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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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-
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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 7 of 10, 189 total comments)Marian
Is anybody taking concave while being on 54 mg of concerta
posted May 7th, 2015 10:44 pm
+Ellie Markum
I've been on the starting dose of one pill a day for the past week and have lost 7 lbs so far. The first few days were rough to get used to the way it made me feel (dizzy, foggy), but I feel much better now. I'm getting such good results so far (no cravings, eating smaller portions, etc.) that I'm going to try to stick with the one pill a day rather than increasing the dosage to the next step. The full dose is four pills a day. I can always increase it later if I need to, but for now the low dose is working for me. If cravings are your main issue with difficulty losing weight, Contrave may be a good fit for you. It took my ridiculous cravings for chocolate down to nothing. Now when I see chocolate, I'm indifferent -- like, it's nice but I don't care about it any more than a tuna sandwich. It feels good to have more control over what I eat.
posted May 5th, 2015 1:03 pmAngie
+I just started taking this today. I like the fact that I'm not craving food, although I am worried that I am very nauseated. I am hoping that once I get used to it that this will pass.
posted May 1st, 2015 4:06 pmtryinghard
+Been on it for 6 weeks and have dropped 18 pounds. I work out at Crossfit about 3 times a week. I have no urges to eat, and usually do so only when I feel dizzy. I also used to drink about 4 beers a night. I have no urges to this either.
posted Apr 28th, 2015 2:50 amAllie
+I started March 4th and in 6 weeks I've lost 32 lbs on this but I follow a 1200 calorie diet and exercise cardio 3 times a week. However side affects are starting to kick in and I feel like I'm constipated and my urine output greatly decreased when I'm drinking a ton of water so the last couple days I've actually gained back a pound and not sure why as I'm still dieting and exercising... this medicine does cause liver damage so I think I'm go off of it now that my body is used to the diet and I don't crave food so I feel like it Def jump started my determination but now I can do this on my own.
posted Apr 24th, 2015 1:50 pmJane
-I have been on Contrave for over two months, I'm sick everyday. I can't eat anything. Yes I lost weight but hate being sick. I'm going back on Belvic. I want to puke all day long.
posted Apr 24th, 2015 12:35 pmGypsy
I took it yesterday and I fet horrible.
posted Apr 21st, 2015 4:52 pmI had the worst migrane and felt nausiated al day. at night I slet maybe 2 hours was restless all night and the next day I felt the same way,
its not worth the side effects.
KB
+The RX said to take it twice a day but I had read to take it only once in the AM for the first week so I did that. Thank god. This stuff is powerful. It took only minutes for me to feel foggy and "out of it" ... then the headaches started, then the fatigue. ( I had read these are side effects) One day I was nauseous for a while but mostly it was extreme fatigue and bad headache. One day I actually had to pull over when driving to take a 45 minute break. (I was driving from Brunswick)
posted Apr 20th, 2015 8:59 pmAfter about 5 days I took only half of a tablet. That helped some. This last Sat I did not take anything and finally the headache broke. I decided since it causes me so much fatigue I would take it at night. The last two nights I have taken 1/2 tab at bedtime and that has helped a lot with the symptoms. I may try one tablet at bedtime another night this week. There is NO way I could tolerate two tablets in one day as is indicated for the second week.
This medication absolutely kicks you if you have any alcohol at all- even the smallest amount. I don't even dare or have any desire at this point. It has completely regulated my portion control. I can hardly eat two eggs for breakfast. I have been eating several very small meals a day and going to the gym. I have lost about 6.5 pounds so far. I am happy with the results but one has to want to put up with the side effects to get there.
Sonja
-Second day of taking only one pill. First day, fine...Second day made me seriously ill. Nauseous,twilight zone, dizzy and suicidal thoughts. NEVER will I take this again!!!!
posted Apr 20th, 2015 1:27 amRobbie
?Is Contrave FDA approved now? I thought the FDA approved Septmeber 2014, but later took it off the market? So is this approved now by the FDA? I am confused. I thought it was approved September 2014 but later the FDA took it off the market and requested further study. My Doctor says has not been released yet?
michael rohan jr
+started Contrave on Feb 18 under Doctors care as of today with a change of diet and a regular work out routine I have lost 28 lbs,fell great, no side effects from the pill,the only problem that I have occurred was that I hit a weight lose plateau,
posted Apr 3rd, 2015 8:45 amBeachGirlNC
-I have been ramping up the dose from 1/day to 4/day over the last 4 weeks. I have been nauseous with a headache for at least 5 days following each added pill. I want to stop nearly every day but have hopes that now that I am on the full dose that my body will adjust and I will feel better. As I read these reviews I want to know how many people started with the full dose and who ramped up like me. I have not lost any weight nor have I had any added energy. My only appetite suppression is due to my nausea. I feel positive in seeing other reviews and hope the next week brings some improvements.
posted Apr 2nd, 2015 11:17 pmDana
+Started on 03/20 - been going to the gym 3-4x's a week and tracking food on W.W. Saw no progress week 1. THEN my scale arrived, I put down the scotch bottle, picked up the water bottle and GOT SERIOUS. With only 2 months before my daughter's wedding, NOW IS THE TIME. Began my weigh in with Scale Down Program on 03/28, since then I am down 5+ pounds. IN JUST SIX DAYS!!! Taking two pills a day until Friday, when I will begin 3. Progress is good but I'm awaiting even better results as I increase exercise and continue to track. Returning to W.W. meetings this Saturday since I left on a low, coming back on a high.
posted Apr 2nd, 2015 6:12 pmI only experienced headaches and GAS as side effects. Still hungry, but eating sensibly. YES thirsty, but that's a good thing and only helps with my struggle to consume water.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.
Nicole
+I started Contrave on March 14th. It really takes all cravings away for me. I have lost 11 pounds so far with daily exercise. I am on the 1:1 dose because when I increased to the 2:1 I had an allergic reaction. Hoping I can stay on the 1:1 because it's working for me!
posted Apr 1st, 2015 12:50 pmjq
-i have been on Contrave for 4 weeks and have gained 7 lbs. Always sick to stomach and dizzy. i don't know its worth it.
posted Mar 28th, 2015 8:46 pmwisenwitty
+I have been taking Contrave since March 9th and I'm down 12 pounds. Right now I take two in the morning and one in the late afternoon. The cravings have stopped so I do not eat in between meals at all. I haven't had any side effects except for a slight headache every so often.
posted Mar 24th, 2015 4:59 pmGaga
+Day 3 no side effects . I have not weighed, (only weighing weekly). Will have to say helping hunger sensation.
posted Mar 23rd, 2015 2:56 amDawn
+I started 5 days ago. I have some headaches, sweats, and sometimes I feel dizzy. It seems like its getting a little better as my body is getting use to taking it. The GOOD thing I feel myself getting Smaller (losing inches) I'm not weighing myself yet as I'm looking to lose inches not concerned about the lbs that will come as a result of getting toned. I'm looking forward to the weeks, months ahead especially if I'm seeing results this soon!!! I'll keep you posted!! :))
posted Mar 21st, 2015 5:21 pmJudy
+I wanted to read all info on this pill as my dr recommended that I try it.
posted Mar 19th, 2015 8:33 pmDonna A Alexander
-This is my third week taking it. I only 1 pound and I feel hungry all the time. I'm constantly looking for something to eat. Not Good. Did better before taking this. I also feel tired beyond words, nausea everyday all day. Asking my doctor to try me on something good. Also since I started this my legs ache.
posted Mar 19th, 2015 2:15 pm