Updated May 2026
Mounjaro vs Qsymia
Side-by-side comparison of Mounjaro (tirzepatide (T2D injection)) and Qsymia (phentermine + topiramate ER) across efficacy, food restrictions, monthly cost, and Medicare Bridge coverage.
Our pick for most patients
Qsymia
Based on the data below, Qsymia wins on lower cash price ($230/mo vs $1069/mo). Your situation may differ — try the personalized matcher on the homepage or compute your real out-of-pocket with the cost calculator on each medication's detail page.
Mounjaro
tirzepatide (T2D injection) · Eli Lilly and Company
No food restriction
Full Mounjaro guide → Qsymia
phentermine + topiramate ER · Vivus LLC
Take in the morning (avoid evening)
Full Qsymia guide → | Field | Mounjaro | Qsymia |
|---|---|---|
| Route | injection · weekly | tablet · daily |
| Avg weight loss | 12–16% | 7–11% |
| Food restriction | No food restriction | Take in the morning (avoid evening) |
| Cash from | $1069/mo | $230/mo |
| Savings card | — | — |
| Medicare Bridge | Tier 4 | Tier 3 |
| A1c reduction | −2.4% | — |
| FDA approved | 2022-05 | 2012-07 |
- RouteMounjaroinjection · weeklyQsymiatablet · daily
- Avg weight lossMounjaro12–16%Qsymia7–11%
- Food restrictionMounjaroNo food restrictionQsymiaTake in the morning (avoid evening)
- Cash fromMounjaro$1069/moQsymia$230/mo
- Savings cardMounjaro—Qsymia—
- Medicare BridgeMounjaroTier 4QsymiaTier 3
- A1c reductionMounjaro−2.4%Qsymia—
- FDA approvedMounjaro2022-05Qsymia2012-07
Pick Mounjaro if…
- You can't reliably do a fasting window before meds
- You want the higher peak efficacy (16% vs 11%)
Pick Qsymia if…
- You can't reliably do a fasting window before meds
- Cash pay matters more than peak weight loss ($230/mo cheaper)
- You're needle-averse
Not sure which fits?
The 30-second matcher on the homepage scores every 2026 GLP-1 against your goals + preferences and recommends the best fit.