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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
Featured Diets and Supplements
Contrave?
User Feedback
(Page 6 of 10, 189 total comments)sheila
+Contrave is working great for me. It does cause nausea for the first month or so but if you can hang in there it does get better. I am no longer craving sweets at all. Hello one bite and done.
posted Jul 24th, 2015 12:50 amMore2love
-I'm on day 2 and feel like im floating. I feel shakey and not myself. I will not be taking this again.
posted Jul 23rd, 2015 7:09 pmSandra
I started Contrave on 6/15 and I have to say up until about 3 days ago my headaches were pretty bad. The headaches would last a day or two and then go away. One day it was a full blown migraine. I had read that this could be a side effect so I decided to plug on through. I had read somewhere that if you take Bonnie or Dramamine it will cure the headaches and any nausea if you are experiencing it and boy did that do the trick. I had fatigue pretty bad for a few days and now it has slowed down a bit. I get sleepy around 3. I have to say I do sleep very well. Nice peaceful and solid sleep. One thing I have noticed is that I am constipated. So after I pushed through the side effects I am finally feeling normal other than the constipation and occasional fatigue. I have lost 8.7 pounds in 3 weeks. I recommend that if you try Contrave, don't give up, work through the side effects if you can and the results are great. I feel FULL with very little food, I have no sugar cravings at all.
posted Jul 10th, 2015 9:53 pmTanya Testerman
?Is there a big difference between the adipex and Contrave? been taking adipex for about 9 months now....i lost 12 pounds initially, but now i went to the Dr. today and told him that i get the energy boost from the adipex but no longer appetite suppressant....He prescribed Contrave today and i haven't gotten it yet from the pharmacy due to preauthorization from my insurance, but I was wondering about the side effects????
John
+I have been taking it for two weeks with today being the first day at 4 pills-lots of energy, drinking a lot of water and trips to the loo.. So far I have lost 12 pounds-real loss (5%). I have stepped up cardio and have been eating 5-6 times per day-very small portions.
posted Jun 15th, 2015 9:36 pmFirst few days were strange but used to them now-my MD won't go beyond one 30 day prescription.
I thought I would never take diet pills but my doc said the results have been very good
Shelby
-Everyday I took it I was getting very bad side effects like dizziness, vomiting, headaches, and it made me VERY tired, which before taking Contrave I never had any of this happening to me! Yes it did control my hunger only because I felt very sick everyday and it made it so even the smell of food had me running to the bathroom to vomit! As a result of taking Contrave and it making me sick all the time I ended up getting hospitalized because I was very sick and dehydrated. I don't recommend anyone take this medication because It is very dangerous if you ask me.
posted Jun 11th, 2015 5:38 pmROSE
-i started Contrave on Friday, all day I was sick. Nausea, dizziness, headaches, weak. My husband started the same day, but he only felt shaky and "loopy". i dont think its worth the side effects. weight loss is probably from being sick and not being able to eat anything all day. I have had the same headache for 4 days now, and nausea has not subsided either.
posted Jun 9th, 2015 2:49 amKaren
-Started yesterday and the nasea is horrible
posted Jun 5th, 2015 9:39 pmLaura
+I'm only on day 2 and so far no side affects. I noticed that I have to remind myself to eat bc I have no cravings or urges. Will post again after a full week
posted Jun 5th, 2015 3:07 pmJavier
-Im 40 years old, and have played baseball my entire life. In the minors and now just recreationally. I decided to try COntrave given that I had about 40 to 50 lbs to lose, and didnt really work out this winter and gained a lot of weight in the process. Doctor gave me a Rx for the stuff, and really was looking forward to not binge eating late at night.
posted Jun 3rd, 2015 7:09 pmThe problems hit me right off the bat. I had that foggy feeling all the time, and had that drowsy feeling throughout the day. The worst part was that the foggy feeling didnt allow me to work out at the gym. I felt out of place. Out of my body. I kept reading that the side effects would go away, but they didnt. My urine was also a lot more potent and yellow. I also had a lot of cramping going on that I had never had. I don't know if its the contrive that did this, but I really don't know.
I didnt lose and I didnt gain. I had days where it did what it was supposed to do, and others where I would eat everything in sight. The headaches were awful. The foggy head feeling was constant. And then this past SUnday while playing, I felt my calf muscle tighten up. I began to favor it during the game only to then pull my groin a few innings later. Now IM just wanting to finish the season with decent numbers.
I stopped taking COntrave MOnday, and can honestly say that the headaches and foggy head feeling are going away.
Back tot he drawing board for me. I just needed help with the night binging.
Sean Ashby
+Started Contrave on 4/7/15 I am down 39lbs in 7 weeks haven't weighed in this week but I have lost 4 inches off of waist no side effects thus far really happy never think about eating at all have to literally remind myself to eat for the First Time in my Life.
posted Jun 1st, 2015 10:33 pmjennifer
-Took the pills for three weeks as prescribed. Insomnia, nausea, headaches but mild. Then started week four and felt horrible. Went off the meds and after a week am still nauseous. Will never take again and would not recommend to anyone...ever!
posted May 26th, 2015 6:57 pmRZ
+I have been on Contrave since March 6th. The first thing I notice was feeling my clothes fitting better. I only weigh myslef when I go to the DR. The 1st mth I lost just over 10 lbs. I have had a couple headaches and constipation but feel this is working great for me. I don't crave pasta or bread anymore and notice my appetite has gone down a lot. I would recommend this.
posted May 26th, 2015 3:27 amDawn
I just dropped my rx off at the pharmacy. I am a little nervous, but really excited. I gained 20 lbs in 2014 that I need to lose. Wellbutrin helped me quit smoking when nothing else could so I am cautiously optimistic! I hope to fit back into my old clothes by the middle of the summer.
posted May 21st, 2015 6:16 pmDawn
+I just dropped my rx off at the pharmacy. I'm a little nervous, but really excited. I gained 20 lbs in 2014 that I need to lose. Wellbutrin helped me quit smoking when nothing else could so I'm cautiously optimistic!
posted May 21st, 2015 6:11 pmJackie
+This is my first week of taking 4 pills a day. The headaches are easing up and I haven't felt sick since the second week I was taking it. Had some trouble getting started on the Scale Down program but it's working now so I'm excited to really get it started.
posted May 19th, 2015 7:41 pmI've lost 3 pounds so far without really diet or exercise. Adding that this week so hopefully it'll pick up. Good Luck to everyone taking it!
Netc
-I started this medication about 8 weeks ago. My throat felt swollen and painful, I had hard time breathing and felt nauseated all the time. My mouth was also very dry. Within 5 days of taking it I was diagnosed with strep so the dr thought maybe my symptoms were from that. so he said to stop the contrave, take all the antibiotics and start again. He also said it takes about three weeks for side effects to regulate so to take it for that long. took all the antibiotics. started the contrave again. same symptoms. each time I increased the dosage I felt worse and worse. my throat feels swollen and like I am constantly gagging. the dry mouth is terrible. after the most recent clinical test was ended due to irregularities I decided this is not worth it. I only got to the three pills a day and felt AWFUL!!! I didn't take that evening pill and felt so nice the next morning. I only lost about 3 lb in that time, but i have decreased my calorie intake and increased my exercise so I don't think this really helped. Frankly, if feeling like you're going to puke all the time is the only way it helps people to lose weight, its not for me. I felt hungry all the time. Oh, also because of the dry mouth, it made it really hard for me to taste anything in my food, I'd rather eat less of delicious tasting food on my own. would NOT recommend this at all.
posted May 15th, 2015 6:22 pmKelly white
+I have been on contrave for about 4 weeks now. I tried taking two in the a.m. And two. In the pm but can't. 1 in morning and 2 at night. I have lost 10 pounds so fast. I am going to keep on it for a while. Can't wait to see what happens. I haven't exercised but feel more energy. Slight nausea but really went from stuffing and couldn't get enough to okay this is okay. Cravings are gone. Resistance I have. Wow I said that up resistance. I am no poster child but hang in there everyone. I feel us losing weight altogether. Thanks for sharing your words have helped me. Kelly in CT
posted May 12th, 2015 3:14 pmmaddawg
I started a week ago taking one in am one at night. The first day I was pretty confused but also felt euphoric. I wad nauseous for a bit and got a headache later in the day. I haven't weighed but I do want to say that it basically tells your brain your not interested in food. It has made me tired though. And yesterday I went to 4/day. I want to continue and try to see some results!
posted May 10th, 2015 11:28 pmmary
I just started Contrave today and honestly I had such a dizzy, weird "out of body" feeling all day that I am a little afraid to take it again tomorrow. Can anyone tell me how long it takes for these side effects to subside. I am sure its different for everyone but it certainly is disconcerting to be so out of it. I just hope it doesn't get worse as I was really very hopeful about the results I keep reading about.
posted May 10th, 2015 12:44 am