Phentermine vs Topiramate Comparison: Which Is Better For Weight Loss?
Obesity has become an increasing concern worldwide. This carries tons of other health risks, such as heart attacks, liver issues, cholesterol, etc. There are several home remedies, such as exercise and a healthy diet, to overcome this. But these home remedies are not very effective for people who are extremely overweight. Certain medications, such as Phentermine and Topiramate, are given to such individuals along with a healthy diet and daily exercise. In this blog, we will discuss Phentermine vs Topiramate to give you all the detailed insights regarding the suitable drug for you to choose for weight management.
Distinguish Between Phentermine vs Topiramate: Doses, Drug Interactions, & Half-Life
What Is Phentermine?
Phentermine is a drug that boosts weight loss in obese people and makes them healthier. It is available under the brand names Adipex-P and Lomaira. Phentermine stimulates the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which reduces appetite. Reduction in appetite will lead to low-calorie intake, which would ultimately result in weight loss. Phentermine must be combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet for better results. This drug comes under the category of a Schedule IV drug because it has comparatively lower potential for addiction and dependency.
Certain conditions make individuals ineligible for Phentermine. They are:
- A history of heart disease
- Severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Overactive thyroid
- Glaucoma
- Extreme agitation or nervousness
- A history of drug abuse
- If you take other diet pills.
What Is Topiramate?
Topiramate helps to treat epilepsy and migraine and is sold under the brand name Topamax. This drug has a property of reducing appetite, for which it is used off-label to reduce weight. The combination of Topiramate along with Phentermine is used to reduce weight. It is believed that this drug works on calcium and sodium channels, which helps to suppress seizures, and this action also leads to weight loss. Topiramate makes the thought of eating food less appealing, which results in a reduction of food intake.
There are certain conditions in an individual that make them unsuitable for Topiramate. They are:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Eye problems
- Osteoporosis
- Depression
What Is The Difference Between Phentermine and Topiramate?
Sometimes a question arises in the minds of people: Is Phentermine and Topiramate the same thing? Although sometimes there may be a misconception among people that Phentermine and Topiramate are two equal drugs, this is not true. Phentermine belongs to the class of anorectics, which are primarily used for weight loss, while Topiramate treats seizure and belongs to he class of anticonvulsants.
Doses Of Phentermine vs Topiramate
The Phentermine and Topiramate doses would vary from person to person based on their conditions. The initial doses are always less to help the body adjust to the effects.
Phentermine Doses
- In the case of adults and children above 16 years, the dose is 15-30 mg 2 hours after breakfast.
- Doctors do not recommend it for children below 16 years.
Topiramate Doses
- The initial dose of Topiramate is 25 mg to 50 mg a day, which is increased every week.
- For epilepsy, the initial dose is 100 mg to 200 mg taken twice a day.
- The initial dose for migraine is 50 mg to 100 mg taken twice.
Onset And Half-Life
The amount of time a drug takes to start showing its full effect is called the onset of the drug, and the time it takes to get reduced to half of its original dose is called the half-life.
Phentermine
- Onset: This drug takes 3 to 4 hours to show its effect.
- Half-life: It takes around 20 to 25 hours for the drug to be reduced to half its original amount.
Topiramate
- Onset: For epilepsy, it may take 2 to 8 weeks to start showing its effect, and for migraine, it may take 2 to 3 months to be fully effective and start healing.
- Half-life: The half-life of the drugs is 21 hours.
Phentermine vs Topiramate For Weight Loss
We have already discussed that both Phentermine as well as Topiramate are given to patients as a part of their treatment plan for weight loss. They reduce the appetite for taking food, which also stops unnecessary calories from getting into the body. So you must be wondering which is better, phentermine or topiramate? Doctors give individuals phentermine rather than topiramate in most cases. This is because it gives a boost to the body to start the procedure. But for someone suffering from weight gain along with seizures, Topiramate is more better option for the treatment. This drug is also an effective option for individuals who are not able to tolerate the side effects of the stimulant medications.
Drug Interactions of Phentermine vs Topiramate
Several drugs shouldn’t be taken along with Phentermine and Topiramate to prevent negative reactions in the body. This phenomenon of the body showing adverse effects due to the combination of two incompatible drugs is called drug interaction.
Phentermine Interactions
Topiramate Interactions
- Abilify
- Benadryl
- Cymbalta
- Flexeril
- Lexapro
- Lyrica
- Norco
- Prozac
- Seroquel
- Xanax
- Zoloft
- Zyrtec
Can You Take Phentermine And Topiramate Together?
Individuals weighing more than the average weight must manage their weight faster to avoid the side effects, such as heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver, cholesterol, and many others. For such people, taking phentermine and topiramate separately will be a very slow process. So, for a faster recovery, the doctor may prescribe the combination of Phentermine and Topiramate, also known as Qsymia, to help them get into shape faster. Your doctor will provide instructions for taking Qsymia. You must be careful not to overdose on this combination because these are Schedule IV substances, which possess a risk of getting people addicted and increasing dependency.
Side Effects Of Phentermine and Topiramate
Even if both drugs are effective for weight management, they still have certain side effects of their own. Individuals notice these effects, which can range from short-term to long-term.
Short-term effects of these drugs include:
- Chest discomfort
- decreased urine
- dry mouth
- Fast heartbeat
- loss of appetite
- mood changes
- muscle pain or cramps
- nausea or vomiting
In addition to all these short-term and common effects, there are other long-term side effects of phentermine and topiramate. People taking Phentermine may experience pulmonary hypertension, valvular heart disease, physical dependence, and psychosis. Similarly, people taking Topiramate are vulnerable to kidney stones, vision problems, osteoporosis, decreased growth in children, speech problems, and hair loss.
Alternatives To Phentermine and Topiramate
There are several alternative options available for individuals who have any issues with taking Phentermine and Topiramate. These options will be equally effective and help them with their conditions. Let’s look into those alternative options.
Alternatives To Phentermine
- Topiramate
- Qsymia
- Contrave
- Orlistat
- Wegovy
- Zepbound
Alternatives To Topiramate
- Lamotrigine
- Carbamazepine
- Valproate
- Gabapentin
- Levetiracetam
- Propranolol
- Botox
- Naltrexone
- Bupropion
- Orlistat
- Zonisamide
Conclusion
At the end, we can conclude that it is important to have a proper weight to be able to live a healthy life with less risk of getting any diseases. You must exercise daily and avoid junk food as much as you can. Try maintaining a healthy diet and include lots of green vegetables in your diet. Drink an adequate amount of water daily to keep yourself hydrated. Do not be in a rush to lose weight and overdose on the drug given by the doctor. Be patient and practice your routine regularly to get smooth and effective results.