Plenity vs. Qsymia
Are Plenity and Qsymia the Same Thing?
Plenity (cellulose and citric acid) and Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) are used as adjuncts to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults.
Plenity and Qsymia belong to different drug classes. Plenity is a medication that promotes fullness and Qsymia is a combination appetite suppressant/stimulant and seizure medication.
Side effects of Plenity and Qsymia that are similar include stomach/abdominal pain or upset, constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion.
Side effects of Plenity that are different from Qsymia include abdominal distension, bloating, irregular bowel movements, changes in frequency and consistency of bowel movements, cramping, difficulty swallowing, belching, gas, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and vomiting.
Side effects of Qsymia that are different from Plenity include mood changes such as depression, trouble sleeping (insomnia), confusion, dizziness, anxiety, tiredness, irritability, numbness or tingly feeling, altered sense of taste, unpleasant taste in your mouth, dry mouth, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, runny or stuffy nose, sinus infection, back pain, flu symptoms, bronchitis, fatigue, nausea, cough, urinary tract infection (UTI), blurred vision, pain in extremities, rash, muscle spasms, thirst, eye pain, dry eyes, palpitations, hair loss, loss of appetite, changes in menstrual periods, muscle pain, neck pain, and problems with concentration, attention, memory or speech.
Plenity may interact with other oral medications taken at the same time.
Qsymia may interact with birth control pills, other drugs that make you drowsy (opioid medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures), acetazolamide, methazolamide, zonisamide, valproic acid or divalproex sodium, diuretics (water pills), and insulin or oral diabetes medicines.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Plenity?
Common side effects of Plenity are mild and include:
- abdominal distension,
- abdominal pain,
- bloating,
- irregular bowel movements,
- changes in frequency and consistency of bowel movements,
- constipation,
- cramping,
- diarrhea,
- indigestion,
- difficulty swallowing,
- belching,
- gas,
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and
- vomiting
What Are Possible Side Effects of Qsymia?
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.
What Is Plenity?
Plenity (cellulose and citric acid) is an oral capsule that promotes fullness and may help to increase satiety to help patients manage their weight and is indicated to aid in weight management in overweight and obese adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25-40 kg/m2, when used in conjunction with diet and exercise.
What Is Qsymia?
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.
What Drugs Interact With Plenity?
Plenity may interact with other oral medications taken at the same time. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
What Drugs Interact With Qsymia?
Other medications may interact with Qsymia. Tell your doctor all medications you use.
How Should Plenity be Taken?
Plenity is supplied in double blister packs that, together, provide the two doses patients take daily. Each individual blister pack holds a single dose of three (3) capsules, to be administered with water before lunch and dinner.
How Should Qsymia be Taken?
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.

