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 have been taking the tablet form for the last 3-plus months, in that time, I’ve lost 35 pounds and they work great. My new prescription came in the capsule form, so I can’t wait to see how they do. I will let you know. If they do better as many are saying, I’m excited, as I’ve been please with the process so far!
I have taken Phentermine in a tablet form 37.5 mg on and off over the course of 3 years. I found that they seemed to be really effective within the first couple of weeks of taking them and then it just seemed useless. I switched doctors and began taking the 37.5 mg capsule and HOLY COW, the difference. The capsule produced a burst of energy that was unlike the tablet. For the first few days, I almost felt like I has having an anxiety attack. This subsided after taking it for a few days. Overall when it comes to effectiveness and potency throughout a duration of the day, the capules are certainly much stronger than the tablets in my opinion.
I’ve taken both forms! Took the 37.5mg tablet for 12 months & lost 80lbs! Was 36yrs old & 236lbs at my heaviest wt ever! I was so very proud & happy in the 150s! Kept that weight off for almost 3yrs & steadily started gaining again 8 months ago. I gained 40lbs since last October. I was put back on phentermine 37.5mg capsule this time. I requested it since it worked so well the last time. I have only lost 2lbs after taking it a month now. I’m 40yrs old now, & that may play a part in me not doing as well, but the tablet worked better for me. Time will tell though. After a months use with the tablet I’d already lost 24lbs vs 2lbs with the capsule. This is a great wt loss medicine though, & I highly recommend it if you don’t have any heart problems.
I noticed actually the exact opposite from what this article compares. I started taking 15mg capsules , tolerance built quick, then went to 30mg capsules..tolerance again built quick (I’m talking a w week tolerance) then I was prescribed the 37.5 mg tablet and I felt results for months.. I felt an immediate energy boost which lasted all day for me sometimes to the effect of having restless nights … I lost just shy of 30 pounds in a 7 month period. fast forward being off it for 6 months I was put back on and had to start at the low dosages again… I was now just put on the 37.5mg capsules on accident because I specifically asked for the tablet (it is almost 10 cheaper too) I honestly feel no difference being on a 30mg capsule vs the 37.5 capsule. I have barely any energy and definitely notice I still have cravings and a little nauseous too. my tablet worked for me for 5 months and I lost most of my weight on that dose…. my preferred dose is definitely tablet.
Hi Em,
Thank you for sharing. You are more than welcome to join our official Facebook support group so you can connect with other phentermine users today: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1069871763087734
Best regards,
Sally, Phentermine.com
same here
I have taken both. Pill form at 37.5 and capsule form at 30. I realized that the capsule form even though less mg, seems to work longer and I can sleep but don’t require as much and still wake up with energy! I think after 4 years of taking it on and off, I prefer the capsules.
Hello
I am 63 female diabetic type 2 on insulin and VERY sensitive to all kinds of medication (wasn’t that way in my 20s when I took Preludin for weight loss after having a baby).
My body chemistry seems to have changed so much for the worse.
Question is…I’m reading about tablet vs capsule and how they are so very different on how they make you feel.
WHICH one is being more tolerable?
I also suffer from a constant full/pressure achy feeling in my head and so many drugs cause this to get worse causing me agitation, etc.
ALSO which pharmaceutical company is best for these drugs as I’ve learned over the years that additives (not acting ingredient) DO play a role on how you feel side effects, etc.
Thanx much I look forward to an email reply please as I probably won’t ever be able to find this website again. Found it by dumb luck 🙂
Phentermine capsules vs tablets – brand vs generic
I have taken phentermine in various forms on and off for over a decade (mainly to boost my metabolism and jump-start weight-loss and/or break the plateau after childbirth). I’ve taken capsules, tablets, brand (Adipex-P), generics, and varying dosages. Most recently I was prescribed generic tablets…30mg, and they did nothing. Like, not a single pound one direction or another. Zero energy. Did not suppress my appetite. Nothing. I had to search through my history at my pharmacy to figure out which one I was on when it worked, meaning when I lost weight, felt more energetic, less bloated, didn’t want to “eat my feelings.” I discovered that what worked best for me was the brand version 37.5mg Adipex-P capsules. They were phenomenal. Like I mentioned, helped in many ways AND even made my PMS symptoms a little more tolerable. How? I don’t know, but it’s true. Also, it really curbed my cravings for sweets. I LOVE chocolate, and when I was on this, I didn’t even think about sweets. Totally uninterested. Trust me. If you get prescribed phentermine for weight-loss, ask for this version. Cons — it can make you feel jittery, so avoid the caffeine if you don’t have a tolerance for it, and definitely take it as early in the morning (2hrs before eating) as possible, because it WILL keep you up at night if you take it too late in the day.
yes omg the capsule worked so much better for me as well and the tablet did nothing!
I took the tablet before and I experienced hot flashes jitters etc… started the capsules and I have experienced nothing… has anybody else experienced this?
Sherry I’m experiencing the exact same thing. I think I might go back to the tablet. At least I felt something and it curbed my appetite.
I have taken both cap&tab off and on for years with no bad side effects. I would go on for 3 months and off for 1 month over a period of 10 years. My doctor has sense retired so I’ve been off almost 1 year now. I have gained all my weight back that I worked so hard keeping off. I’m only 4″11 and my weight is now 175lbs. I have gained 70lbs so I’m right back to where I first started. My question is, at what age is the cut-off for taking phentermine?
Hi Anna,
It really depends on your medical history, current health status, and all other medications you might be taking. Please consult with your doctor about it.
Rebeca, Phentermine.com
Hello Anna,
That is an extremely long time to be on Phentermine. It is designed to help you lose weight while you are adjusting to a new and healthy diet that you are able to maintain after you discontinue the use of Phentermine. Phentermine helps you lose the weight, but the discipline and accountability comes from within yourself. You cannot go back to your old eating patterns and expect to not gain the weight back.