| Obesity
Qsymia vs Zepbound
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for obesity.Deep comparison between: Qsymia vs Zepbound with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsZepbound has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Qsymia based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Zepbound but not Qsymia, including UnitedHealthcare
Sign up to reveal the full AI analysis
Category
Qsymia
Zepbound
At A Glance
Oral
Once daily
Sympathomimetic amine anorectic combination
SC injection
Once weekly
GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
Indications
- Obesity
- Obesity
- Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Dosing
Obesity Start 3.75 mg/23 mg orally once daily in the morning for 14 days, then increase to 7.5 mg/46 mg once daily; may escalate to 11.25 mg/69 mg then 15 mg/92 mg based on weight loss response; maximum dose 7.5 mg/46 mg in moderate or severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment; avoid in severe hepatic impairment and end-stage renal disease on dialysis.
Obesity Starting dose 2.5 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks, escalating in 2.5 mg increments every 4 weeks; maintenance 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg SC once weekly.
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Starting dose 2.5 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks, escalating in 2.5 mg increments every 4 weeks; maintenance 10 mg or 15 mg SC once weekly.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Glaucoma
- Hyperthyroidism
- Concomitant use or within 14 days of stopping a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- Known hypersensitivity to phentermine, topiramate, or any excipient in QSYMIA, or idiosyncrasy to sympathomimetic amines
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any excipient in ZEPBOUND
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=5%) Paraesthesia, dizziness, dysgeusia, insomnia, constipation, dry mouth
Serious Embryo-fetal toxicity, suicidal behavior and ideation, acute angle-closure glaucoma, mood and sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, metabolic acidosis, decreased renal function, seizure with abrupt withdrawal, kidney stones, oligohydrosis and hyperthermia, hypokalemia, DRESS/multiorgan hypersensitivity, serious skin reactions, anaphylaxis and angioedema
Postmarketing Suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, acute angle closure glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, urticaria, elevation of blood pressure, ischemic events, euphoria, psychosis, tremor, anaphylaxis, angioedema, bullous skin reactions (erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis), pancreatitis, hepatic failure, hyperammonemia with or without encephalopathy, maculopathy
Most common (>=2%) Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, injection site reactions, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, eructation, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease, flatulence, abdominal distension, dizziness
Serious Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, severe gastrointestinal reactions, acute kidney injury, acute gallbladder disease, acute pancreatitis, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema, hypoglycemia, diabetic retinopathy complications, pulmonary aspiration
Postmarketing Acute pancreatitis, hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis, ileus, intestinal obstruction, severe constipation including fecal impaction, anaphylaxis, angioedema, pulmonary aspiration, acute renal failure or worsening of chronic renal failure
Pharmacology
Phentermine, a sympathomimetic amine, reduces appetite via hypothalamic catecholamine release; topiramate enhances satiety and suppresses appetite through GABA augmentation, voltage-gated ion channel modulation, AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor inhibition, and carbonic anhydrase inhibition, though the precise mechanism of action for weight reduction is not fully established for either component.
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist that selectively binds and activates both receptors, reducing body weight by decreasing caloric intake and affecting appetite regulation, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, reducing glucagon secretion, and delaying gastric emptying.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Qsymia
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (0/12) · Qty limit (6/12)
Zepbound
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (9/12) · Step Therapy (0/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Qsymia
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (4/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Zepbound
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (4/8) · Qty limit (1/8)
Humana
Qsymia
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (0/3) · Step Therapy (0/3) · Qty limit (0/3)
Zepbound
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (1/3) · Qty limit (0/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
No savings programs available for Qsymia.
$25/fillfill
Zepbound Savings Card - Covered benefitCommercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
Final cost depends on formulary coverage
Compare Other Drugs
Let us handle your prior authsJust enter your patient's info and we'll:
- Verify eligibility with the payer.
- Pull the right PA forms directly from the payer.
- Submit, track & send live updates to your dashboard.
Free to start · HIPAA compliant
Next Steps for Your Patient
QsymiaView full Qsymia profile
ZepboundView full Zepbound profile
Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.