Phentermine Tablets vs. Phentermine Capsules
Since phentermine is manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies, it comes in many different shapes and sizes, including both capsules and tablets.
You may wonder what the difference is between tablets and capsules and which is better regarding phentermine.
Here we run through why companies choose between the two and what the advantages and disadvantages of each are when it comes to your phentermine prescription.
Phentermine Tablets
The most commonly known form of phentermine is the white tablet with blue speckles, although there are also plain white tablets made by certain manufacturers, all of which can be seen here.
Adipex-P, the most popular phentermine brand, comes in the form of white tablets with blue speckles, and it is thought that manufacturers such as Actavis Pharmaceuticals and Qualitest Pharmaceuticals copied this widely recognized design for their phentermine tablets to maximize their selling potential, as people often incorrectly believe that the blue speckles are the active phentermine ingredient.
To be effective for their intended use, tablets must be designed according to the required release time, which can be either quick, delayed, or extended-release.
As phentermine must be released throughout the day to be effective, manufacturers design the phentermine tablets with the appropriate extended release dissolution control.
This is achieved by including inactive ingredients in the tablet, such as the coating, which controls how the active phentermine ingredient is absorbed by the body.
However, one disadvantage of tablets is that they can pass through the body without being completely absorbed, meaning that it is possible that some of the phentermine fails to enter your bloodstream.
Tablets are cheaper to make, and so patients often find that their prescription is cheaper to fill.
Tablets can also be notched for splitting, which is an advantage that patients taking phentermine tablets have mentioned in the Phentermine.com support group on Facebook.
If you find that your dosage is too strong and that the side effects are difficult to manage, as long as your doctor is in agreement, splitting your dosage by breaking your pill in half can be a good solution.
Some doctors may also advise patients to begin by taking half a tablet and then working up to a whole tablet. With tablets, there is also the option of taking half in the morning and then half before lunch, which can be particularly useful for people who experience an energy slump after lunch, as this is a key time of day when people are more susceptible to unhealthy cravings for sweet or fatty foods.
Another disadvantage of phentermine tablets is that they are only available in the maximum dosage of 37.5mg, so if your doctor feels that a lower dose is more suitable for you, then it is likely you will be prescribed capsules, as these are available in doses of 15mg, 30mg, and 37.5mg.
Phentermine Capsules
Phentermine capsules come in various colors and include the popular phentermine brand Adipex-P, the FDA-approved phentermine and topiramate combination Qsymia, and various dosages of generic phentermine.
Adipex-P capsules are available in the 37.5mg dosage, as shown here, while generic phentermine capsules are available in either 30mg or 15mg, as shown here.
Qsymia is available in four different dosages, ranging from 3.75mg of phentermine and 23mg of topiramate to 15mg of phentermine and 92mg of topiramate, all of which are shown here.
One major advantage of capsules is that they have a much better absorption rate than tablets as they begin to dissolve immediately in the stomach.
There is little to no chance that any of the contents will fail to be absorbed by the body. Capsules enter the bloodstream immediately, so phentermine in capsule form contains slow-release ingredients to ensure that the effects are released throughout the day.
Capsules have the added advantage of providing an immediate boost of energy in addition to the extended-release of effects, an advantage mentioned on the Phentermine.com support group on Facebook, as patients report feeling the initial boost of energy that is then sustained for longer throughout the day.
Furthermore, unique mixes and ingredients are more achievable with capsules, which is why Qsymia is produced in capsule form.
Qsymia provides prolonged appetite suppression and energy-boosting effects by combining topiramate with low doses of phentermine, which would be difficult to produce as a tablet.
One disadvantage of capsules is that they are more expensive to produce. Therefore, a prescription for phentermine capsules can sometimes be more costly for patients.
Although capsules cannot be split like tablets can, as they are available with lower dosages of phentermine, there is more chance for your doctor to prescribe an appropriate dosage rather than just 37.5mg, and therefore there is less need for patients to have to split their dosage.
As capsules are coated, they are often easier to swallow than tablets.
If you still find it difficult to swallow the capsule, you may want to take the contents of the capsule out and mix it with liquid, but this is not advisable.
Capsules are specially designed to be taken whole, including the case usually containing time-release technology in the coating.
By taking just the inner ingredients, you could cause the phentermine to become less effective, especially later in the day, or the medication could be released into your bloodstream too quickly, which might worsen side effects.
You should speak to your doctor if you continue to have difficulty swallowing your medication. He or she may recommend that you take Suprenza, a brand of phentermine that dissolves on the tongue.
With phentermine, the decision to prescribe capsules or tablets will depend on your doctor and which of the two they believe to be a better option for you.
The main advantages of tablets are that they are cheaper and can be split in two, both of which can be preferable to you as the patient.
However, capsules are absorbed better by the body and, in the case of phentermine, they are available in a wider variety of dosages and brands, including Qsymia, the phentermine and topiramate combination, due to capsules being better suited to more complex and unique ingredient mixes.
Have you taken phentermine in capsule form or tablet form? If you’ve taken both, which do you prefer? Let us know by commenting below.
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I was reading in the article above u could take the capsules and pour them in liquid or sprinkle them on food if swallowing Is difficult. But then in one of the comments you replyed to you stated not to pull the capsules apart. My capsules have the powder in them not the little pebbles. So can I spindle a little one something thing sprinkle the rest on something later.
Hi Amanda,
Sorry for the contradictory information – the article was edited by former colleague who was misinformed about mixing the contents of a capsule and taking it in this way. I have just changed the article to reflect our recommendations. We would advise that you ask your doctor to see if it is safe to break the capsule, and if not then he or she may change your prescription to Suprenza if you continue to have problems with swallowing.
Sally, phentermine.com
So I am taking the Adipex tablets and I just don’t know if I am suppose to swallow them with water in the morning or just put it in my mouth to dissolve. The thing is, I tried to dissolve it but it won’t work. Only the blue stuff is dissolving. So in the end I have to drink the rest with water. Am I doing this right?
Hi Kristina, generally it’s only the Suprenza that you take by letting it dissolve on your tongue. We would recommend that you speak to your doctor but it sounds like swallowing the Adipex could work better.
Sally, phentermine.com
I have taken both, I was on the capsule last summer on and off for three months, I NEVER knew till this past month they came in a tablet, when I got the tablet I thought, “well different manufacturers make them different,” By day three I knew something was wrong with these tablets, I really believed my new doctor with the weight loss program prescribed me a placebo!
This tablet did nothing for me, when my monthly check came up the other day I told her that I thought she gave me a placebo. She said “if you want the capsules I can do that.”
So after paying such a low price for the tablet vs the capsule I really believed that is was a placebo, So I did this goggle search,
Now I know why the tablet wasn’t as effective, I have absorption issues, Now I know the difference and happy to be back on the capsule, I have had no other side effects then hard time sleeping, so I take them very early in the morning,as I’m a early riser anyway.
Thanks for this info, I’m happy to know I didn’t spend my money on a placebo,
The doc could have explained this to me,
Hi Sally, I’ve seen 2 different spellings for the pills, Phentermine and Phentarmine. Can you explain the difference? Is one technically a knock off? I took prescribe Phentermine 2 years ago, I was on the tablets and lost 55lbs. Because of life stresses and day to day living I’ve gained 22 back. My Dr that prescribe them to me originally, no longer takes my insurance. I want to order here thru the website, but am I ready correctly that you need a prescription? Any recommendations Sally to someone who needs the extra kick to get there weight back under control? Thanks
Hey Dee, thanks for your message!
Phentermine is indeed a prescription-only medication. It used to be available online but the regulations have tighten due to people abusing it, so now you would have to consult your doctor to take phentermine again. PhenTARmine and other similarly-named products such as phenTREmine and phenTRAmine are all phentermine alternatives, and due to the ways they are spelled many people buy them thinking that they contain phentermine when in fact they do not.
I would first recommend that you join our Facebook group here and ask our users if they know of a prescribing doctor in your area that takes insurance, or one that may prescribe phentermine at a more affordable price. If you can’t find one, then we recommend a phentermine alternative called PhenQ which boost energy and suppress appetite like phentermine, but which are available online as they do not contain phentermine.
Hope that helps!
Sally, phentermine.com
Thanks Sally, I’ve read all the review and checked out other websites. Since I do not have a Primary Dr. that can give me a prescription and I can not afford to see a local Dr. that does monitor and will give you the pill but he charges $60 weekly and that is way out of my budget. So on that note I ordered the Phen Caps and I m hoping that it will jump start me to be able to control my cravings and over eating. I know everyone’s body is different and I know I have to do my part as well because this is not a miracle pill, but I do hope and pray that it will help me in my journey.
Hey Dee, sorry to hear how expensive that local doctor is. We’ve heard a lot of great reports about Phen Caps so we hope that they can help you achieve success on your weight loss journey too.
Best of luck!
Sally, phentermine.com
Hi I’ve started on the 30 me capsules and I have a problem digesting capsule can I open them and empty the little pellets in some water
Hi Stephanie, it’s not recommended to break up capsules as they are specially designed to be taken whole, including the case which usually contains time-release technology in the coating. By taking just the inner ingredients, you could cause the phentermine to become less effective, especially later in the day, or the medication could be released into your bloodstream too quickly which might worsen side effects. I would advise you to ask your doctor about tablets or Suprenza (this is a phentermine which dissolves on the tongue).
Sally, phentermine.com
Hi! I have been on phentermine 37.5 capsules for 5 weeks, one week off due to appointment scheduling, and have lost a total of 25lbs! I got another prescription today and he didn’t specify which one so they gave me the white with blue specs tablets. I called the pharmacist and was told it was really just a preference thing. I believe I’m going to call my doctor tomorrow and see if I couldn’t exchange them for the capsules because I had such a great reaction. I’m scared to attempt the new ones and have a different reaction then the first. In addition to the phen, I also exercise regularly, portion control, and cut out sweets and fast food!
Hi about two years ago my doctor prescribed phentermine tablets . So I started taking them along with doing P90x and had great weight loss results twenty five pounds to be exact. I stopped exercising and gained back the weight and now I’m on the phentermine capsules. I’m not seeing any results and I feel depressed on top of it. I had so much more energy with the tablets than the capsules so I’m going to see if he will switch me back to the tablet asap.
Hello, I have a huge question. I am currently taking 300mg of wellbutrin as well as the tablet 37.5 of adipex. At first this combo worked great, I stopped smoking and was not hungry at all. I lost a total of 17pnds in one month. Now I feel like they do not last quite as long in the day as they used to. I have a prescription for the capsules but they ended up being about $10 more. Do you think that this combo wld work better or do you think if I just take the adipex later in the day this might help? Thanks
Hi Adriana,
You could try taking the adipex tablet later in the day, as long as this doesn’t affect your sleeping, or you could try splitting your adipex tablet and see if taking half in the morning and half before lunch might help you make the effects last longer. If not then taking the capsules instead might work better for you as capsules are usually time-release – this way, the effects can be extended throughout the day without you having to take two half dosages.
Sally, phentermine.com
how can i get small pink phentermine
Hi Rachel, We’re not sure what brand of phentermine that is, do you know the name of it? As phentermine is a prescription-only medication, you would need a to see a doctor in order to get any type of phentermine, so your doctor should be able to give you more information.
Sally, phentermine.com
SALLY,
I started taking the capsules 37.5mgs, and they make me feel horrible. No one can answer me as to why I feel so bad taking them. They are supposed to give me energy, but do the complete opposite. Any idea why? I feel asleep an hour after I took my first pill, and I usually NEVER nap.I read that depending on where you get your script can really help. is that true? I am about 40-50 pounds overweight and I cant get the weight off. Not sure what to do. Will the tablets maybe be better then the capsules?
Hey Whitney,
It sounds like you are experiencing paradoxical side effects, as we explained a little in this article: Phentermine: losing weight but not feeling great – this is where, for example, people feel more fatigued when taking stimulants like phentermine, instead of more energized as they should feel. Paradoxical side effects are, however, something that can change over time depending on how your body metabolizes the medication on a given day, so the good news is that phentermine may not always make you feel this way.
One way to limit these symptoms is to take half your dosage at first rather than the whole thing and then work up, but this is not possible with capsules as they cannot be broken as tablets can. We would advise you to speak to your doctor to see about reducing your dosage or maybe switching to tablets if he or she thinks this could affect how your body reacts to the phentermine.
Hope this helps, and good luck on your weight loss journey!
Sally, phentermine.com
The capsules make me very sleepy throughout the day. My doctor said the tablets work better. So I’m bout to see what’s the difference.
I started with the capsules 30mg, and it was horrible. It suppressed my appetite a lot and I had energy in the beginning, but after a week my jaw hurt, I was irritable, and very defensive and aggressive and a b**ch to everyone. I hated the way I felt. Today is my first day on tablets with blue specks 37.5mg. So far no “crazy” thoughts and I feel amazing almost euphoric, with nothing but positive thoughts and no appetite. I hope this lasts!!
I was the exact same way when I started taking the capsules. Please update me with your journey on the tablets. I am curious if you notice any difference. I was very B***** on the capsules as well, also developed some anxiety habits that I hated.
I began with the capsules and they were amazing, i was so productive and lost 8lbs the first month. I’ve been on the tablet for a week and i’ve been so tiresome, and energetic at all! Do you think that my dr will switch my prescription even though i already started this one>?
Hi Carmen, it’s certainly worth asking your doctor to switch as you had such a good first month on the capsules so it would seem that your body definitely responded to them a lot better than to the tablets you’re currently taking. Hopefully he or she will recognize this and change your prescription for you.
Good luck!
Sally, phentermine.com
I have been taking the Phentermine 30mg capsule for a week now with no weight loss at all. Not sure if my menses the same week is to blame. Anyhow, I am holding out hope I will start to see results soon. In the meantime, I am suffering with a rapid heart rate, low energy, agitation, moodiness, low libido, poor concentration, dizziness, and a lack of motivation. Also, my heart rate goes through the roof when I workout and for a long period afterwards. That is if I can make it through a workout as it’s been more difficult since I started the meds. With all these symptoms it must seem crazy I am still taking them. Am I on too low or too high of a dose or should I just stop taking the meds all together?
Hi Cristi, While the first week is often the worst, and can include all these side effects and more, it may be that your dose is too high, and that you should have started off on a lower dose to get more used to it. Speak to your doctor and see what he or she thinks about halving your dose and building up to 30mg a day when you feel ready. With all these side effects and no weight loss, something’s not right so I think taking it a little slower at the start could really help you. Good luck!
Sally, phentermine.com
I have taken the tablet on and off. The first year I took them were 2010, I lost 50lbs. I recently started taking them again in Nov. 2014– when I picked up my refill this month they were in the capsules, which I have never taken before. Since I started taking the capsules (last week) I started feeling a “flutter” in my heart. It’s making me a little nervous but I talked with other people who have taken it and they say it’s due to the time release in the capsule, I haven’t taken one since Friday and periodically still get this feeling. Is this normal? As of now I prefer the tablet.
I’ve taken the capsule and tablet. I’m currently taking the tablet and do not like them. I feel they do not curve my appetite at all. Can I crush the tablet and take it to help with the absorption?
Hi Steph, it’s not recommended that you crush the tablet plus this would not help with the absorption as a tablet is just compounded ingredients with a coating for ease of swallowing. Instead, we would recommend that you ask your doctor about the possibility of changing back to capsules. The page Phentermine Stopped Working has great tips that will help you to maximize the phentermine effects and curb your appetite more. You might also like to add a phen cap to your daily routine as these capsules are recommended for boosting appetite suppression and enhancing the effects of phentermine with different ingredients – here is the link to find out more about this very efficient appetite suppressant.
Hope that helps!
Sally, phentermine.com
I chew my tablets before swallowing and that makes a HUGE difference. Can’t hurt to try.
I have taken both caps and tablets and the tablets are horrible for me. I started trying to lose weight after my pregnancy complications and high blood pressure. I lost 50 pounds while taking the capsules and have gained while taking the tablets. I’m asking to switch back the next month
I have taken both tablet and capsule. I lost 30 pounds with the capsule where as I’ve only lost 3 with the tablet. I do not care for the tablet at all. The capsules absorb almost completely into your blood stream, the tablets can pass through without barely being absorbed into your blood stream. I’ve had much better results with the capsules and feel much better while taking them versus the tablet.
Thanks for your feedback Brandy! It’s interesting to see how many people respond differently to different dosages, manufacturers and medication types, and especially to read what a difference it made to you taking the capsule as opposed to the pill.
Sally, phentermine.com
I liked the black ones I got back in 2009, then tried the blue & white speckled ones pill form. Those did not give me the same results as the black capsules did. It’s been so long since I’ve had the black ones I forget what exactly they’re called. Can you advise?
Hi there Vanessa, Thanks for the comment! I believe the pills you are referring to are the Lannett 0597 phentermine brand, so you can ask your doctor about those. If they are not available or your doctor does not think they are suitable, then you can try Phen Caps, they are the #1 alternative to phentermine. They help boost the effects of phentermine or can be taken on their own for fast and safe weight loss. You can find out more about Phen Caps by clicking here. I hope this helps, let me know if you need anything else! 🙂
Sally, Phentermine.com
It seems there is no doctor that has these anymore. Can you advise any near Ky,Wv,Oh called the Tri-state area? The 0597 does work better when I also took them in 2000. You may send email with results. Thanks
Hi Heaven,
Perhaps you could consider taking an over the counter alternative. We recommend PhenQ.
Hope that helps!
Sally, Phentermine.com
capsules my doctor prescribed me 37.5 blue and white capsules phentermine… are yours the same as in a Doctor prescription?
Hi Glenda, Thanks for the comment! We do not sell phentermine, we are an information website for people taking phentermine or phentermine alternatives for weight loss. Remember, you always need a prescription from a doctor for phentermine, which you can then get from your local pharmacy or legal online pharmacy. I hope this information help, let us know if you have any other questions! Have a great day!
I prefer the capsules over the tablets. The caps to me last longer than the tabs I’m not hungry taking neither pill, I fill a difference though with the caps.
I have taken the phentermine tablets off and on for 4 years. I have pcos and I take them to help manage my weight. I have not taken the phentermine for 3 months and I am slowly starting to gain back a little weight. I expect it, I don’t like taking this medication continuously. I take breaks from them a few times a year. I weighed 189 lbs 4 years ago and now i weigh 159. I am only 5’1 and 32 years old. Ideally, I would love to weigh 120 lbs, but I have lost all I can. I do not eat any starchy foods, fried foods, sweets, or sodas. I wonder why I can’t lose more? Should i try capsules? Or is there something else out there that may I am unaware of?