CONTRAVE (naltrexone HCI/bupropion HCl) is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help adults with obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2), or who are overweight (BMI greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2) with at least one weight-related medical condition, lose weight and keep the weight off. CONTRAVE should be used along with diet and exercise.

CONTRAVE contains two well-known FDA-approved drugs, naltrexone and bupropion that, individually, have been on the market for over 30 years. Naltrexone is an anti-addiction medication approved to treat alcohol and opioid dependence. Bupropion is an antidepressant approved to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder and is an aid to smoking cessation treatment. (These individual drugs are not approved for weight loss and CONTRAVE is not indicated for the treatment of depression, smoking cessation, or alcohol or opioid dependence.)

The exact neurochemical effects of CONTRAVE leading to weight loss are not fully understood. CONTRAVE is believed to work on two areas of the brain—the hypothalamus (your hunger center) to help reduce hunger and the mesolimbic reward system to help control cravings that can get in the way of weight loss. Across three one-year studies, nearly half of patients taking CONTRAVE along with diet and exercise lost 5% or more of their body weight versus 23% of patients with diet and exercise alone (placebo).

CONTRAVE is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) or 27 or greater (overweight) who have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It is to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

CONTRAVE is not for everyone. Do not take CONTRAVE if you:

• Have a seizure disorder
• Are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
• Are under the age of 18
• Have uncontrolled hypertension
• Use other medicines that contain bupropion such as Wellbutrin and Aplenzin
• Are dependent on opioid medicines or use medicines to help stop taking opioids, such as methadone or buprenorphine or are in opiate withdrawal
• Drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking
• Use medicines called sedatives like benzodiazepines, or anti-seizure medicines, and you stop using them suddenly
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE, such as naltrexone HCI and bupropion HCI
• Are taking medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

To learn more, see the Medication Guide.

CONTRAVE should be taken by mouth in the morning and in the evening and should not be taken with high-fat meals.

CONTRAVE dosing should be increased slowly according to the following schedule:

Standard Dosage for Patients Taking Contrave
Tablets not shown to size.

It’s important to take CONTRAVE exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Keep in mind that some people, like those with renal or hepatic impairment, or those taking certain other medications, may need to follow a different dosing schedule. A total daily dosage of four CONTRAVE tablets (i.e., two tablets taken twice per day) should be reached at the start of week four.

To learn more about dosing, see the Medication Guide

Common Side Effects & Tips for Managing Them
The most common side effects reported with CONTRAVE include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, and diarrhea. For most people, these symptoms went away within the first four weeks of taking CONTRAVE. If symptoms do not improve, please consult with your healthcare provider.

In general, it is recommended you drink plenty of water when taking CONTRAVE. If you experience nausea, you may also want to eat a small amount of dry toast with CONTRAVE. If symptoms do not improve, please consult with your doctor who may also recommend an over-the-counter anti-nausea medication for you.