Qsymia - Uses, Side Effects, and More

What are the most common side effects of Qsymia?

The most common side effects of Qsymia are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in your arms, feet, or face (paresthesia)
• Dizziness
• Loss of taste or change in how things taste
• Trouble sleeping
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Depression (children)
• Joint pain (children)
• Fever or flu-like symptoms (children)
• Sprained ankle (children)

There may be other side effects of Qsymia that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Qsymia?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Qsymia are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Suicidal Thoughts and Actions. Qsymia may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you’re about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

• New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
• Suicide attempt
• New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior

Mood Changes and Trouble Sleeping. Qsymia may cause problems with mood and sleep. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel depressed or anxious or have trouble sleeping while taking Qsymia.

Concentration, Memory, and Speech Problems. Qsymia may cause problems with concentration, memory, and speech. Tell your healthcare provider if you have trouble concentrating or paying attention, memory problems, confusion, or trouble concentrating or paying attention.

Increased Heart Rate. Qsymia can make your heartbeat faster than normal. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel like your heart is racing or pounding in your chest when you are at rest. 

Eye Problems. Qsymia can cause eye pain or changes in your vision. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye pain or problems seeing.

Growth Problems in Children. Qsymia can slow down how fast your child grows. This risk may be increased in children who get metabolic acidosis (see below) while taking Qsymia. Your healthcare provider may change your child’s dose of Qsymia or stop treatment if they are not growing as expected.

Metabolic Acidosis. Qsymia can cause a condition called metabolic acidosis. This happens when there is too much acid in the blood. If this condition is not treated, it can cause kidney stones, slowed growth in children, your bones can become soft or brittle (osteoporosis, osteomalacia (rickets), osteopenia), or cause harm to your unborn baby if you are pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of metabolic acidosis.

• Fast breathing or heartbeat
• Headache
• Feeling confused, weak, or tired
• Not feeling hungry
• Nausea or vomiting

Kidney Problems. Kidney problems can happen when taking Qsymia. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney problems.

• Reduced need to pee
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Seizures

Kidney Stones. Qsymia may cause kidney stones in some people. You may be more likely to develop kidney stones if you are on a ketogenic diet. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent kidney stones. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe pain in your side or back, or blood in your urine (pee).

Low Blood Sugar. People who have type 2 diabetes and take certain medicines to treat their diabetes may develop low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, after losing weight. You should check your blood sugar while taking Qsymia and tell your healthcare provider if your levels are lower than usual.

Low Blood Pressure. People who have high blood pressure, also called hypertension, and take medicines to lower their blood pressure may develop low blood pressure, also called hypotension, after losing weight. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Confusion
• Feeling weak or tired

Decreased Sweating and Body Temperature Increases. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice that you are sweating less or if you develop a fever, especially in hot weather. Some people may need to be treated in a hospital if this happens.

Low Potassium Levels. Low potassium levels, also called hypokalemia, can happen in people who are taking Qsymia, especially if you take other medicines that lower potassium levels. Your healthcare provider will monitor your potassium level while you are taking Qsymia. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of low potassium.

• Feeling weak or tired
• Muscle cramps or twitching
• Feeling of skipped or fast heart beats

Severe Skin Reactions. Qsymia can cause severe skin reactions called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) that can lead to death if not treated. Get emergency help right away at the first sign of a rash or if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

• Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
• Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
• Red, painful, watery eyes