What is Contrave?

Contrave is a weight loss tablet that works in the brain to alter feelings of hunger and how your body uses energy. You’ll start on a low dose of one tablet per day and gradually increase this to two tablets twice a day over the first four weeks.

Contrave is a medication that’s only available by prescription, so you’ll need to have a consultation with a doctor before you can use it.

How does Contrave work?

Contrave weight loss tablets contain naltrexone and bupropion, and these work on the specific area of the brain that controls how much food you eat and how energy is spent. By affecting cravings for food, it makes it less likely you’ll overeat, which can lead to significant weight loss if you make adjustments to your lifestyle too.

The ingredient bupropion is also used in some antidepressant medications, as well as a popular stop smoking treatment called Zyban. So Contrave is quite different to the weight loss tablet Orlistat, which affects how much fat you take up from food.

Is Contrave effective?

Contrave has been shown to work well in clinical trials, and be even more effective when used alongside weight loss management counseling. In a study of people taking it over 56 weeks, there was an average weight loss of 5.4%, and an average weight loss of 8.1% in people who also had behavioral support. ^[1]

In a combined analysis of studies, up to 42% of people taking Contrave over 56 weeks lost at least 5% of their body weight, and up to 22% lost 10% of their body weight. ^[2] So it has proven to be effective for a sizable portion of people that take it.

How to take Contrave pills

Read the instructions that come with the medication before you take Contrave. If there’s anything you aren’t sure about, let us know.

• During week one of treatment, take one tablet once a day in the morning.
• During week two, take one tablet twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening
• During week three, take two tablets in the morning and one in the evening.
• From week four onwards, take two tablets in the morning and two in the evening.
• Simply swallow the tablet whole with water, without crushing or breaking them.
• It’s better to take them with or after a meal and not on an empty stomach.
• You’ll normally have your weight monitored as the course progresses to make sure it’s working for you.

What should I do if I forget to take Contrave?

If you forget your Contrave dose, don’t worry – just take your next dose as normal and continue the course. Don’t take double the amount at your next dose, because this won’t have any benefit and increases the risk of side effects.

If you’re having trouble remembering to take the medication, you might find it useful to set a daily reminder to take it at specific times, or take it with a specific meal each day.

What should I do if I take too much Contrave?

If you’ve taken too much Contrave, you should seek immediate medical attention. Go to your nearest hospital and take your Contrave packaging with you if possible.

Taking the tablets at the same time each day can help you to remember when to take your tablet and prevent you from taking too much by accident.