsymia

This article describes the recommended dosages for Qsymia. The drugmaker provides these dosages. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Qsymia without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of Qsymia in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Qsymia. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Qsymia that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for long-term weight management

Below is the usual dosage for Qsymia for long-term weight management:

• Starting dosage: 3.75 milligrams (mg)/23 mg daily for 14 days, then increased to 7.5 mg/46 mg daily
• Maintenance dosage: 7.5 mg/46 mg daily or 15 mg/92 mg daily
• Maximum dosage: 15 mg/92 mg daily

It’s recommended to take Qsymia in the morning since taking it at night may cause insomnia (trouble sleeping or falling asleep).

Your doctor will check your weight loss after taking Qsymia 7.5 mg/46 mg daily for 12 weeks. If your body weight hasn’t decreased by at least 3%, then your doctor will likely increase your dosage to 11.25 mg/69 mg daily for 14 days. Then, you’ll take Qsymia 15 mg/92 mg daily for 12 weeks. If your body weight hasn’t decreased by at least 5% after taking this dosage, your doctor will likely stop the medication.

If you’re taking Qsymia 15 mg/92 mg daily and would like to stop taking the drug, your doctor will lower your dosage slowly. They’ll recommend you take this dose every other day for at least 7 days before stopping it completely. This is to help prevent seizures. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to stop taking Qsymia.

Note: Qsymia contains two active ingredients, phentermine and topiramate, that have different strengths. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) For more details about the strengths of Qsymia, see the “Form and strengths” section below.

Dosages of Qsymia in children

Qsymia is approved for use in certain children ages 12 years and older for weight management. Below is the recommended dosage for this use:

• Starting dosage: 3.75 mg/23 mg daily for 14 days, then increased to 7.5 mg/46 mg daily
• Maintenance dosage: 7.5 mg/46 mg daily or 15 mg/92 mg daily
• Maximum dosage: 15 mg/92 mg daily

Your child’s doctor will check your child’s body mass index (BMI) after taking Qsymia 7.5 mg/46 mg daily for 12 weeks. (BMI is an estimate of body fat based on height and weight.) If your child’s BMI hasn’t decreased by at least 3%, then their doctor will likely increase their dosage to 11.25 mg/69 mg daily for 14 days. Then, they’ll take Qsymia 15 mg/92 mg daily.

Your child’s doctor will monitor their BMI instead of just their weight. BMI takes into account both height and weight. So, it more accurately measures body fat than just weight. This is important because children are growing. So they may gain weight in the form of bone and muscle, even while they’re taking Qsymia.

Note: Qsymia contains two active ingredients, phentermine and topiramate, that have different strengths. For more details about the strengths of Qsymia, see the “Form and strengths” section below.

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Qsymia and its dosage.

Is Qsymia taken long term?

It can be. Doctors typically prescribe Qsymia as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you could take it long term. But your doctor will likely stop Qsymia if your weight hasn’t decreased enough after taking the highest dose for 12 weeks.

If you have questions about how long you should take Qsymia, talk with your doctor.

When does Qsymia start working?

Qsymia starts working within a few hours of taking it. But weight loss could take several weeks. Your doctor will likely check your weight loss after 12 weeks of treatment. They may increase your dosage if you haven’t had a certain amount of weight loss.

If your doctor increases your dose, they’ll likely check your weight loss after another 12 weeks of treatment. If you still haven’t had a certain amount of weight loss, they’ll likely stop Qsymia.

Talk with your doctor about your expected weight loss while taking Qsymia.

Can you start Qsymia on a higher dose than 3.75 mg/23 mg?

No, starting Qsymia on a higher dosage than 3.75 mg/23 mg daily for 14 days is not recommended. Your doctor will start at a lower dosage to reduce the risk of side effects from the drug. After 14 days, they’ll increase your dosage to 7.5 mg/46 mg daily.

Increasing your dosage too quickly or starting at a higher dose increases your risk of cognitive issues. These include difficulty remembering, paying attention, and finding words.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the higher doses of Qsymia.

Form and strengths of Qsymia

Qsymia is a combination drug containing two active ingredients: phentermine and topiramate. Qsymia comes as follows:

• Form: extended-release capsule that you swallow
• Strengths:
  • phentermine 3.75 mg/topiramate 23 mg
  • phentermine 7.5 mg/topiramate 46 mg
  • phentermine 11.25 mg/topiramate 69 mg
  • phentermine 15 mg/topiramate 92 mg

With extended-release, the drug is released slowly in your body over time.

Qsymia coupon

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Overdose of Qsymia

It’s important that you do not take more Qsymia than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Qsymia overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea and abdominal pain
• restlessness
• tremor
• rapid breathing
• overactive reflex responses
• confusion
• aggressiveness
• hallucinations
• panicked state
• irregular heart beat
• low or high blood pressure
• seizure
• coma

What to do if you take too much Qsymia

If you think you’ve taken too much Qsymia, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.