Description
What is Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) used for?
-
Long-term treatment for weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater; or BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater and a weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
How Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) works
Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) is a combination of two medications.
-
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist.
-
Bupropion is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It raises levels of dopamine and norepinephrine.
It’s not completely clear how these two medications work together to help with weight. But it’s suggested that they work on parts of your brain that are responsible for appetite control and the reward system. This might help manage your food cravings.
Common or mild Contrave side effects include:
-
Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
-
Constipation
-
Headache
-
Dizziness
-
Insomnia
-
Dry mouth
-
Diarrhea
-
Anxiety or irritability
-
Hot flushes
-
Excess sweating
-
Fatigue
-
Tremors
-
Ringing in the ears
-
Taste changes
Rare but serious Contrave risks and side effects include:
-
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
-
Mood changes
-
Seizures
-
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
-
Eye problems
-
Liver problems
-
Severe allergic reactions
What’s the typical Contrave dosage?
Contrave is approved for adults who have a starting body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 and at least one weight-related medical condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Contrave is not approved for use in children or adolescents.
It’s best to take Contrave with food, but you should avoid taking it with high-fat meals. Doing so can increase your risk of seizures from the bupropion component of the medication. Do not crush, chew, or split Contrave tablets. This can affect how well your body absorbs Contrave.
Each Contrave tablet contains 8 mg of naltrexone and 90 mg of bupropion. The typical Contrave dosage for weight loss is two tablets taken by mouth twice daily. You’ll typically reach this dose after a few weeks, as listed in the table below:
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.