Contrave 120s

What is Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion) used for​​​?

Contrave® is an FDA-approved dual-action weight loss medication in the form of an oral formulation, containing 8mg of Naltrexone and 90mg of Bupropion. It is a combination medication meant to target areas of the brain tied to cravings and appetite.

How does Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion) work?

Contrave combines two medications, Naltrexone and Bupropion, to help with weight loss.

1. Naltrexone in Contrave helps reduce food cravings. It works by affecting certain receptors in the brain that are involved in the reward system. By blocking these receptors, Naltrexone can help decrease the desire for food.
2. Bupropion in Contrave acts as an appetite suppressant. It affects certain chemicals in the brain that influence hunger and feelings of fullness. This can make you feel less hungry and reduce the urge to eat excessively.

How effective is Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion)?

Contrave was studied for efficacy and safety in 3 clinical trials with over 2322 patients. Across the 3 different clinical studies, patients struggling with obesity who took Contrave, along with diet and exercise, lost 2-4 times more weight over 1 year than with diet and exercise alone.

Study 1: COR-1

• The Contrave group lost an average of 5.4% of their baseline body weight (or 12 pounds) compared with the placebo group, which lost an average of 1.3 % of their body weight (or 3 pounds).
• The average waist reduction for patients taking Contrave was 2.4 inches, compared to 1 inch for those in the placebo group.

Study 2: COR-BMOD

• The Contrave group lost an average of 8.1% of their baseline body weight (or 18 pounds) compared with the placebo group, which lost an average of 4.9% of their body weight (or 11 pounds).
• The average waist reduction for patients taking Contrave was 3.9 inches, compared to 2.7 inches for those in the placebo group.

Study 3: COR-Diabetes

• The Contrave group lost an average of 3.7% of their baseline body weight (or 8.5 pounds) compared with the placebo group, which lost an average of 1.7% on average (or 4 pounds).
• The average waist reduction for patients taking Contrave was 2 inches, compared to 1.1 inches for those in the placebo group.

Contrave is a long-term approach to help you achieve sustainable weight loss results. Your results may vary depending on your weight, body mass index (BMI), diet, activity level, and other factors.

Dosage and How to Use​

Contrave is designed to be introduced to the body gradually. The dosing starts at a lower level and increases over time, allowing the body to adjust to the medication.

Starting: Week 1: one tablet in the morning

Week 2: one tablet in the morning, one tablet in the evening

Week 3: two tablets in the morning, one tablet in the evening

Week 4 onwards: two tablets in the morning, two tablets in the evening

• Swallow the tablets whole with plenty of water. Do not cut, chew or crush the tablets as it is specially coated.
• Do not take Contrave with high-fat meals. It may increase your risk of side effects.
• Do not change your Contrave dose without talking with your healthcare provider. Do not take more than 4 tablets in a day.
• It is important that you take the dose the doctor has recommended for you. Do not take more than the recommended dose as it will increase the side effects you experience and may not increase the effect on weight loss.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you miss a dose of Contrave, skip that dose and wait until your next regular time to take it. Do not take more than 1 dose of Contrave at a time. Never take a double dose to make up for a dose you have missed.

What are the possible side effects of Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion)?​

Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion) is a medication that, while effective for weight loss, can come with a range of side effects including nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, and diarrhea.

To help manage these potential side effects, Contrave is designed to be introduced to the body gradually. The dosing starts at a lower level and increases over time, allowing the body to adjust to the medication and thereby reduce the severity of any side effects.

Inform your doctor if the side effects above become severe and bother you.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding – inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on Contrave.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies
• You have a history of or current medical conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, seizure, liver or kidney diseases, glaucoma, opioid addiction or withdrawal, agitated states or a history of psychiatric illness including anorexia nervosa and depression, history of drug/alcohol abuse.
• Contrave is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

What other medications and foods should I avoid when taking Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion)?

Please inform your healthcare professional about all the medicines and supplements you take, especially the following medicines:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)—usually used to treat depression
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—used to treat depression and anxiety
• Sedatives such as Xanax, Valium, Fiorinal, Klonopin, and others
• Opioid medications—usually used for to treat severe pain
• Other forms of Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, Budeprion, Forfivo, Zyban, and others)

Please inform your healthcare professionals that you are taking Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion) if you are seeing them for other medical conditions.

Drinking alcohol with Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion) may increase your risk of seizures. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk to your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Bupropion can also cause seizures in a regular drinker who suddenly stops drinking.

Handling and storage

• ​Keep your medicines in the original container or packaging, tightly closed or sealed in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Keep the medicine out of reach of children.
• Throw away all expired medicines.

The above information answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It also does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

References

https://contrave.com/

https://www.mims.com/malaysia/drug/info/contrave