Qsymia and Depression: What Users Say

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "At the end of April 2018, I started to take Qsymia. Within two months, by the end of June 2018, I have lost more than 20 pounds. This is the best medication to lose weight, I can recommend. It works really well for me. The only side effect was feeling a little bit depressed at the end of June. I went from 170 to 145 pounds, and I was able to use my two-piece bathing suit on my Florida vacation :)"

• PCe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2012

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've only taken Qsymia a couple of days, but already I've lost several pounds and my desire for food, alcohol, and sugar. Today is day three and I do feel a little depressed today, but I want to take it a while longer to see if the depression will lift. I'll add more info as time progresses."

• Amy...
• August 16, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on the medicine for 3 weeks and lost 8 pounds. I would love to continue. However, possible side effects of this medication are depression, mental confusion, suicidal thoughts, etc. I have struggled in the past with depression. This medicine has ignited a fire in my brain. I am at the point where I seriously think I'm going crazy. I urge you to disclose fully to your doctor if you suffer from chronic depression and urge you to reconsider taking this medicine. I begged my husband to commit me yesterday, that was my mental state. I'm seeing my doctor Monday to figure out a different course of action now."

• Jes...
• August 8, 2013

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I began taking Qsymia in January of this year and have lost 82 pounds. The first 2 months were plagued by very intense side effects; almost every single one that the medication lists. I experienced irrational mood swings, irritability, anger, depression, tingling/numbness in my hands and feet, issues with vision (very mild), back pain (which improved with an increase of water intake), intense insomnia (which my endocrinologist ended up putting me on Ambien to aid with), cotton mouth/change of taste, and constipation (in the later months of taking it). The cost of Qsymia is a negative, and so are the multiple side effects, but after leveling off after a month or so of experiencing them and following a low-carb diet, it has been worth it!"

• Mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took this medication for 4 1/2 weeks. Two weeks on the 3.75 dose and 2 1/2 weeks on the 7.5 dose. No weight loss at all. I was hungry all the time (even more than I was prior to taking this medication) and had no energy. Dry mouth, jitters, tingling in hands and face, bad taste in my mouth, but after 2 weeks on the 7.5 dose, the depression hit big time with really dark thoughts, crying jags, and I could tell I wasn't myself. This, compounded with absolutely no weight loss, made me decide right then and there not to continue for the recommended 12 weeks. I started tapering this dose and will finish out my initial prescription and be done with it. Not worth my sanity at all. Please be careful if you take this and watch your mental state. If I had lost weight, I might have overlooked the side effects, but it absolutely did not work at all!!!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I gave Qsymia multiple chances as it seemed to work on the outset. In January 2017, I started on the trial, gradually moved up to the maximum dosage. I then had to stop due to the expense. I lost 20 lbs in 8 weeks. I gained the lost weight back. In April 2019, I started again on the drug, this time at full strength. I lost about 30 lbs in 8 weeks. However, being on antidepressants (citalopram/Celexa) for depression, I believe Qsymia caused me to have suicidal thoughts and actions. I discontinued the medicine in July 2019 because of these suicidal thoughts. I was prescribed a new antidepressant (fluoxetine/Prozac) which boosted my mood considerably for a few months afterward. I gained all the weight lost back. In April 2020, I tried Qsymia one last time as my weight was back up. Still on fluoxetine, within 3 weeks, my depression worsened and the suicidal thoughts came back. After stopping the medicine for two days, the thoughts seemed to dissipate."

• cam...
• September 16, 2013

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was totally excited about this medicine. I had about 50 pounds to lose. I took 6 days of the beginning lower dosage and began my journey into depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. After consulting with my diabetic specialist, we both determined the side effects were not worth it. I am happy for those who have had a positive experience, but with the side effects I experienced, it was not worth it for me."

• Qsy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm coming to the end of one year on this medication. It has worked very well for me, causing almost a 50-pound weight loss. I went from the initial low 3+ mg dose to a 11.25 mg. Some things I noticed while taking this medication: *High irritability/moodiness/depression for the first 2-3 days after increasing doses (I'm also on Citalopram). *I've lost this weight without having to change my diet or add exercise. It has simply decreased my appetite. *Now that I'm stepping down the dosage, I'm experiencing high levels of hunger and am gaining roughly five pounds per week (consistent for the past 2-3 weeks)."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Mixed. Too early to tell. I've been on Qsymia for about six weeks now. For the first two weeks, I was on the starter dose. Then, I titrated up to the 7.5 mg dose and have been on this dose for about a month now. Starting weight 226, down to 214, up to 218 this week which is disappointing. I've been exercising more and eating a low carb, whole foods diet. I've experienced constipation and depression since starting this drug. I'm managing the constipation with more fiber and water, and the depression with CBT but it's been difficult. I'm going to give it a few more weeks and see what happens. May try something else if still no positive results."

• tmk...
• July 23, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "A word of caution to anyone with a history of depression or anxiety. I experienced some really scary side effects in the three weeks I tried Qsymia, including suicidal thoughts. I have a history of mild anxiety and depression, and I experienced very severe symptoms while on the drug, including panic attacks, restlessness, trouble sleeping, and extreme sadness. I'm tapering off the med now. I have a BMI of 35 and a history of PCOS, which is why my doctor prescribed it, but she should not have given me this with my history of depression without a more serious warning of the potentially scary side effects. Good luck to all of you who are trying and who it's working for."

• Mim...
• December 7, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was on Qsymia to help me drop the last 30 pounds of weight I was trying to lose but was having trouble. It did control my hunger pangs, but overall in the one month I took the medicine, I only lost 8 pounds. I continued my exercising and watching my calorie intake, but for weight loss, it did not help me. I actually had major depression and mood swings. I was angry and short-tempered. I have been off the medicine now for 5 days, and I am beginning to feel like myself again. I personally would not recommend this medicine. Increase your exercise and lower your calorie intake. That worked for me when I lost my first 50 pounds, which I have not gained back in over 2 years. I just wish I could take off 30 more."

• Wei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I tried this med, and I can't say I had a good experience. I guess it did suppress appetite, but it also made me feel really down and tired. I wasn't even able to work out when I was on this med. I took it for 3 days and could not tolerate it any longer. My doctor switched me to Belviq, and I love it, it's wonderful."

• rAn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I lost 100 lbs in 8 months on my own by working out and eating healthier. I kept it off for 3 years, and due to stressors and two night shift jobs, I found myself gaining 47 lbs in 6 months. Very scary for me, which brought on my depression and severe knee pain! So my doc monitored my activity for 6 months, and I lost 0 lbs, and she decided to give this medication a try. 4 days into it, with a balanced diet and 4 days of an hour of exercise, I have lost 7 lbs."

• ann...
• September 9, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm always leery about primary care providers pushing weight loss meds like Belviq and Qsymia and insulin pens that make you lose weight. After all, what incentives are they getting from the company? The upside to this medicine is the trial basis took care of my cervical neck pain, but the combination of the meds was a disaster. I felt moody, irritable, anxious, depressed, hopeless, tingly all over, headaches, nauseated, thirsty, never hungry thanks to nausea, sleeplessness, wired!!! and tired!!! Odd sensations, cold and heat intolerance, panic, blurred vision. No thanks, I would rather be fat and happy! I was eating healthy and drinking only water but was unable to lose the weight. This is a horrible medicine!!"

• ann...
• September 9, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm always leery about primary care providers pushing weight loss meds like Belviq and Qsymia and insulin pens that make you lose weight. After all, what incentives are they getting from the company? The upside to this medicine is the trial basis took care of my cervical neck pain, but the combination of the meds was a disaster. I felt moody, irritable, anxious, depressed, hopeless, tingly all over, headaches, nauseated, thirsty, never hungry thanks to nausea, sleeplessness, wired!!! and tired!!! Odd sensations, cold and heat intolerance, panic, blurred vision. No thanks, I would rather be fat and happy! I was eating healthy and drinking only water but was unable to lose the weight. This is a horrible medicine!!"

• Moo...
• March 21, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Here's the deal. Yes - I lost weight. At first, it was great! I exercise on top of it, so I noticed pretty quickly. At the same time, I was eating ... just making better choices and not so ravenous. The side effects started right away and were mild in the beginning - but then - 6 months into it - they were terrible ... I just recently stopped because I couldn't take it. My insomnia was the worst ... I would wake up @ 3:00 and not be able to fall asleep again, and the depression!!! OMG ... I didn't realize I was kind of getting more and more deep. But I was also convinced that the medicine had to be taken - I HAD to keep losing weight!! Dry mouth, heart palpitations (with chest pain) - would like this last year back!! It's not worth it!"

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I found the weight loss experience to be excellent. However, this Rx is so dangerous that after 3 weeks, I ended up with a first-time-ever serious gout episode with permanent tophi on my fingers and also kidney stones. Finally, after stopping, I continued some weight loss, but also became seriously depressed and fatigued... This is not a good idea unless you are already at risk for death from your obesity."

• oli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I immediately noticed I wasn't eating the amount I was, but then the fatigue, jumpy feeling, and, omg, depression began. I stopped taking it after either biting off someone's head one second and the next a puddle of tears. If you don't experience these side effects, then go for it, but I was not sacrificing my sanity for my weight loss."

• Tam...
• July 25, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I do not recommend this drug due to the side effects. I experienced depression, mood swings, anger, and aggressive behaviors while on this drug. It is unfortunate that I have spent $120 out of pocket and have been unable to receive a refund for such a bad product. Please consider a different weight loss medication. I am highly disappointed in Qsymia."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Qsymia less than a week ago, 7.5 mg, and my appetite has not decreased at all, and I’m having mood swings and am depressed. Adipex worked better. I think I have gained weight but don’t want to get on the scale. I do spin class most every day. This cost me $200 out of pocket! Save your money."

• She...
• December 13, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took Qsymia for 3 months and lost 18 lbs. However, my Dr. switched me to Belviq because I was having blurred vision/trails, some breathing issues, lack of motivation. When I first started taking it, I had suicidal thoughts but took an antidepressant that fixed it. I have not started Belviq yet as I wanted to first clear my system of Qsymia and its side effects, however, after over a month, I'm still encountering its side effects to some degree. I believe my eyesight was permanently damaged from it."

• Syx...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking Qsymia for about a year now and have mixed feelings about it. It definitely worked for me as I was able to lose 100 pounds so far, but the side effects are pretty bad. As others have mentioned, I experienced tingling hands and feet, insomnia, was VERY lightheaded, and it definitely made my depression worse. If you have depression and/or suicidal thoughts, I think this is a dangerous medication to take because, from my experience, it will make those thoughts 10X worse. Also, I experienced a lot of head rushes and dizziness when standing and chest pain. I looked past the side effects of the medication because of the results I was seeing and it is continuing to work."