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Home 
Diets
Diet Supplements
How Does
Contrave Compare?
BACKGROUND
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PRO
CON
INGREDIENTS
ADMINISTRATION
DIET and EXERCISE
CONCLUSION
Common Misspellings
Whats better than
Contrave?
Diets
Diet Supplements
Contrave Diet Pills Exposed [UPDATED 2024] - Does It Work?
A breakthrough diet pill that attacks cravings and appetite.
Top Rated Diet Pills of 2024What is it?
Contrave is a weight loss pill that claims it’s the #1 prescribed medication for weight loss. It’s made up of an antidepressant drug and an appetite reducing drug.
Diet and exercise are required, and the intended results are to help rewire brain chemistry to reduce eating. The company does admit it’s not sure how this brand can help with weight loss, but they state that it may help. Since it’s a prescription drug, it’s only offered if a doctor recommends it. Contrave is only allowed for those with a BMI of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher with an obesity related disease. You’ll learn in this review about what it can do for weight loss, how customers rate it, and other important facts.
In reviewing many weight loss diet pills, our review experts have found Sletrokor to be the most effective. It offers natural plant based extracts that are free of stimulants and made to help promote well rounded weight loss. For more information on Sletrokor click on the link cited here.
Do You Know the Best Weight Loss Pills of 2024?
Contrave Ingredients and Side Effects
|
Naltrexone Hydrochloride |
Bupropion Hydrochloride |
Microcrystalline Cellulose |
Hydroxypropryl Cellulose |
|
Lactose Anhydrous |
L-cysteine hydrochloride |
Crospovidone |
Magnesium Stearate |
|
Hypromellose |
Edetate Disodium |
Lactose Monohydrate |
Colloidal Silicon Dioxide |
|
Opadry II Blue |
FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake |
|
|
Naltrexone Hydrochloride: This drug is usually used to help give relief to those addicted to opioids. It blocks the absorption of opioid drugs such as heroin, pain pills, and more.
It is also used alongside therapy and support for helping relieve addictions. Possible side effects are many and they include:
- Nausea, anxiety, and dizziness.
- Insomnia, abdominal pain, and restlessness.
- Muscle aches, joint and bone pain, and runny nose.
- Hallucinations, confusion, and withdrawal symptoms.
- Serious allergic reactions, swelling, and hives.
Drugs.com also adds:
“Patients should be warned of the risk of hepatic injury”
“Depression, suicide, attempted suicide and suicidal ideation have been reported”
It may also negatively interactions with other medications and supplements. It’s advised to seek the support of a medical doctor, and to be aware of a potential for serious allergic effects.
This takes awareness of one’s own experience with medication, and to be aware of any symptoms that aren’t normal. Click on the link here for a list of the top ranked weight loss diet pills.
Bupropion Hydrochloride: Drug used to treat depression. It changes chemicals in the brain and is used to produce a good feeling. There’s also use of it for helping treat addiction, and to lower the risk of anxiety.
It’s advised not to take this if one has a history of heart, kidney, liver, or brain problems. Possible side effects can include:
- Insomnia, restlessness, and sweating.
- Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
- Ringing in the ears, headache, and dry mouth.
- Increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and memory loss.
- Anxiety, agitation, and unusual weight loss or weight gain.
- Difficulty concentrating, confusion, and erratic behavior.
There are several other possible side effects, and it’s advised to seek medical attention for certain symptoms. In some people this may cause a serious allergic reaction. According to the Annals of Internal Medicine:
“bupropion… promote modest weight loss when given along with recommendations for diet”
This effect was not seen in all people, and there’s still the risk for serious potential side effects.
Due to this ingredients effects on mood, boxed of Contrave come with a warning that it may increase the likelihood of suicide. That’s why it’s highly advised to monitor any mood changes, and to seek the continued support of a certified physician.
Opadry II Blue: A patented form of food coloring. It’s used to help coat pills and to make them easier to absorb.
It’s unknown what possible side effects it may have.
FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake: Artificial food dye often found in pill coatings. It has no nutritional value, and is only added to give the pills a blue color.
There’s a possibility for it causing allergic raections and hypearctiivy in certain people.
EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven fat burner such as Sletrokor for better results.
Contrave Quality of Ingredients
This brand is made with 2 active ingredients, a drug often used to block opioids and a drug that helps decrease appetite and reduce the risk of depression. There are several possible side effects to consider, and not everyone reacts to this combination the same.
There are also a lot of considerations asuch as avoiding high fat meals, starting with small amounts to start with then building up, and not mixing it alongside certan ingredints. It’s also recommended to avoid this if one has a history of certain illnesses, or if one is prone to seizure.
The ingredients added to this formula may produce a weight loss effect, but only certain peoole can even consider taking it. Still, a doctor needs to prescribe it and deem a person healthy , yet still obese enough to take it.
The manfacturers state this is only a short term solution, and that diet and exercise are necessary. Due to all these issues, the quality of ingredients is very poor. The list of top 10 diet pill supplements has the best weight loss solutions.
The Price and Quality of Contrave
Pricing can vary on Contrave, with estimates around $55 a month to $200 a month depending on location, dosing ,and whether or not insurance covers it.
Since only 2 of the ingredients are actually active, the majority are added to either stabilize the capsules, or to give them a unique color. These inactive ingredients have no weight loss effect at all.
No long term study has been performed to show what kinds of cardiovascular effects it may have. So it’s unknown what the potential rate of heart damage might be.
This brand is particularly expensive, and the manufacturers admit they’re not certain how it works. There are other options for weight loss such as the top 10 diet pills featured when you click here.
Before being able to use this brand one has to consider several possivle inteactions. There is also nio guarantee of safety or effecitvneess. Still, evne with a doctors prescription, it’s unknown how this drug may affect you. You’ll see in the “Customer Opinions of Contrave” section that many failed to experience any results, and that side effects were a major issue.
Business of Contrave
The owners go by the name of Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. They can be reached via the following:
Phone Number: (877) 825-3327
Address: One Takeda Parkway
Deerfield, Illinois 60015
Since it’s a prescription drug, no returns are allowed on Contrave.
The company has had major lawsuits for creating harmful drugs. A $2.37 billion settlement was givne to 9,000 people who suffered from bladder cancer.
A $37 million dollar fine was also imposed for them hidng the risk of cancer in one of their drugs. The company was going to conduct a long-term study on cardiovascular effects of Contrave, but they cut it short and did not release any of the findings.
EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results, our experts recommend using weight loss pills for at least 3 months. Save your money by buying a few bottles at once.
Customer Opinions of Contrave
Many reviews are avialble online, here’s what a few users had to say:
“I could not take this pill, I was physically drained”
“Garbage. I didn’t lose a pound”
“I’m rapidly gaining weight. I gained 8lbs in 30 days”
“I took it for 4 months and didn’t lose any weight”
Though some did lose weight, there were often common complaints that include anxiety, restlessness, extreme fatigue, headaches, and loss of sex drive, mood swings, and many other issues.
The most often listed side effect was fatigue. Many were unable to continue doing their regular routine, as they were often bedridden.
Drugs.com compiled a list of the ratings, and the average rating for weight loss was 5.9 out of 10. Many thought it was an unfavorable drug. Oddly enough, some people actually gained weight.
Nor everyone reacts to this drug the same, the major problem was a lack of consistency. Unlike supplements, this drug works deep within the brain to change how chemicals are sent. When dealing with drugs like this, it’s impossible for anyone to determine what a likely affect might be. Though as mentioned, no returns are offered.
Conclusion - Does Contrave Work?
When analyzing Contrave it’s important to look at the customer reviews, what considerations need to be made, and how the manufacturers operate. Not only are there several serious potential side effects, but the makers have no idea exactly how this drug works. Diet and exercise are required, and it’s not guaranteed for weight loss as no money back policy is offered. The manufacturers have also lost lawsuits for making drugs that caused cancer and organ damage. Contrave requires a lot of considerations, and may people failed to see any weight loss.
The 2024 best supplement of the year award was won by Sletrokor. It contains only natural ingredients, no stimulants, and it’s available without a prescription. This diet pill has helped people lose weight, and you can read real testimonials from satisfied customers on their website. Sletrokor has plant extracts which have been clinically studied. The benefits are numerous and they include improved mood, suppressed appetite, increased metabolism, regulated blood sugar levels, increased energy, and much more.
Sletrokor is also offered risk free; it’s backed by a full 30 day money back guarantee. Returns are allowed with no questions asked. To learn more about Sletrokor, click here.
- Product Name
- User Rating
- Has Good Appetite Suppressant
- Has Only Natural Components
- Contains No Coffee
- Sletrokor
(Editor’s Choice) - 94/100
-
-
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BACKGROUND
Start the Diet Now Advertisement
While most diet pills are a dime a dozen, once in awhile a promising weight loss pill hits the market that causes even the most skeptical of medical professionals to stop and listen. Contrave is one such product.
Developed by Orexigen Therapeutics, Contrave is actually the combination of two different drugs: The antidepressant medication, buproprion, or Wellbutrin, and the drug naltrexone, which is used to treat alcohol and opiate addiction.
Rather than working to block fat or starches like many prescribed diet pills do, Contrave unleashes its power on the brain, where it works to quell cravings in the brain's highly complex behavior-reward center, and also to temper appetite.
In late-stage clinical trials, Contrave has fared much better than the FDA's standards for improving weight loss, exceeding by five percent. Rather, those who took Contrave while also following a diet and exercise program lost between nine and 15 percent of their body weight while those who did not lost just about five percent of their body weight.
Contrave has also shown few side effects and notably absent are mental health and uncomfortable physical side effects that often come from taking weight loss pills. In fact, those studied showed an improved quality of life while taking the pill.
Contrave is being slated as a chronic diet pill; if you take it and lose weight you will have to continue to take it in order to maintain lost weight. One of the downfalls with most of the diet pills on the market, whether or not they require a prescription, is that once you stop taking them, weight is easily regained. Since Contrave specifically acts on the centers of the brain that govern overeating behaviors and craving desires, there is hope that its ability to suppress these processes will lead to long-term weight loss.
As of July 2009, Orexigen Therapeutics is seeking FDA approval. When and if Contrave is approved for consumer use, it will require a prescription from a medical professional.
Do You Know the Best Diet Pills of 2024?
PRO
- Shows promise in late-stage clinical trials
- Exceeding FDA standards in trials
- Cocktail-like therapy may be the benchmark for future diet pills
- Few side effects
- Weight loss is greater than placebo alone
- If approved, requires a prescription
CON
- May need to take diet pill chronically
- Weight loss advantage is not that significant
- Not a magic solution to healthy eating behaviors and to a healthy weight
- Still awaiting FDA approval
INGREDIENTS
Contrave is a breakthrough weight loss drug because it contains both buproprion and naltrexone.
Buprupion is also known as the branded prescription drug Wellbutrin, a quality anti-depressant.
Naltrexone is a prescription drug used to treat addiction, in cases such as smoking, alcohol or even opiates.
ADMINISTRATION
Contrave will likely be taken daily. Since the drug is awaiting FDA approval, precise dosage instructions are not yet available.
DIET and EXERCISE
A low-fat and low-calorie diet and regular exercise program is followed while taking Contrave. Since this drug does not act on the stomach, there are currently no specific foods that need to be avoided or a particular style of eating that needs to be followed while taking it.
CONCLUSION
Contrave is a new weight loss pill that shows promise for being able to act on the brain's pathways that control cravings and appetite. This new kind of drug, which combines two different kinds of psychopharmaceuticals, is predicted to be the wave of the future for diet pills.
Contrave is still awaiting FDA approval.
Common Misspellings
contrav, contreve, contrive, contrave diet, contrave diet pill, wellbutrin diet pill, crave diet pills, cuntrave, contreav
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User Feedback
(Page 1 of 10, 189 total comments)Brooke Langan
From the first day I started taking contrave I found my cravings stopped. I have been on contrave for the past 8 months and just recently have noticed it not being as effective as it was originally for me. I have lost 40 lbs which is 20% of my body weight.
posted Apr 12th, 2019 4:04 pmJenny
I unfortunately have to be on opioids for severe back issues including a fentanyl patch. This Rx should never have been prescribed!! I took one and went into severe opioid withdrawals to the point where I was rushed to the ER. It was the most horrific pain I have ever been in! Luckily the ER doc looked at the bottle and said these should never, ever been prescribed and the pharmacy should have gotten a big red flag. I just want anyone who is on prescribed pain medicine DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE!!
posted Jan 7th, 2019 1:12 pmAnn Blake-Tracy
I don't know who made up this chart, but Contrave has NO natural ingredients!
posted Dec 5th, 2018 3:00 amManuela V
Lost 37 pounds in 4 months
posted Sep 27th, 2018 6:36 amSusan
Horrible pill
posted Sep 3rd, 2018 2:28 amMade me so sick along with uncontrollable spasms
Would not recommend
Shaunell
I have been taking Contrave for 7 months It has worked for me and i love it. I was lucky to have no side effects. I have lost a total of 50lbs. I work out for 15 mins 4 days a week. I have a job that I sit at a desk for 9 hours a day. Before taking contrave I was sitting at my desk eating snacks here and other. I only eat 2 meals a day. My doctor told me the best way to take covtrave is to remove bread, cheese, pasta, and as much sugar as I can. I drink 1 slimfast shake for breakfast every day. I have 30 more pounds to go to hit my goal weight. This plan may not work for everyone but it has for me.
posted Aug 31st, 2018 7:29 amSherry M Zaffaroni
Since January 2018 I have lost the 30 lbs I've been trying to lose for the past year, using Contrave. Didn't really change my diet, as I am a diabetic and was already eating properly. Side effects were non-existent for me. I have slowly weaned myself from the Contrave, and have every hope of maintaining the loss. Based on my experience I would recommend this product.
posted Aug 21st, 2018 1:07 pmAlyssa
I'm currently on week 3. I haven't experienced any MAJOR side effects. The first 2 or 3 days I had headaches, but I'm prone to those anyway. Maybe some nausea here and there. Been trying to limit what I eat but haven't really changed my diet too much. Can't drink soda anymore. Or sweet tea. It tastes nasty now. Don't really want to or like to smoke cigarettes anymore. I'm sure once I resume my gym routine and actually manage my diet, it'll do just fine. Haven't seen any dramatic weight loss but down about 5 lbs. It's a start.
posted Jul 24th, 2018 11:00 amEboni
1month down, only 1.1 lb!!!
posted May 29th, 2018 2:00 pmBut not giving up yet💪🏽
KL Von
It works but I joined Weight Watchers and I have a short exercise regimen, I have been taking the medicine for 3 weeks. I have lost 11 pounds. No problem with side effects but I take it with food and lots of water
posted May 11th, 2018 7:58 pmJamie
Im on the highest dosage and been trying to walk at least 4 miles a day 3 times a week and work out at least 30 miles minutes a day. This is almost 2 months and have not lost any weight or gain. Its made me more hungry and doesnt help with any of my cravings. My ins does not cover this but have a coupon having to pay 99.00 month. Will be seeing my Dr. again soon.
posted Mar 28th, 2018 7:08 pmMaggie
Stopped week three.
posted Mar 28th, 2018 2:36 pmSevere dry mouth, insomnia, hot flashes, scattered.
Maggie
Beginning week three, I stopped. Completely. So, two weeks in, this is why: (keep in mind, each week calls for a higher dose)
posted Mar 27th, 2018 11:38 am- Awful, AWFUL insomnia began during second week.
- word dropping, forgetfulness
- hot flashes, sweating, always feeling too warm
- lethargic, no energy
- Dry mouth. I mean Sahara desert dry! (Interestingly, did not induce a craving for water).
Did it curb cravings? Not sure. I don't think so, but if did a little, it still is not worth the high degree of downside.
Laraine
I am not sure what I think yet. I am taking 4 pills a day. I feel better overall. I am not depressed anymore. I have not weighed myself but feel like I have gained weight. I have been able to make healthy choices and am eating less. No urge to snack and lost my taste or desire for coffee and diet soda. I am trying to drink more fluids. Its the weight gain that concerns me. Will this continue or eventually dissipate once I adjust to four pills a day? I feel like I should stop but my depression is better.
posted Jan 3rd, 2018 1:19 pmalanna brand
This definitely cuts cravings. The first thing I noticed was that I wasn't craving things but had the habit. I realized a lot of snacking was from habit so I needed to work on that. Without the cravings it made it much easier to focus on other issues. I also wasn't hungry near as often so I assume what I thought was hunger was just cravings. I've been using it for 6 months the first three I lost 15lbs. The first 3 montgs i lost 10lbs and the second 3 was thru Christmas Thanksgiving and foot surgery so I only lost 5 more lbs. I definitely ate no ware near the norm for holidays, I noticed real change. I did exercise regularly until the foot surgery so that also affected the last three months.
posted Jan 3rd, 2018 9:57 amcurious
I've bs een taking contrive for 3 weeks now and I've gained about 5lbs not going to continue taking it bc I don't think trying to get to week four will differ, i'm noticing a rash of small bumps on my skin at first I thought a mosquito had bitten me on my arms and ankle but now I think this to is a reaction from taking contrive, I once drank a cup of coffee before taking a pill and within in 10 minute my heart was racing and I was losing my breathe and panicking at the same time and I had to pull over and just control my breathing , I've never experienced such a horrifying experience like that before and it didn't dawn on me at first that drinking coffee and taking the pill was the cause but I realized it was the mix of the two the caffeine and the pill, greatly disappointed in this product and I would advice anyone to notice and take heed to any unusual reactions to this med and take heed and stop taking it
posted Nov 29th, 2017 11:56 pmWilliam M
"I started using Contrave 3 months ago. I take one 12 hour extended release tab twice daily and I must say I have never witnessed results as quickly as I have with contrave. My starting weight was 233.4 and in three months I’m down 20.8 pounds to 212.4. I weigh just about daily to get an accurate track of my weight loss or gain but I have noticed anywhere from a .4 to .8 weight loss per day with no exercise other than waking around inside the office and doing business. The only other thing I did in addition to taking contrave is that I have cut out most carbs that I once ate way to much or like bread, beer, French fries, baked potatoes, white rice and my old favorite Thai food noodles. After doing all of that I’m steadily losing weight"
posted Nov 25th, 2017 8:28 amCindy
I have been taking for one month. Have lost no weight. Do not feel it was controlled my hunger. Or my cravings. Very disappointed.
posted Nov 7th, 2017 9:07 pmNancy Hines
I have been on contrave two weeks now. The only thing I have noticed is my stomach hurts sometimes. I have loads of energy and it is helping my arthritis in my knee. I have not weighted yet. I will post again next week and let you know.
posted Nov 3rd, 2017 10:01 amLeanne
I feel great on this medicine. I've been on it for 3 weeks so far. This is what worked for me to avoid nausea/tiredness.
posted Oct 26th, 2017 11:48 am1. I need to be hydrated at all times - once I'm even a little dehydrated, the nausea pops back. For me this is a good thing. I hate being nauseous so I always drink my water to avoid it. Before, I never drank enough water.
2. I only take pills after I've eaten. If I have an empty stomach and take these I will get nauseous. I take mine after breakfast and after dinner and I don't get any nausea.
3. I started the first two weeks backwards after reading the reviews on nausea. Instead of starting with one in the morning I started with one at night to get my body used to the new medicine. This may have slowed my weight loss but it worked for me.
I've lost 5 lbs so far which for me is pretty amazing since I wasn't losing anything before no matter how hard I tried. I also never feel deprived which is an awesome feeling. The other day I actually cut a sandwich in half and saved the other half for the next day without even thinking about it. That would never have happened before.