Qsymia side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Qsymia for weight management, along with diet and exercise, in:

• adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above (“obese”)
• adults with a BMI of 27 to 30 (“overweight”) and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes
• children ages 12 years and older with a BMI in the 95th percentile* or higher (“obese”)

This article describes possible side effects of Qsymia. You can learn more about Qsymia by talking with your doctor.

Qsymia is a brand-name medication that comes as an extended-release capsule. (Extended release means the drug is released slowly into your body over time.) It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes possible side effects of Qsymia.

* Percentiles express a child’s BMI relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.

More common side effects of Qsymia

Below are some of the more common side effects of Qsymia that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the age of the person it was prescribed for.

More common side effects reported in adults taking Qsymia include:

• pins and needles sensation
• dizziness
• metallic taste in the mouth
• insomnia
• constipation

More common side effects reported in children ages 12 years and older taking Qsymia include:

• depression
• dizziness
• joint pain
• fever
• flu

Mild side effects of Qsymia

Qsymia may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Qsymia that occurred in studies include:

• constipation
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fever
• flu
• insomnia
• joint pain
• metallic taste in the mouth
• pins and needles sensation
• hair loss*

Qsymia may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Qsymia in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of Qsymia

Qsymia may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Qsymia, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Qsymia.

Serious side effects of Qsymia that occurred in studies include:

• decreased sweating and increased body temperature
• increased heart rate
• kidney stones
• low blood potassium
• mental health side effects, including depression
• metabolic acidosis
• seizures, if treatment with Qsymia is suddenly stopped
• serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• slowed growth, in children
• worsened kidney function
• eye-related side effects*
• cognitive side effects*
• suicidal thoughts or behaviors

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Qsymia in detail” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Qsymia can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, are possible with Qsymia. If you have any signs of a skin rash, contact your doctor right away.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Qsymia, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Common questions about side effects of Qsymia

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Qsymia. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Qsymia cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible for Qsymia to cause long-term side effects.

These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. In other cases, these side effects may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking Qsymia.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with Qsymia include:

• eye-related side effects*
• kidney stones
• low blood potassium
• metabolic acidosis
• seizures, if you suddenly stop taking Qsymia after using it for a long time
• slowed growth, in children

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of Qsymia may last.

Will the side effects of Qsymia go away?

Yes, in most cases. Mild side effects of Qsymia are typically temporary and go away on their own or with treatment.

Rarely, though, the drug may cause long-term side effects. See the question above to see a few examples. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.

Can Qsymia cause side effects related to blood pressure?

No, not directly. However, people with high blood pressure who take Qsymia should monitor their blood pressure closely.

Qsymia is prescribed for weight management. Weight loss can increase the risk of low blood pressure in people who take medications to treat high blood pressure. Symptoms of low blood pressure to watch for include dizziness and feeling lightheaded.

If Qsymnia is effective for weight management, your doctor may lower the dose of your blood pressure medications. But you should not change the dose of your medications on your own. Instead, tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low blood pressure during treatment.

Side effects of Qsymia in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Qsymia.

Eye-related side effects

In studies, eye-related side effects were rare in people taking Qsymia. These side effects may be serious.

Eye-related side effects reported with Qsymia include:

• decreased field of vision; this typically goes away if Qsymia treatment is stopped
• angle-closure glaucoma, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated right away

Angle-closure glaucoma can occur at any time during Qsymia treatment. But it’s most likely to happen within the first month of taking the drug.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of eye-related side effects, immediately tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment as quickly as possible. But stopping Qsymia suddenly can cause seizures, so do not stop taking the drug on your own. Your doctor will develop a plan for you to safely stop taking the drug as soon as possible. Your doctor may also suggest seeking treatment for your eye symptoms if they are severe.

Hair loss

In studies, hair loss was rare in people taking Qsymia. This side effect is usually mild, but it can cause significant emotional distress.

Based on results from these studies, it’s not clear where the hair loss occurred, or to what degree.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of hair loss, tell your doctor. They may suggest stopping treatment with Qsymia. But do not stop taking the drug on your own. Suddenly stopping Qsymia treatment can cause seizures. If you need to stop treatment, your doctor can develop a plan to safely lower your dose until you can safely stop taking Qsymia.

Cognitive side effects

In studies, cognitive side effects were rare in people using Qsymia. This side effect may be serious.

Cognition refers to thinking abilities such as paying attention, reasoning, and remembering. Cognitive side effects reported with Qsymia include:

• problems paying attention
• memory problems
• speech or language problems, particularly word-finding difficulties
• drowsiness

Cognitive side effects can affect your ability to complete certain tasks while taking Qsymia. Examples include your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. It’s best to avoid these activities until you know how taking Qsymia affects you.

Certain factors can increase the risk of cognitive side effects with Qsymia. These include consuming alcohol (if applicable) or using other drugs that can cause cognitive side effects. Examples of other drugs that can cause these effects include benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) and sleep medications like eszopiclone (Lunesta).

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of cognitive side effects, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend reducing your Qsymia dosage or stopping treatment entirely.

Warnings for Qsymia

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Qsymia.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Qsymia if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Qsymia is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking Qsymia, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• arrhythmia
• epilepsy or other conditions that cause seizures
• eye problems, particularly glaucoma
• a history of metabolic acidosis
• having a condition that places you at an increased risk of metabolic acidosis, such as chronic diarrhea or low bone density
• kidney conditions, including kidney stones
• receiving kidney dialysis
• liver condition, such as cirrhosis
• mental health or mood condition, such as depression or suicidal thoughts
• past heart attack or stroke
• type 2 diabetes
• past allergic reaction to Qsymia

Qsymia and pregnancy

Qsymia should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Qsymia. They may also order pregnancy tests prior to prescribing Qsymia to you and monthly during your treatment.

Note: Due to the risk of harm if taken during pregnancy, Qsymia is only available through select certified pharmacies. This website from the drugmaker shows pharmacies certified to dispense Qsymia. You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Qsymia and breastfeeding

Qsymia should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Qsymia.

Qsymia and alcohol

Qsymia is known to interact with alcohol. Consuming alcohol can increase your risk of certain side effects of Qsymia, including dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired coordination.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Qsymia.

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.