10
Anti-obesity Medication Summary
Agent/Dose Description
Main Side Effects/
Adverse Reactions
Phentermine
HCL (Lomaira
®
,
Adipex-P
®
)
Capsule or tablet
taken daily, twice
daily, or three times
daily
With or without
food
Sympathomimetic
amine approved
in 1959. It is a DEA
Schedule IV stimulant
agent approved for
short-term use (12
weeks).
Reported weight loss
varies f rom 5-12% after
3-6 months.
• Headache,
blood pressure
elevation,increased
heart
rate,overstimulation,
tremor, dry mouth,
restlessness,
constipation, and
insomnia
Phentermine/
Topiramate
(Qsymia
®
) ER
Starting Dose:
3.75 mg/23 mg PO
QAM;
MAX: 7.5 mg/46 mg
• Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA)
schedule IV drug
• Combination of
phentermine
(sympathomimetic
amine, anti-
obesity drug) and
topiramate (used to
treat seizures and
migraine headaches)
• Average weight
loss of 10% of body
weight
• Same as for
Phentermine
• Additional side effects
due to topiramate
include paresthesia
(tingling or numb
feelings to extremities),
dizziness, dysgeusia
(abnormal taste)
• Monitor for increased
heart rate, suicidal
behavior/ideation,
mood and sleep
disorders, cognitive
impairment, metabolic
acidosis, elevated
creatinine, and low
blood sugars in
patients on anti-
diabetes medications.
• Discontinue with acute
myopia and secondary
angle glaucoma.
• Peds ≥age 12:
depression, dizziness,
arthralgia, pyrexia,
influenza, and
ligament sprain
Anti-obesity Pharmacotherapy
