Vivus Announces 14-Day Free Trial Offer for Weight Management Drug Qsymia

In late November, Vivus launched its Get Started! Program, which gives potential users of its weight management medication Qsymia a chance to try the drug free for two weeks (as a reminder, Qsymia just launched in September). This is particularly encouraging news because an important concern about Qsymia and other obesity medications has been low reimbursement from insurers (and consequently, high out-of-pocket costs for patients). Specifically, Vivus is offering the 14-day free trial only for the lowest, starting dose of Qsymia, which currently costs about $120 per month (or about $60 for 14 days). The label for Qsymia recommends starting at a low dose and slowly increasing the dose over time, presumably to minimize side effects and to help patients tolerate the drug. The most common side effects of Qsymia include paresthesia (“pins and needles”), dry mouth, and constipation.

This $60 savings is available only through CVS’ and Walgreens’ certified home-delivery pharmacies – as a reminder, Qsymia is currently available through mail order pharmacies only, though this may change in the future. To qualify for this offer, you need to be a resident of the United States or its outlying territories and at least 18 years old. Your doctor must also fax two prescriptions for Qsymia to either CVS or Walgreens: one prescription for the 3.75 mg starting dose for 14 days (automatically free), and the other prescription for the subsequent 7.5 mg recommended dose for 30 days. Physicians in New York cannot fax prescriptions to these pharmacies; instead the prescription must be mailed to the pharmacy. The prescription must have been written or filled on November 16 or later to qualify for the Get Started! Program discount. For a complete guide to how the Get Started! Program works and who qualifies for the trial, visit http://www.qsymia.com/get-started-program.aspx. –AW