Comprehensive medication guide to Lomaira including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$5–$50 copay for most non-ACA commercial plans that cover phentermine; Tier 2–3 on most formularies; prior authorization or step therapy (generic phentermine first) often required. Medicare Part D plans almost universally exclude weight-loss medications including Lomaira.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$70 average retail for 30 tablets; as low as $17 with GoodRx or $26 with SingleCare at participating pharmacies. The Lomaira Lo-Cost Access Program (by KVK Tech) caps cost at $0.50/tablet — $15 for 30 tablets and $45 for 90 tablets for the duration of treatment.
Medfinder Findability Score
45/100
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Lomaira (phentermine hydrochloride USP 8 mg, CIV) is a brand-name prescription weight-loss tablet manufactured by KVK Tech, Inc. FDA-approved on September 13, 2016, it is classified as a sympathomimetic amine anorectic — a stimulant-class appetite suppressant with over 65 years of real-world experience in weight management.
Lomaira is unique among phentermine products: it contains the lowest FDA-approved dose (8 mg) and is designed to be taken up to three times daily, 30 minutes before each meal. This short-acting formulation provides targeted appetite suppression at each meal, making it particularly useful for patients who struggle most with hunger at specific meal times.
Lomaira is indicated as a short-term adjunct to a weight reduction regimen — including exercise, behavioral modification, and caloric restriction — for adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. There is no generic equivalent at the 8 mg dose; Lomaira must be dispensed as the brand.
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Lomaira works by stimulating the central nervous system through sympathomimetic mechanisms — primarily triggering the release of norepinephrine in the hypothalamus, the brain region that regulates hunger, satiety, and energy expenditure. Elevated norepinephrine suppresses hunger signals, reducing appetite and caloric intake.
Phentermine also releases dopamine and serotonin to a lesser degree, which may contribute to reduced cravings and improved satiety. Peripheral sympathetic activation increases heart rate, blood pressure, and potentially metabolic rate — which is why Lomaira can cause cardiovascular side effects and requires ongoing blood pressure monitoring.
Each 8 mg Lomaira tablet provides approximately 4 hours of appetite suppression — significantly shorter than the all-day coverage of once-daily phentermine products. This allows patients to take the medication specifically before their highest-risk meals, and to skip late-evening doses to minimize insomnia.
8 mg — tablet
Standard Lomaira dose. Taken 1 tablet three times daily, 30 minutes before meals. Tablet is scored — can be split for 4 mg half-dose.
Lomaira is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026, but many patients still report difficulty filling their prescription at local pharmacies. The core challenge: Lomaira is a brand-only Schedule IV controlled substance with no generic equivalent at 8 mg. Pharmacies must specifically stock this brand, comply with DEA controlled substance ordering requirements, and many simply don't carry it if local demand is low.
Additional pressure comes from the rising demand for weight-loss medications broadly. More patients seeking phentermine-based treatment means pharmacies run through controlled substance stock faster. The result: a medication that's technically available nationally but intermittently out of stock at specific pharmacies.
If you're having trouble locating Lomaira, medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones have your prescription ready to fill. Provide your medication, dosage, and zip code — results are texted to you.
Lomaira is a Schedule IV controlled substance under the DEA Controlled Substances Act. Any licensed healthcare provider with valid DEA prescribing authority can prescribe it, provided they hold a current license in the patient's state and have conducted an appropriate clinical evaluation.
Provider types commonly prescribing Lomaira include:
Telehealth prescribing of Lomaira is available in many states. DEA and state regulations on telehealth controlled substance prescribing vary by jurisdiction — some states require an initial in-person visit before a Schedule IV drug can be prescribed via telemedicine. Patients interested in telehealth Lomaira prescriptions should look for platforms that explicitly offer weight-loss medication management and controlled substance prescribing in their state.
Yes. Lomaira (phentermine hydrochloride) is a Schedule IV controlled substance (CIV) under the DEA Controlled Substances Act. This classification reflects that phentermine has a recognized — though relatively low — potential for abuse, psychological or physical dependence.
Schedule IV status has important practical implications for patients: Lomaira requires a valid prescription from a licensed prescriber with DEA authority; most states limit prescriptions to 30-day supplies with restricted or no refills; the prescription cannot be transferred to another pharmacy once sent in most states; and pharmacies must comply with strict DEA ordering, storage, and record-keeping requirements for all Schedule IV inventory.
Patients should never share Lomaira with others, take more than prescribed, or use it beyond the duration their provider intends. If you feel Lomaira is no longer effective, talk to your prescriber rather than increasing your dose — tolerance to the appetite-suppressing effect develops over time and cannot be overcome by higher doses.
Common side effects reported with Lomaira include:
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Generic Phentermine (15–37.5 mg)
Same active ingredient, higher dose, taken once daily. Widely available and very low cost ($4–$10 with discount coupon). Best short-term bridge if Lomaira is unavailable.
Qsymia (Phentermine/Topiramate ER)
Combination pill with phentermine and extended-release topiramate. FDA-approved for long-term chronic weight management. More effective than phentermine alone; also Schedule IV with REMS program.
Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion)
Non-stimulant, non-controlled oral weight-loss medication approved for chronic weight management. Good option for patients who cannot take stimulants. Black box warning for suicidality.
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
GLP-1 receptor agonist injection approved for chronic weight management. Produces significantly greater weight loss than phentermine. Weekly injection. Not a controlled substance but expensive and historically limited availability.
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MAO Inhibitors (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, linezolid)
majorContraindicated. Taking with or within 14 days of an MAOI can cause life-threatening hypertensive crisis. Never combine.
SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram)
majorRisk of serotonin syndrome. Concurrent use not recommended per prescribing information.
Alcohol
majorMay result in adverse drug reactions including dizziness, cardiovascular effects. Avoid concurrent use.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin)
moderateMay unpredictably increase or decrease phentermine's effects. Avoid or use with caution.
Insulin and Oral Hypoglycemics
moderatePhentermine may alter blood glucose levels. Diabetes medication doses may need adjustment.
Ergot Derivatives (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine)
majorAdditive vasospasm; risk of severe hypertension. Contraindicated.
Volatile Anesthetic Agents (isoflurane, desflurane)
majorRisk of ventricular tachycardia and hypertension during surgery. Stop phentermine at least 7 days before elective surgery.
Lomaira occupies a unique niche in the weight-loss medication landscape. It's the only FDA-approved phentermine product at the 8 mg dose, designed for flexible meal-timed appetite control rather than all-day coverage. For patients who are sensitive to stimulants, who need to target specific meal times, or who have struggled with side effects from higher-dose phentermine, Lomaira's lower dose and shorter duration can be a meaningful clinical advantage.
Its main practical challenges are availability and access. As a brand-only controlled substance, Lomaira isn't stocked at every pharmacy. But with the Lomaira Lo-Cost Access Program capping cost at $0.50/tablet and tools to help locate stock, the barriers are manageable for most patients who are clinically appropriate candidates.
If you need help finding Lomaira in stock near you, medfinder contacts pharmacies near your location and texts you the results — no endless hold times required.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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