Qsiva

Qsiva is a medicine that combines two active ingredients, phentermine and topiramate, to help reduce appetite and promote weight loss when used with a low-calorie diet and exercise.

Form
säädellysti vapauttava kapseli, kova
Strength
15 mg / 92 mg
Active Ingredient
Phentermine hydrochloride
Manufacturer
VIVUS BV

How to Use

Dosage

Your doctor will start you on a low dose, typically 1 Qsiva 3.75 mg/23 mg capsule once a day for 14 days, then usually 1 Qsiva 7.5 mg/46 mg capsule once a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose if needed.

Method

Swallow capsules whole with a glass of water or other sugar-free drink in the morning. Do not crush or chew them. You can take them with or without food.

Important

The maximum daily dose is 1 Qsiva 15 mg/92 mg capsule once a day.

Possible Side Effects

COMMON
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Tingling, burning, or numbness (abnormal sensations)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Changes in taste
  • Sleep problems
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Tiredness
  • Memory problems
  • Reduced skin sensitivity
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Feeling of fast heartbeat
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Digestive problems
  • Hair loss
  • Thirst
  • Nervousness
RARE
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Low red blood cells (anemia)
  • Low potassium in blood
  • Low blood sugar
  • Swelling from too much fluid in tissues
  • Dehydration
  • Increased appetite
  • Decreased or increased sex drive
  • Mood changes, emotional problems
  • Agitation, restlessness
  • Confusion, mood swings, lack of interest
  • Sleep problems, including bad dreams or nightmares
  • Crying, stress, anger
  • Panic attack, paranoia
  • Partial or total memory loss
  • Drowsiness, sluggishness
  • Uncontrolled trembling
  • Thinking or speech problems
  • Changed taste
  • Migraine
  • Overactivity
  • Nerve problems (not in brain or spinal cord)
  • Fainting
  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Unusual coordination
  • Changed sense of smell
  • Eye pain, eyelid twitching
  • Unpleasant light sensitivity in eyes
  • Flashing lights in vision
  • Double vision, itchy eyes
  • Ringing in ears
  • Increased heart rate
  • Redness
  • Low or high blood pressure
  • Cough, nosebleed
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Sore throat and voice box
  • Blocked sinuses or nose, post-nasal drip
  • Gas, burping
  • Heartburn, vomiting
  • Itching, hives, rash, skin redness, dry skin
  • Increased sweating, acne, unusual body odor
  • Unusual hair texture
  • Arm and leg pain, muscle pain, back pain, joint pain
  • Muscle cramps, muscle weakness, muscle twitching
  • Kidney stones
  • Frequent urination (not increased volume), trouble starting urination
  • Frequent nighttime urination
  • Erection problems
  • Menstrual problems
  • Weakness, unusual sensations
  • Swelling of arms and/or legs due to fluid buildup
  • Increased energy, chest pain, cold or hot sensations
  • Decreased blood levels of bicarbonate or potassium
  • Abnormal liver function tests
  • Reduced creatinine clearance (a measure of kidney function)
  • Respiratory infection (e.g., flu, bronchitis, sinusitis)
  • Yeast infection (Candida)
  • Ear infection
  • Excess body acid due to metabolic disorder, gout
  • Suicidal thoughts, aggression
  • Inability to feel pleasure (including low motivation), grief
  • Teeth grinding, aversion to food
  • Hallucinations, confusion about time and place
  • Stammering
  • Pins and needles sensation
  • Increased tear production
  • Increased eye pressure, bleeding in the eye's conjunctiva
  • Deafness, earache
  • Heart rhythm disorder (very rapid activity in upper heart chambers), irregular heartbeat
  • Deep vein thrombosis (a type of blood clot)
  • Dry throat, runny nose
  • Bad breath, gum pain, tongue inflammation, burning sensation on tongue
  • Hemorrhoids, irregular bowel movements
  • Gallstones or related diseases
  • Gallbladder inflammation
  • Brittle nails
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Unusual urine smell
  • Walking problems
  • Falls
  • Increased creatinine in blood
  • Increased blood sugar levels
  • Viral stomach and intestinal inflammation
  • Hypersensitivity (general allergic reaction)
  • Excessive talkativeness
  • Suicide attempt
  • Seizures
  • Pain in one or more nerves
  • Temporary blindness
  • Dilated pupils
  • Lens clouding (cataract)
  • An eye disease where the center of the retina breaks down, potentially leading to central vision loss
  • Hearing loss, fluid buildup in the middle ear
  • Heart failure
  • Nasal polyps, acute lung failure
  • Difficulty swallowing, discomfort in mouth, gagging
  • Severe allergic reaction causing swelling of the face or throat
  • Acute kidney injury
  • Feeling of a foreign object
  • Lowered blood sugar levels
  • Increased blood levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, thyroid hormone, triglycerides
  • Eye inflammation (uveitis) with symptoms like eye redness, pain, light sensitivity, watery eyes, small spots in visual field, or blurred vision

Important Warnings

  • Do not take if you are allergic to phentermine, topiramate, or any other ingredient in Qsiva, or to similar medicines called sympathomimetic amines (used for asthma, nasal congestion, or eye problems).
  • Do not take if you are pregnant or can become pregnant and are not using highly effective birth control. Qsiva can harm an unborn baby.
  • Do not take if you have used certain depression or Parkinson's disease medicines (called MAO inhibitors) in the last 14 days.
  • Do not take other medicines that help you lose weight.
  • Tell your doctor immediately if you have any sudden changes in mood, behavior, or suicidal thoughts.
Show 9 more warnings
  • Inform your doctor if you have heart problems, as Qsiva can increase your heart rate or may not be suitable if you've had recent heart issues.
  • Drink plenty of water daily to help prevent kidney stones, which Qsiva can increase the risk of.
  • Stop taking Qsiva and contact your doctor immediately if you experience sudden blurry vision, eye pain, or other serious eye problems.
  • Tell your doctor if you have too much acid in your blood.
  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, liver problems, or an overactive thyroid, as Qsiva might not be suitable for you.
  • Avoid alcohol while taking Qsiva, as it may increase side effects.
  • Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Qsiva affects you, as it can cause dizziness or blurred vision.
  • If you have a sugar intolerance (saccharose), talk to your doctor before taking Qsiva.
  • Some Qsiva strengths contain tartrazine and sunset yellow, which may cause allergic reactions.