Qsymia vs Wegovy in San Antonio, TX | How They Compare | TeleSlim Clinic
Qsymia vs Wegovy in San Antonio, TX: How They Compare
Qsymia and Wegovy are both FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition, along with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. They are very different medicines. Here is a balanced side-by-side for San Antonio patients.
At a glance
- Qsymia: a once-daily capsule combining phentermine and topiramate extended-release. A Schedule IV controlled substance. See Qsymia in San Antonio.
- Wegovy: a once-weekly injection of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Not a controlled substance. See Wegovy in San Antonio.
Key differences
- Form: a daily capsule versus a weekly injection.
- How they work: Qsymia combines an appetite suppressant with a second medicine; Wegovy acts on the GLP-1 receptor.
- Safety highlights for Qsymia: not for use in pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects; not for people with glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, or within 14 days of an MAO inhibitor. Common effects can include tingling in the hands or feet, dizziness, altered taste, trouble sleeping, constipation and dry mouth.
- Safety highlights for Wegovy: a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents; not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Common effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. Serious risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.
- Other approvals: Wegovy is also approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.
- Prescribing rules: because Qsymia is Schedule IV, controlled-substance rules apply. Under the federal telemedicine rules currently in effect, a DEA-registered, Texas-licensed physician can prescribe it after a video evaluation. Requirements can change.
Questions from San Antonio patients
Which one is better?
We do not claim one is better for everyone. Your physician weighs your health history, other medicines, plans for pregnancy, preferences and budget.
Can I take them together?
No. Do not combine weight-loss products unless your physician directs it.
Cost and how to get started
TeleSlim Clinic visits are self-pay: $99 for the first video consultation and $99 per month for physician follow-up, with lower per-month rates on 3-month, 6-month and annual plans (see our cost guide for San Antonio). The medication is a separate cost paid at the pharmacy or through manufacturer programs. Cash prices for weight-loss medications typically run about $150 to $450 per month depending on the medicine and dose, and they change over time, so ask your pharmacy for the current price. We provide a superbill you can submit to your insurer, but reimbursement is not guaranteed (see insurance and weight loss medication in San Antonio).
TeleSlim Clinic does not dispense medication, and we do not offer compounded GLP-1 medications. If your physician prescribes a medicine, the prescription goes to the pharmacy you choose. Visits are by video with Dr. Diala Alatassi, MD, DABIM, DABOM, FACP, who is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine and licensed to practice in Texas. TeleSlim Clinic serves adults 18 and older.
Book your $99 video visit to talk through your options with a Texas-licensed physician.
Related reading: weight loss pills without needles, pregnancy, birth control and weight loss medication, phentermine, weight loss medications in San Antonio.
This page is general education, not medical advice. Whether a medication is appropriate is a decision made by a physician after an evaluation. Individual results vary. Always read the manufacturer's full prescribing information.
