Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) is a brand-name extended-release oral capsule prescribed for weight loss. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Qsymia has a savings program.
Specifically, Qsymia is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term weight management in some adults with obesity or overweight in certain situations. Qsymia is also approved for this use in certain children ages 12 years and older.
Qsymia comes in an extended-release form. With extended release, the drug is slowly released into the body over a long period after you take your dose.
As with all medications, the cost of Qsymia can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Qsymia has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Qsymia will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your Qsymia prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
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Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy or order online and instantly save up to 80% without using insurance. The coupon doesn't expire, so be sure to save it for refills.
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Qsymia is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.
Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Qsymia long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Qsymia. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Qsymia may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
The manufacturer of Qsymia offers a mail-order program. You can learn more details and register for Qsymia Engage by visiting the program website.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for Qsymia, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A Qsymia Savings Card is available. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for the card, call 855-264-9634 or visit the program website.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Qsymia.
What is the cost of Qsymia without insurance?
Typically, the cost of Qsymia is higher without insurance than with insurance. However, the price you’ll pay for Qsymia if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors, including:
- the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
- your dosage
- whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
- the pharmacy you use
To learn the exact cost you’d pay for this medication without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may also want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for Qsymia. In addition, drug savings programs such as the Qsymia Savings Card may help reduce the cost of the medication. (To learn more about this, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section above.)
You can also check out Optum Perks* for estimates of Qsymia’s price when using coupons from the site. (Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.)
How does Qsymia’s cost compare with that of medications such as phentermine?
The price you would pay for Qsymia versus phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira) or other medications depends on various factors. For example, whether the medication is a generic or brand-name drug may affect its price. Qsymia is a brand-name drug, and phentermine is a generic. Brand-name drugs typically cost more than generics, so Qsymia may cost more than phentermine. (Qsymia isn’t available in a generic version.)
There are additional factors that can affect your prescription cost, including:
- the length of your treatment
- whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment
- whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance
Similar to Qsymia, phentermine is approved to help with weight loss, along with a diet and exercise plan, in certain people.
To learn more about paying for Qsymia, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section above. For more information about the cost of Qsymia compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Qsymia.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Qsymia. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Qsymia in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether to cover the medication.
If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Qsymia requires prior authorization.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Qsymia, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Qsymia. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Qsymia.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Information about weight management. For more information about obesity treatment, explore our:
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.