Research

Hormonal

Phentermine-topiramate extended-release is a highly effective alternative for weight loss, particularly for patients who cannot use GLP-1 agonists, achieving high percentages of total body weight loss.

If GLP-1 drugs are too expensive or not covered by insurance, Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia) is a strong alternative that can help you lose around 10-11% of your body weight. It is a daily pill. Be aware of potential side effects like irritability or sleep issues, which can often be managed by adjusting the dose or taking the medication earlier in the day. It is contraindicated if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or a history of seizures.

StrongSupportsVERY_HIGH confidence
Phentermine-topiramate... can achieve higher weight loss at lower doses of each medication, thus lessening the chance of dose-dependent adverse effects... Phentermine-topiramate ER... 15/92 mg... 10.8% [vs placebo]
Yael Mauer et al. · Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine · 2021

Why this rating

Supported by multiple RCTs cited in Table 3 (EQUIP, CONQUER, SEQUEL).

Source

Antiobesity drug therapy: An individualized and comprehensive approach

Yael Mauer et al. · Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine · 2021

narrative_reviewCited 18×
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