If you are overweight or obese and seek medical intervention, Qsymia diet pills may be one of the options available to you. The pills provide a combination of Phentermine and Topiramate that often works well but has the potential to cause addiction, along with a variety of side effects, some of which can be dangerous.

Due to the risks this combination drug can present many Qsymia prescription candidates shy away from using it. Then begins the, often long and arduous, search for safe and effective over-the-counter (OTC) alternatives.

Unfortunately, with so many options available, many of which are very poor, finding natural diet pills that work can be a costly and time-consuming process. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. We have reviewed and evaluated all the most popular options on the market and found the two diet pills that have the most to offer as Qsymia alternatives.

Top Natural Alternatives to Qsymia OTC – Quick Look

1. PhenQ – multi action appetite suppressant and fat burner
2. Zotrim – herbal hunger reducer

In addition to being excellent alternatives to Qsymia, the above two options are effective natural alternatives to all the other weight loss medications that are available via prescription including injectable options such as Mounjaro and Wegovy.

Although we chose these two OTC diet pills based on their science-backed formulas and the quality of customer reviews, we were also impressed to note the manufacturers of both products provide their customers with free shipping and lengthy money-back guarantees.

#1 – PhenQ – Best Qsymia Alternative OTC

CLICK to view PHENQ price and exclusive discount offers

For reasons that will soon become apparent, we consider PhenQ the best Qsymia alternative overall. It’s a powerful natural weight loss pill produced by a reputable manufacturer that provides a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Long before the creation of the Phentermine-Topiramate diet pill that’s marketed as Qsymia was created, Phentermine weight loss pills were a popular prescription treatment for chronic weight management.

Unfortunately, some of the potential side effects of Phentermine were severe enough to dampen many people’s enthusiasm.

PhenQ was formulated to provide a solution to this problem and has subsequently become many people’s preferred alternative to several other prescription weight loss drugs including Qsymia.

PhenQ Benefits and Method of Action

Two doses of PhenQ are required per day. You take the first tablet at breakfast and then follow up with a second one at lunch. The fast-acting natural formula helps you to lose weight more quickly than you could hope to with diet and exercise alone.

PhenQ is a lot more versatile than Phentermine and the Phentermine-Topiramate combination that is sometimes seen as a superior option. Both medications mainly function as an appetite suppressant.

Although weight loss pills that cause decreased appetite can make the weight loss process more bearable, many people prefer diet pills that offer a greater level of support.

PhenQ does this by suppressing appetite and delivering other key benefits as well:

• Help with cravings
• Faster metabolism and fat loss
• Boosted energy
• Reduced fat cell formation
• Improvements in mood

By controlling hunger, PhenQ removes one of the most formidable weight loss hurdles. When diets fail, more often than not, the root cause is an inability to keep hunger levels under control.

By boosting energy and enhancing mood, PhenQ further eases the weight loss process by helping its users avoid diet-related fatigue and become less susceptible to giving up their diets because they find weight loss such a depressing process.

Going a step further, PhenQ increases thermogenesis, causing the body to generate and lose an increased amount of energy as heat. This causes the basal metabolic rate (BMR) to become higher, helping PhenQ users burn more calories and fat than they could with diet and exercise alone, resulting in faster reductions in body weight.

PhenQ Ingredient Highlights

PhenQ provides a combination of nutrient-based ingredients and plant extracts that work in synergy to support vegan-friendly weight loss:

• a-Lacys Reset: A patented formula that combines the amino acid cysteine with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a powerful antioxidant. Exclusive to the PhenQ formula, this designer compound can deliver significant improvements in metabolism, fat loss, and overall body composition. [1]
• Caffeine: An energy-boosting stimulant that’s good for preventing fatigue. Research shows caffeine can further support weight loss by functioning as a thermogenic fat burner.  [2]
• Nopal: Taken from the Opuntia ficus-indica species of cactus, this ingredient is famous for its ability to suppress appetite.  Thanks to continued research, we now know nopal is also a metabolism enhancer that works by making positive changes within the gut. [3]
• Chromium Picolinate: This ingredient provides the mineral chromium, which improves insulin sensitivity, helping to modulate blood sugar levels. By doing this, it can help prevent blood sugar crashes that often trigger carb and sugar cravings. Research shows supplements that provide this compound can also reduce appetite. [4, 5]
• Capsimax Powder: A patented blend of capsicum extract. The capsaicin it provides promotes weight loss in multiple ways. It begins by controlling hunger and then goes on to stimulate increases in thermogenesis and fat loss. An in-depth scientific evaluation of its weight loss properties shows capsaicin also enhances lipolysis and then rounds things off by inhibiting adipogenesis, the process the body uses to create fat cells.  [6]
• L-Carnitine: An amino acid that serves a dual role in the PhenQ formula by directly supporting body fat reductions while also helping to prevent issues with diet-related depression. [7, 8]

 Where to Buy

You can only buy this popular prescription weight loss medication alternative from the official website. It’s sold by the bottle with each one providing a 30-day supply of pills.

Although many companies charge extra for shipping, the company responsible for PhenQ does not. Rapid free shipping is standard for all orders, large or small.

The order options are simple. You can make a single-bottle purchase or choose to get three bottles for the price of two or five bottles for the same cost as three.

#2 – Zotrim – Qsymia Substitute (herbal)

CLICK to view ZOTRIM pricing and exclusive special offers

A more basic option than PhenQ but no more so than Qsymia, Zotrim is an herbal diet pill that primarily works as an appetite suppressant and has outperformed prescription medications in clinical trials.

In addition to three key herbal ingredients, Zotrim also contains a modest dose of caffeine, along with some B vitamins. Due to their ability to enhance energy metabolism, B vitamins are combined with the caffeine in many of the most popular energy drinks.

Although this option is mainly favored by women, men can use it as well. It has no known side effects and is 100% vegan-friendly.

Zotrim Benefits and Method of Action

Zotrim suppresses appetite. Other than delivering modest improvements in energy, it doesn’t do anything more.

However, with hunger cravings being one of the main things that prevent dieters from successfully losing weight, this natural weight loss supplement still has a lot to offer and its ability to influence energy levels allows it to be a tad more versatile than Qsymia Phentermine-Topiramate diet pills.

Key Ingredients

The three most important ingredients in Zotrim are guarana, damiana, and yerba mate. The first is a tropical berry extract. The other two ingredients are sourced from leaves.

All three ingredients have value in their own right but when they are included in diet pill formulas they are generally combined with other ingredients that have more powerful weight-loss-enhancing capabilities.

However, this particular patented combination of the three herbs that cannot be used in other weight loss products, is unusually potent. Research shows it can reduce appetite and food cravings by slowing gastric emptying. [9]

Putting it in simple terms, the trio of herbs Zotrim provides causes food to remain in the stomach for longer before emptying into the gut. This results in a prolonged feeling of satiety after meals and, of course, a much longer reprieve from feelings of hunger.

Where to Buy

If you want to use Zotrim in place of Qsymia, the official website is the only place to go. Although this did not used to be the case, it’s not possible to buy it elsewhere. However, several package options are available, free shipping is standard, and the manufacturers provide a 100-day money-back guarantee.

What is Qsymia and How Does it Work?

Qsymia is a combination medication specifically designed to treat obesity. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012, it’s intended for use alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased levels of physical activity.

The efficacy of Qsymia lies in its combination of two active ingredients: Phentermine and Topiramate.

Phentermine is a sympathomimetic amine anorectic that functions as an appetite suppressant, helping reduce hunger pangs. It works by stimulating the release of brain chemicals that manipulate the mind’s appetite control center.

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant that’s often used to treat seizures and also has weight loss effects.

Although its exact mechanisms are unclear, the drug is thought to work by inducing a sense of fullness and influencing the taste sensation to further reduce the desire for food.

Acting together, the drug combination works synergistically to help its users reduce their daily calorie intake.

Who Can Use Qsymia For Weight Loss?

Qsymia is not a one-size-fits-all solution for weight loss. The FDA only permits doctors to prescribe it to adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher.

A BMI this high places them into the “obese” weight category.

Doctors may also prescribe Qsymia to patients whose BMI is 27 kg/m² or higher (overweight).

However, they can only do this for patients who also have at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), or dyslipidemia.

Before starting Qsymia, patients generally need to try other weight loss methods, including diet modification, increased physical activity, and other behavioral changes.

If these interventions do not result in sufficient weight loss, a healthcare provider may consider Qsymia as part of the treatment plan.

It’s important to note that Qsymia is unsuitable for many people. For example, it is not recommended for use in pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects.

Women of childbearing age should have a negative pregnancy test before starting Qsymia and should use effective birth control during the treatment.

Additionally, Qsymia may also be a poor choice for people with a personal or family history of glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, medullary thyroid carcinoma, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke.

Qsymia Side Effects and Risks

Although Qsymia has proven value as a prescription weight management treatment and works well for many people, its use may not be without undesirable complications.

Common Side Effects

These symptoms rank high among the many possible adverse reactions:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Altered taste sensation
• Abdominal pain

Serious Side Effects

More serious side effects, which require immediate medical attention, can include but are not limited to:

• Mood changes, such as depression or anxiety
• Cognitive impairment, including memory loss or difficulties with concentration and speech
• Kidney stones, often presenting a sharp pain in the back or lower abdomen
• Increased heart rate or palpitations

As we already pointed out, the medication also has the potential to cause fetal harm and, therefore, is not recommended for pregnant women.

Possibility of Addiction

Qsymia contains Phentermine, which has the potential to be habit-forming. It’s a sympathomimetic amine with pharmacologic activity that’s similar to that of amphetamines—substances that are known to possess a high potential for abuse and dependence.

Like other amphetamine drugs, Phentermine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. It can induce feelings of increased energy and euphoria, which are effects that are common to addictive substances.

Over time, the body may become accustomed to the effects of Phentermine, leading to a need for higher doses to achieve the same results. This tolerance can be a stepping stone to dependence.

Stopping using the drug can cause problems as well. Withdrawal symptoms are not unheard of and are especially common among people who abruptly stop using it.

Phentermine withdrawal symptoms may include fatigue, depression, and/or other physical and psychological discomforts, indicative of a substance dependence.

Due to these factors, Qsymia is classified as a controlled substance (Schedule IV) by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). As a result, its prescription and use are strictly regulated.

Healthcare providers need to assess the risk of abuse before issuing a prescription and should monitor for signs of addiction or abuse throughout the treatment period.

Comparing Natural Weight Loss Supplements to Qsymia

When considering weight loss options, it’s essential to compare the benefits and risks of prescription medications like Qsymia with natural weight loss supplements.

Here’s a detailed comparison:

Efficacy:

• Qsymia: Clinical trials have demonstrated significant weight loss in patients using Qsymia in conjunction with a low-calorie diet plan and regular physical activity.
• Natural Supplements: The efficacy of natural supplements can vary widely and often lacks the robust clinical trial data that prescription drugs are subject to. However, if you can avoid low-quality options, it’s possible to achieve significant improvements in weight loss while using natural diet pills.

Side Effects and Risks:

• Qsymia: Carries a risk of side effects ranging from mild to severe, including potential addiction, and is not suitable for certain populations like pregnant women.
• Natural Supplements: Generally have fewer and less severe side effects, which makes them a more attractive option for those wary of pharmaceuticals. However, it’s important to be selective and only choose high-quality options that provide ingredients with proven weight loss-enhancing capabilities.

Mechanism of Action:

• Qsymia: Works through a combination of appetite suppression and satiety enhancement, directly influencing the central nervous system.
• Natural Supplements: Often support weight loss via a variety of mechanisms. For instance, they often boost metabolism, enhance energy levels, and/or control appetite.

Regulation:

• Qsymia: As a prescription medication, Qsymia has FDA approval and undergoes rigorous testing for safety and efficacy.
• Natural Supplements: Supplements are less strictly regulated, and while many are safe, they can vary in quality and potency.

Long-term Use and Sustainability:

• Qsymia: Due to potential side effects and the risk of addiction, Qsymia is only suitable for short to medium-term use.
• Natural Supplements: You can typically use these for longer durations, which may be necessary for sustainable weight loss and maintenance.

Accessibility:

• Qsymia: Requires a prescription, which means a healthcare provider needs to issue the drug and monitor its use.
• Natural Supplements: These are widely available over-the-counter in pharmacies, health food stores, and online, offering greater accessibility.

There are pros and cons to each option, be it pharmaceutical or natural. In the end, it’s a case of each to their own. The most important thing is to have an adequate knowledge of the benefits and consequences before deciding which route to go down.

How to Get the Best Results from OTC Supplements

As with prescription weight loss medications, if you want to get the best from over-the-counter supplements, the first step is to choose a suitable product. Fortunately, this article can help you to do it.

The second step is to set realistic goals and make sure to make the appropriate lifestyle changes. Supplements are designed to support the benefits attainable from following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. You should never see them as an alternative.

Choose a diet that is low in sugars and dietary fats, is rich in nutrients, and has plenty of whole foods. Avoid processed foods. These generally contain many hidden sugars and fats, along with chemical ingredients that are unnatural for the body.

Hydration is equally important so drink plenty of water or alternative fluids. This will help support important metabolic processes and may help manage hunger levels.

Patience and commitment are the two best allies on any weight loss journey, but using the right supplements can provide a notable boost to your progress and help you enjoy above-average weight loss results.

Best Natural Alternatives to Qsymia Summary and Conclusion

Qsymia is a prescription-only anti-obesity treatment that can decrease appetite and support weight reduction when used alongside suitable efforts with diet and exercise. Its use also entails risks that have spawned the demand for safer natural alternatives.

This article provides information about the top two choices, with PhenQ standing out as the most powerful option of all. If you are keen to reach a healthy body weight, it can certainly help you to do it and, unlike Qsymia, PhenQ has no known side effects or health risks.

However, regardless of the route you take, it’s important to begin your weight loss journey with your eyes wide open and recognize the need for a suitable commitment to healthy lifestyle practices.

Sources of Reference

1. Principium Beauty Systems Innovations. a-LACYS RESET® Sports & Fitness, Principium-BSI, 2014. PDF of published 2014 trials
2. Normal Caffeine Consumption: Influence on Thermogenesis and Daily Energy Expenditure in Lean and Postobese Human Volunteers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2912010/
3. Physical and Dietary Intervention with Opuntia ficus-indica (Nopal) in Women with Obesity Improves Health Condition through Gut Microbiota Adjustment: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8912383/
4. Chromium Picolinate Supplementation Attenuates Body Weight Gain and Increases Insulin Sensitivity in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16873787/
5. Effects of Chromium Picolinate on Food Intake and Satiety: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18715218/
6. Dietary Capsaicin and Its Anti-obesity Potency: From Mechanism to Clinical Implications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426284/
7. Beneficial Effects of L-Carnitine Supplementation for Weight Management in Overweight and Obese Adults: An Updated Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043661819315117
8. Carnitine and Depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8964433/
9. Weight Loss and Delayed Gastric Emptying Following a South American Herbal Preparation in Overweight Patients: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11424516/