What is Contrave?
Contrave is a combination of the two medications, naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride.
It’s used in combination with dietary changes and exercise to help control weight in adults with a BMI over 30, or over 27 in combination with a number of weight-related health conditions.
For more resources, including a full list of the risks and benefits of Contrave, please review the product monograph.
How does Contrave work?
Contrave has two ingredients: naltrexone (an opioid antagonist), and bupropion (a relatively weak inhibitor of the neuronal reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine).
Nonclinical studies suggest that naltrexone and bupropion have effects on two separate areas of the brain, which are involved in the regulation of food intake. These two areas are the hypothalamus (appetite regulatory center), and the mesolimbic dopamine circuit (reward system).
The combination of their effects may lead to reduced appetite, as well as fewer food cravings.
What is Contrave used to treat?
Contrave is frequently used as a weight management treatment for adults with a BMI over 30, in combination with dietary changes and regular exercise.
In some cases, Contrave is also used for adults with a BMI over 27, who are experiencing some type of weight-related health condition.
These types of conditions could include:
- High blood pressure, which is being controlled by medication
- Type 2 diabetes
- High levels of lipids in the blood (i.e., cholesterol, fats, etc.)
How do you take Contrave?
Contrave should be used in combination with dietary changes and exercise for the purpose of weight management.
Dosing should be escalated using the following schedule:
Week 1 - 1 morning tablet, no evening tablet
Week 2 - 1 morning tablet, 1 evening tablet
Week 3 - 2 morning tablets, 1 evening tablet
Week 4 - 2 morning tablets, 2 evening tablets
From week 4 onward, you should take 2 tablets each morning, and two each evening. Tablets should be taken orally, with food (avoid high-fat meals). Don’t cut, chew, or crush the tablets.
Don’t drink alcohol while taking Contrave. Always follow the specific dosage directions listed on your prescription and given to you by your healthcare practitioner.
How long does Contrave last after you take it?
What are the common side effects of Contrave?
The most common side effects of taking a Contrave prescription include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Feeling jittery
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tremors
- Migraines
- Dysgeusia (bad taste in the mouth)
- Restlessness or inability to focus
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Hyperhidrosis (sweating excessively)
- Flushing
- Hair loss
- Flu symptoms
If you start to experience any serious side effects from taking Contrave, talk to your Felix healthcare practitioner. They may be able to suggest alternative medications that will work better for you.
Who shouldn't take Contrave?
There are a number of people who shouldn’t take Contrave, such as:
- People who are allergic to any of the ingredients in Contrave
- People under the age of 18
- People who are pregnant or believe they could be pregnant
- People who have high blood pressure that can’t be controlled by medication
- People with severe liver problems
- People at end-stage kidney failure
- People who have ever had a seizure
- People taking thioridazine
- People taking any medications containing bupropion hydrochloride
- People with an eating disorder (i.e., bulimia, anorexia, etc.)
- People dependent on opioid pain relievers
- People who drink a lot on a regular basis
- People taking sedatives, benzodiazepines, or anti-seizure medications
- People taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)