Phentermine Tablets vs. Phentermine Capsules

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

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.

Sally Cohen

Sally Cohen is a certified nutritionist passionate about promoting health at any size.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply to Kristin Warner Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

116 Comments

  1. Ive been taking 37.5 for awhile in tablet form. I have always taken it in half, because the whole was too much at once. My pharmacy changed suppliers and i was given capsules this month. Is it possible to take half and half with capsules?

    1. Hi Shannon,

      We don’t recommend breaking up the capsules. Perhaps you’ve built a stronger tolerance by now. Please speak to your doctor if taking the full pill causes negative side effects.

      Best regards,

      Rebeca, Phentermine.com

  2. I have been taking 30 mg for 4 weeks now I’m on 37.5 mg and finding myself getting very weak and dizzy when standing is this normal? Thanks

  3. I have been taking 15mg of the phentermine capsules for a month, I’ve been doing a little better with eating, cut out pop and drink water with crystal light, but I have not lost much weight! I started at 212lbs and after 3 weeks got down to 199lbs and then gained weight and now at 205lbs! I usually take it between 6a and 8a depending if it’s weekend or week day! I’m not feeling the effects of the medication any more! Am I not on the right dosage?

  4. I took the blue and white phentermine years ago and that and the gym at least 3 days a week I was down to a size 6. A few years and a bad relationship later I slowly started gaining it back. My doctor has prescribed me the capsule now and I’m practicing Keto, I’m down 9 lbs in a month. Should be more if I step up my work out. What I’m curious about is the lady that said she was taking phentermine and victoza. Victoza is normally prescribed to diabetics and I would never recommend touching that product. There is a law suit against them, my dad being one, that Victoza caused him to get pancreatic cancer and of course, pass away. Please search alternatives before going that route!

  5. Hello, I’ve been on the tablet since Sept. 2016. Have lost almost 40 pounds. My problem is that around I’ve my hair has started to seriously thin out. I’m wondering if switching to the capsule would be better. I’m wondering if there are fillers in the tablet that are causing the hair loss and are there any fillers in the capsules?

  6. Hi, I started taking the one termite 37.5 mg blue and white pill one in the am and one in afternoon. Prescribed from my doctor. But I’m reading that your not supposed to take more than 37.5 in one day!! And it’s been a while I’m doing this so I know I didn’t hear once a day! Is this ok!???

    1. Hi Donna. Typically, the maximum recommended dose is 37.5mg per day (one 37.5mg pill per day) in adults. We would recommend double-checking with your prescribing doctor and pharmacist, or even seeking a second opinion, if you were prescribed a significantly higher dose.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

  7. I have just started taking the phentermine 30 mg capsules and have had good success. I have dropped about 20 lbs in one month.
    I have noticed that after taking the 30 mg capsule around 12 noon that I start getting hungry around 6 PM.
    My doc has suggested that I take the 30 mg capsule in the morning and take an additional 15 mg capsule around 4 pm? I’m a little worried that I won’t be able to sleep? This medication has caused some sleeping issues. Other than that I have had no other side effects.
    Please let me know your thoughts!
    NotAdoc

    1. Hi Walt! The typical recommendation is to avoid exceeding 37.5mg per day, so the most common solution for late-night cravings is to simply split a 30mg or 37.5mg tablet into 2 and take one half in the morning and the other half in the early afternoon (at 1-2pm, usually). I would be especially cautious of taking the extra 15mg so late if you’re already having trouble sleeping. Still, we’re not medical professionals, so make sure to check with your doctor (or seek a second opinion) before adjusting your phentermine dosage or schedule. Best wishes!
      Rachel, phentermine.com

  8. I was on the white and blue speckled tablet for 2 months, when I went to refill my script, I received the white and blue capsule. Having a hard time getting used to them. It’s only been 4 days but they’re making me feel weird. A little dizzy, my throats burns a little and belching a lot. Will my body adjust to the capsules soon?

    1. Hi Jen! It’s not unusual for people to have some trouble adjusting to a change from tablet to capsule. So, your symptoms will most likely decrease soon. Still, we recommend speaking with your doctor (and possibly your pharmacist as well) about your negative reaction to the medication change. They may have more specific or immediate suggestions to ease the symptoms.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

  9. Was on phentermine for 10 months on and off..highest dosage and lowest dosage.My starting weight was 253lbs. I exercised daily, changed my eatting habits, and in 10 months, was down to 163lbs. Was in a car accident that well left me with only a cpl things to workout on in the gym..in 8 months I gained back 28lbs. I have quit smoking whick i know some is from that.. I am going back on the 30 mg capsules. What i am curios about is this… I usually try to take my phentermine 8-9am.. Is it possible to get the 15mg ones and take the first 15 mg 8-9am and the second 15mg between 2-3pm??

  10. I have been on Phentermine for 5 months now and have lost 36 pounds. I was taking capsules. Just recently picked up new prescription and they gave me tablets instead of capsules. Have been taking these for 5 days , and I can definitely tell the difference between the two. I even went back to pharmacy and asked pharmacist if there was a difference between the two. She told me No there wasn’t and I knew she was wrong. I told her they were time released and she said they weren’t. I really like capsules Better than tablets!!!!!!

  11. I was on 37.5 tablet only lost a total of 20 pounds since Dec 6 I ran out in April and just went back yesterday and she prescribed me the tablet I had been getting but also the yellow 30 mg capsule, I was suppose to take both at 6 am, I’m a little apprehensive of this so yesterday I took the tablet this morn the capsule, but I am curious is taking them both at the same time safe?

    1. Hi Kandi,
      I would recommend sharing your concerns with your doctor and double-checking that this was the dose and schedule that she intended.
      Rachel, phentermine.com

  12. Hi I’m Hadiyah. I just started taking the 15mg phentermine capsule with victoza. So far I lost 10lbs on victoza which I started in Oct 2016. It’s now Jan 2017. Have you heard of any great weight loss from these 2 together?

  13. Started on 15mg capsule, for 2 weeks went up to 30mg capsule for 2 weeks, side effects of 30s were too much, really bad, felt like a dried prune, seriously dry mouth, dry eyes, 3 hours sleep per night, couldn’t function due to exhaustion. Back to the 15s now -14lbs in 4 weeks

  14. 4 years ago I was taking phentermine tablets 37.5 and I lost 50 pounds in 8 months and now I went to a different doctor to lose weight and they prescribed me phentermine 15mg but the pharmacist gave me phentermine hcl 15 mg capsules. Can you explain the difference between those three?

    1. Hi Chis,
      Phentermine tablets and capsules contain the same active ingredient, which is phentermine HCL. The only real difference between capsules and tablets is that some capsules include ingredients to release the phentermine HCL into your body at a slower rate. For this reason, lower dosages of phentermine in capsule form can be as effective as higher dosages in pill form. Ideally, doctors should prescribe the lowest effective dosage, so if the 15mg works for you then this is a good sign as it means that if and when the phentermine starts to become less effective then you would be able to have a higher dosage, while the 37.5mg dosage is the highest so there is nowhere to go from there. Lower dosages are also less likely to cause side effects and withdrawal symptoms after the course of medication. The phentermine HCL you were given by the pharmacist is the same as phentermine in terms of active ingredients but it may have fewer or no inactive ingredients, such as fillers and colorants.
      Hope that clears it up for you!
      Sally, phentermine.com

  15. I was on the combo 15mg phentermine and 25 or topirimate- 3 mo later and im only down 7 lbs – so being discouraged i called my dr about a possible increase and she doesnt think its a good idea, i ve done some research and found that the max dose for the phen 15mg is 2x a day but i was only doing 1 in the am and it would curb my appetite just slightly during lunch , but come dinner i over eat as usual, is the dosing ok to do 2 at a time at lunch or 1 in am and 1 in pm ? thanks so much for the feedback

    1. Hi Christie,
      It is generally fine to take 30mg of phentermine per day, which in your case would usually be prescribed as one 15mg in the morning and one around half an hour before lunch. However, since your doctor doesn’t think it’s a good idea, there could be something about your medical history or health which makes taking any more than you are now a bad idea or possibly dangerous. We would strongly discourage you from self-medicating against your doctor’s advice. Instead you could see if taking the 15mg you have later in the day would help you more, since dinnertime seems to be more of a problem for you.
      Sally, phentermine.com

  16. I started Phentermine 37mg white and blue speckled tablets. I weighed 226lbs when I started, I was on them for a few years on and off, and lost a total of 60lbs. Maintained my weight for the most part. I am now taking 15mg capsules to try and get my weight back down after having my son four months ago. I’m waiting to see the difference that everyone’s talking about.

  17. HI, I HAVE A QUESTION . I’M GOING TO SEE MY DOCTOR NEXT WEEK ABOUT PHENTERMINE AND I CAN TAKE TIME RELEASE MED BUT MY STOMACH DIGESTS THINGS FAST. WHAT TYPE OF PILL DO I NEED TO REQUEST?

    1. Hi Kim,
      You don’t need to worry about requesting a pill, your doctor is trained to prescribe you the phentermine most suited to you, so just explain all of this to your doctor and you’ll be given whatever he or she thinks is best.
      Sally, phentermine.com

  18. Do the regular pills have time release? I have a hard time swallowing pills so I have been crushing them for a few days

    1. Hi Stephanie,
      The pills don’t have the same kind of time-release technology that the capsules have but they are still designed to last throughout the day. If crushing them works better for you and you can still feel the effects later in the day then this is fine.
      Sally, phentermine.

  19. Hi, I am currently prescribed the 40mg capsules and finding them a little strong for some days so I bought some empty gelatin capsules and put half the contents of a pill in that making a 20mg pill. I was wondering if you could tell me what the capsule coating is made of and if gelatin is a sufficient substitute coating for time release or will this effect the absorption? Thank you!

    1. Hi Violet,
      It depends on which capsules you’re taking as different manufacturers may coat their capsules with a substance to help with time-release. It would probably be best to ask your doctor for more information on those capsules specifically, or maybe they could tell you more at the pharmacy where you got them.
      Sally, phentermine.com