What is CONTRAVE®

CONTRAVE® is a prescription weight loss medication which can help some adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off. This medication is typically prescribed by a medical weight-loss specialist and then closely monitored via regular check ins and updates.

What do I need to know about CONTRAVE®

If you are considering using or learning more about CONTRAVE®, it is important to understand several important things:

  • CONTRAVE® should always be used with a reduced calorie diet and an increased amount of physical activity.
  • It is not known if CONTRAVE® changes your risk of heart problems or stroke or of death due to heart problems or stroke.
  • CONTRAVE® is not approved to treat depression or other mental illnesses, or to help people quit smoking.

What Are the Benefits of CONTRAVE®?

The use of CONTRAVE® in a combination with both a healthy diet and increased physical exercise has been shown to help patients in monitored studies to lose weight. In one study of note, the participants who took a dosage of CONTRAVE® alongside reducing their caloric intake, increasing their physical activity and participating in lifestyle counseling were shown to have lost an average of 5.4% of their excess body weight and 42% of those participants lost greater than 5% of their excess body weight. Of course results may vary, but these are very encouraging results.

CONTRAVE® (naltrexone HCI/bupropion HCl) is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help adults with obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2), or who are overweight (BMI greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2) with at least one weight-related medical condition, lose weight and keep the weight off. CONTRAVE should be used along with diet and exercise.

CONTRAVE contains 2 well-known FDA-approved drugs, naltrexone and bupropion, which have each been on the market for the treatment of other conditions for over 30 years. However, the individual medicines in CONTRAVE are not approved for weight loss when used on their own, and CONTRAVE is not indicated for the treatment of depression, smoking cessation, or alcohol or opioid dependence.

CONTRAVE is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) who have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It is to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

CONTRAVE is not for everyone. Do not take CONTRAVE if you:

  • have uncontrolled hypertension
  • have or have had seizures.
  • use other medicines that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN, WELLBUTRIN SR, WELLBUTRIN XL, APLENZIN and ZYBAN
  • have or have had an eating disorder called anorexia (eating very little) or bulimia (eating too much and vomiting to avoid gaining weight)
  • are dependent on opioid pain medicines or use medicines to help stop taking opioids, or are in opiate withdrawal
  • drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, or use medicines called sedatives (these make you sleepy), benzodiazepines, or anti-seizure medicines and you stop using them all of a sudden
  • are taking medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including linezolid. Do not start CONTRAVE until you have stopped taking your MAOI for at least 14 days
  • are allergic to naltrexone or bupropion or any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in CONTRAVE

The most common side effects reported with CONTRAVE include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping (insomnia), dry mouth, and diarrhea.

In general, it is recommended you drink plenty of water when taking CONTRAVE. If you experience nausea, you may also want to eat a small amount of dry toast with CONTRAVE. If symptoms do not improve, please consult with your doctor who may also recommend an over-the-counter anti-nausea medication for you.