Contrave ratings & reviews

Contrave is an oral medication that contains naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride. Naltrexone HCl is an opioid antagonist, while bupropion HCl is an antidepressant that belongs to the aminoketone class. The medication is formulated as a blue, extended-release tablet, with each tablet containing 8 mg of naltrexone HCl and 90 mg of bupropion HCl, and has a trilayer core for controlled release. Some key inactive ingredients include microcrystalline cellulose, lactose anhydrous, and magnesium stearate.

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Do not cut, crush, or chew this medication. Swallow the tablets whole. You can take it with or without food. Do not take with high-fat meals as this may increase your risk of seizures. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, skip it. Take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take extra or 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, pour the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Increase in blood pressure
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Seizures
• Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• An eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Glaucoma
• Head injury
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• History of a tumor or infection of your brain or spine
• History of heart attack or stroke
• History of irregular heartbeat
• History of substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low levels of sodium in the blood
• Mental health condition
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
• Taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days
• An unusual or allergic reaction to bupropion, naltrexone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Breast-feeding
• Pregnant or trying to become pregnant

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Linezolid
• MAOIs, such as Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• Methylene blue
• Opioids, such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone
• Other medications that contain bupropion, such as Zyban or Wellbutrin

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Digoxin
• Disulfiram
• Some blood thinners, such as clopidogrel, ticlopidine, warfarin
• Some medications for depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions
• Some medications for Parkinson disease, such as amantadine or levodopa
• Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
• Theophylline

This medication may affect how other medications work, and other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

This medication may affect blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. This includes sudden changes in mood, behaviors, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose. Call your care team right away if you experience these thoughts or worsening depression.

Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking this medication. Drinking large amounts of alcoholic beverages, using sleeping or anxiety medications, or quickly stopping the use of these agents while taking this medication may increase your risk for a seizure.

Do not drive or use heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you. This medication can impair your ability to perform these tasks.

Inform your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Losing weight while pregnant is not advised and may cause harm to the unborn child. Talk to your care team for more information.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medication may increase thoughts of suicide. This may be more common in children, teenagers, and young adults. The risk may increase after first starting the medication and after dose changes. Talk to your care team right away if you have changes in mood and behavior or thoughts of self-harm or suicide.