How much does Qsymia cost per month?

Generic phentermine/topiramate ER runs about $30 to $80 a month. Brand Qsymia runs about $200 to $400. Prices vary by pharmacy, and the REMS programme limits which pharmacies can dispense it.

Is generic Qsymia available?

Yes. A generic phentermine/topiramate ER became available in 2025 at roughly $30 to $80 a month, well below the brand price. Ask your prescriber to write it generically.

Why can only certain pharmacies fill my Qsymia prescription?

The FDA label puts Qsymia under a restricted REMS programme because of the risk of birth defects from topiramate exposure in pregnancy. Only certified pharmacies may dispense it. Ask your prescriber which pharmacies near you are certified.

Should I use insurance or pay cash?

Compare both. At $30 to $80 a month, the generic cash price can be lower than an insurance copay. Ask the pharmacy what the cash price is and your insurer what your copay would be.

Why is Qsymia so much cheaper than the injectable drugs?

It is an older oral combination of two off-patent ingredients, and a generic version is on the market. The branded injectable GLP-1s are newer and still under patent, which is why their monthly prices run into four figures.

Qsymia cost and savings

What you'll actually pay

Generic phentermine/topiramate ER

~$30–$80/mo

Generic pricing starts around $30 a month

Brand Qsymia

~$200–$400/mo

Pharmacy retail range

If your plan covers it

Varies by plan

Depends on your formulary and any prior authorisation

Because Qsymia is dispensed under a REMS programme, only certified pharmacies can fill the prescription — so the cheapest pharmacy near you may not be an option.

Where Qsymia sits

$0/mo$1,400/mo

Generic oral options $30–$80Branded oral options $200–$400Branded injectable GLP-1s $1,000–$1,086

Detailed pricing

Qsymia: generic and brand

Qsymia: generic and brand
Option	Cost/Month	Notes
Generic phentermine/topiramate ER	~$30–$80/mo	Available since 2025
Brand Qsymia	~$200–$400/mo	Pharmacy retail range
With insurance	Varies by plan	Check the formulary tier and whether prior authorisation is required

List prices from the manufacturer and pharmacy pricing recorded in the site's cost data, last checked September 2026. Ask a certified pharmacy for a current cash price — the REMS programme limits where you can fill it.

Insurance coverage reality

Coverage varies from plan to plan and many plans require prior authorisation for weight loss medicines. Two things are specific to Qsymia. First, the generic is cheap enough that a cash price may beat a copay — worth comparing before you use insurance. Second, the FDA label puts Qsymia under a restricted REMS programme because of the risk to a pregnancy, so only certified pharmacies can dispense it. Ask your prescriber which pharmacies near you are certified.

How to get the lowest cost

Ask for the generic

Generic phentermine/topiramate ER runs about $30–$80 a month against $200–$400 for brand Qsymia. Ask your prescriber to write it generically.

Compare cash price to your copay

At $30–$80 a month, the generic cash price can be lower than an insurance copay. Ask the pharmacy for both numbers.

Find a certified pharmacy first

Only pharmacies certified under the Qsymia REMS programme can dispense it. Sorting that out before you compare prices saves a wasted trip.

Check the formulary

Ask your insurer whether phentermine/topiramate is listed, at what tier, and whether prior authorisation is needed.

Common questions

Written and maintained by one person · Built with agentic AI tools · Every number checked against the cited trial · Not medical advice

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Full Qsymia overview →Qsymia results in trials →Qsymia side effects →What to expect week by week →All drug prices side by side →All Qsymia clinical evidence →

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Last reviewed: September 2026

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Medical disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment. Prices shown are United States self-pay or list prices and vary by insurance and country.