Belviq vs. Qsymia

• Are Belviq and Qsymia the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Belviq?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Qsymia?
• What Is Belviq?
• What Is Qsymia?
• What Drugs Interact with Belviq?
• What Drugs Interact with Qsymia?
• How Should Belviq Be Taken?
• How Should Qsymia Be Taken?

Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) and Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) are used for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.

Belviq is also approved for use by adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Belviq and Qsymia belong to different drug classes. Belviq is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist and Qsymia is a combination appetite suppressant/stimulant and seizure medication.

Common side effects of Belviq include:

• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
• mental problems,
• slow heartbeat,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• feeling tired,
• fatigue,
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• cough,
• back pain,
• constipation,
• painful erections,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• urinary tract infection,
• muscle pain,
• sore throat, or
• rash.

Common side effects of Qsymia include:

• mood changes such as depression,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• confusion,
• dizziness,
• anxiety,
• tiredness,
• irritability,
• constipation,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• altered sense of taste,
• dry mouth,
• unpleasant taste in your mouth,
• headache,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• sinus infection,
• back pain,
• flu symptoms,
• bronchitis,
• fatigue,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• cough,
• urinary tract infection,
• blurred vision,
• pain in extremities,
• depression,
• rash,
• stomach pain or upset,
• muscle spasms,
• indigestion,
• thirst,
• eye pain,
• dry eyes,
• palpitations,
• hair loss,
• loss of appetite,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• muscle pain,
• neck pain, or
• problems with concentration, attention, memory or speech.

Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Belviq is also approved for use by adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) is a combination appetite suppressant/stimulant and seizure medication indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults.

Belviq may interact with antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), triptans, bupropion, dextromethorphan, or St. John's Wort. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Other medications may interact with Qsymia. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Belviq is taken orally. The recommended dosage of Belviq is one 10mg tablets taken twice per day. Belviq should be discontinued if 5% weight loss is not achieved by week 12 of therapy.

Dosing of Qsymia is based on the body mass index (BMI) of the patient. Start treatment with Qsymia 3.75 mg/23 mg (phentermine 3.75 mg/topiramate 23 mg extended-release) daily for 14 days; after 14 days increase to the recommended dose of Qsymia 7.5 mg/46 mg (phentermine 7.5 mg/topiramate 46 mg extended-release) once daily. Weight loss should be evaluated 12 weeks after the start of treatment.