How much does phentermine cost without insurance?

Despite their recent surge in popularity, Wegovy and Zepbound are not the only weight loss medications on the market—or the most affordable ones out-of-pocket, either. Available since the 1950s, phentermine is a weight loss pill that can cost less than $10 without insurance. While the exact cost of phentermine can vary based on factors such as location, pharmacy, insurance coverage, and whether it's generic or brand name, the drug is considered one of the most budget-friendly options for those seeking a prescription weight loss aid. 

Keep reading to learn more about how much phentermine costs with and without insurance and how to lower the price of your prescription even further. 

Before digging into the financials, let’s cover the basics: Phentermine is an oral weight loss medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for short-term use in adults with obesity. Like other weight loss drugs, it should be used in tandem with a healthy (typically, reduced-calorie) diet and exercise. 

Phentermine works as a short-term appetite suppressant, meaning it can make you feel less hungry by affecting your brain’s appetite control. In clinical trials, most participants taking phentermine lost at least 5% of their starting body weight within three months, while only about 1 in 5 of those taking a placebo saw the same results. 

Phentermine is available as a generic medication or as brand-name drugs Lomaira or Adipex-P. While it can be taken on its own, it can also be found in a combined formulation with topiramate, an anti-seizure medication that can reduce appetite and help you feel full sooner. The latter option is brand-name Qsymia, which is FDA-approved for long-term weight management in people ages 12+ with obesity and adults with overweight and at least one weight-related health condition (e.g. type 2 diabetes). 

Keep in mind that medications containing phentermine are classified as controlled substances, meaning they carry potential risks for misuse and dependency. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about whether this medication is safe and suitable for you. 

The cost of phentermine can vary depending on several factors, including the form of the drug, whether it’s brand-name or generic, and insurance coverage (if any). Your preferred pharmacy and location, as well as any savings offers, can also affect the price of the drug.

All that’s to say, without insurance, a month’s supply of phentermine can cost anywhere from around $8 to more than $100. Qsymia comes in a bit higher than both brand-name and generic phentermine with an average retail price of $266.75 for 30 days of  7.5 mg/46 mg capsules, according to SingleCare. Even at the high end of that range, phentermine is significantly less expensive than other weight loss drugs, such as Zepbound, which has a list price of $1,059.87 per month. And then there’s Wegovy and Saxenda, both of which come in at $1349.02 per month sans insurance. 

Generic phentermine cost without insurance

Unlike with brand-name phentermine, there isn’t one set list price when it comes to the generic version. The cost of generic phentermine tends to be around $8-$25 for 30 days of 37.5 mg tablets, according to SingleCare. This price can vary depending on the pharmacy used, your location, any discounts or savings offers, and the form of phentermine (e.g. tablet, capsule). 

With that in mind, here are the prices for a 30-count of 37.5 mg tablets and capsules of generic phentermine at various pharmacies, per SingleCare.

*While prices were valid at the time of publication, they may vary based on date and location. For the most accurate estimates, refresh the SingleCare searches and enter your zip code.

Brand-name phentermine cost without insurance

Brand-name drugs usually require more wiggle room in your budget, but the out-of-pocket prices of Adipex-P and Lomaira are relatively close to that of generic phentermine. Without insurance, Adipex-P can set you back around $11–25 for a month’s supply of  37.5 mg tablets, and Lomaira can cost around $21–$41 or a 30-count of 8 mg tablets. Keep in mind, though, that Lomaira is only available in one dosage strength. So, weighing the cost of  37.5 mg generic phentermine against that of 8 mg Lomaira is a little like comparing apples to oranges. 

It’s also important to remember that the costs of brand-name phentermine can vary based on various factors. Here’s an idea of how much 30 days worth of 37.5 mg tablets of Adipex-P and of 8 mg tablets of Lomaira cost, according to SingleCare. 

When answering the question, “How much does phentermine cost without insurance?” you can’t exclude Qsymia, even if it’s technically a combination of phentermine and topiramate vs. just phentermine. According to the drug manufacturer Vivus, Qsymia costs $134 for a 30-day supply. This price isn’t necessarily set in stone, though. Like all other prescription medications, it can vary based on location, pharmacy, and discounts. 

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for a month of 3.75 mg/23 mg capsules of Qsymia at various pharmacies, per SingleCare. (FYI, the top number of the dose is the amount of phentermine while the bottom is the amount of topiramate in each capsule.) 

*While prices were valid at the time of publication, they may vary based on date and location. For the most accurate estimates, refresh the SingleCare searches and enter your zip code.

Most insurance plans will not cover phentermine. In fact, only a fifth of companies in the United States cover weight loss medications in their health insurance plans, according to a survey published in October 2024. (For context, KKF estimates that about 154 million Americans get health insurance through their employers.)   

But it’s not all bad news. Some insurance companies may cover phentermine and when they don’t, there may be savings programs available (but more on that later). To discover if your insurance company covers phentermine, refer to your plan’s drug formulary, which lists all drugs covered by your plan. If not covered, you and your doctor can submit an appeal. 

Is phentermine covered by Medicaid?

Medicaid coverage differs by state and is largely dependent upon meeting certain income requirements, which (as you probably guessed) vary from state to state. To find out if phentermine is covered by your state’s Medicaid policy, contact your state’s Medicaid agency. Heads up, though: Only a handful of state programs cover weight loss medications. 

Is phentermine covered by Medicare?

Medicare typically does not cover phentermine because it is classified as a weight loss medication. Medicare Part D drug plans and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PD) are legally prohibited from covering any drug prescribed specifically for weight loss. However, coverage policies can vary by plan. Plus, a bill in Congress may change this policy in the near future, and groups, such as the Obesity Action Coalition, are advocating for the bill’s passage. 

Is phentermine covered by TRICARE or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits?

Based on the above information, you may have already guessed that the answer is “no”—and if so, then you’re somewhat right. Phentermine is generally not covered by TRICARE or VA benefits because it’s primarily used for weight loss, which is often considered a non-essential medication by these plans. Similar to Medicare and Medicaid, both TRICARE and VA benefits typically exclude weight loss drugs. 

If covered, the exact cost of phentermine with insurance depends on many factors, such as how the drug is categorized in your plan’s formulary, how the insurance company structures prescription costs, your zip code, and the type of plan (private or public). 

Because phentermine’s price point is lower, some insurance companies classify the medication as a Tier 1 generic copay. This drug level has the lowest out-of-pocket costs, which can be as little as $0 or $1 per monthly prescription, depending on your insurance provider. 

Part of phentermine’s appeal is that it’s one of the least expensive weight loss medications. That said, there are still ways to lower the price of the pills. For starters, you can opt for the generic medication (as long as your healthcare provider gives the green light) instead of the brand-name options. While the difference in price may not be that dramatic, it can still lighten the fiscal load. 

Another way to save some green is through manufacturer offers. If you’re prescribed Lomaira, for example, you might be eligible for the savings card from the drug maker, KVK Tech. Available regardless of insurance coverage (or lack thereof), this offer can bring the price down to 50 cents (or less) per tablet. In order to qualify, however, you must be a resident of the United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, or Guam, have at least a one-month prescription, and meet other eligibility requirements. 

Other ways to save on the cost of phentermine with or without insurance include:

• Costco Membership Prescription Program: Costco members who are uninsured or underinsured can save up to 80% on various prescriptions at participating locations, including Costco and certain local pharmacies, as well as the company’s mail-order service. Exact savings depend on your zip code, medication, and pharmacy.

• Optum Perks: Free membership program that offers up to 80% off select medications at over 64,000 pharmacies in the US. In addition to a pharmacy discount card, Optum Perks also offers single-use coupons for specific drugs.

• WellRx: Free prescription discount program through which you can save up to 80% on drug prices, depending on your prescription, zip code, and pharmacy. Like Optum Perks, WellRx also offers coupons for specific medications and a general discount card for various drugs—both of which can be used at 65,000 pharmacies nationwide. 

• GoodRx:  Free service that offers coupons on many medications.

• SingleCare: Free service that offers coupons on many medications.

• Kroger Health: Kroger offers a savings card that applies to many prescription medications, including phentermine. With this card, you can get phentermine for as little as $7.16 a month.

Phentermine is a prescription drug, meaning you can’t just walk into a pharmacy and buy it over the counter. Instead, you need an Rx from a licensed healthcare provider. In order to get the script, however, you first need to schedule an appointment with your provider; during the consultation, they can assess if phentermine is the right option for you based on your medical history, current medication regimen, and many other health and wellness-related factors.

Remember: phentermine is prescribed for short-term use in adults with obesity. More specifically, it is approved for weight management for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more or those with a BMI of 27 or more who also have a weight-related health condition (e.g. type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure). 

If you fall into the above categories, your provider may deem phentermine as an appropriate treatment option and if so, write a prescription for the medication. From there, you can fill the script at your preferred pharmacy. No matter how you get phentermine, remember that the medication works best alongside a healthy diet and regular workout routine.

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Current version

November 05, 2024

Written by

Angela Myers

Fact checked by

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

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About the medical reviewer

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia Weiser, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist, health content writer, and medical reviewer with more than a decade of clinical experience in community and hospital pharmacy.