Contrave

Pruritus, Caloric Restriction, Obesity + 8 more

Treatment

7 FDA approvals

6 Active Studies for Contrave

What is Contrave

Naltrexone

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Bupropion, also known as Wellbutrin, is a medication used to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and aid smoking cessation. It works by blocking certain enzymes that absorb certain neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine. This allows these neurotransmitters to stay active in the brain longer and have effects on mood. Bupropion is less likely to cause side effects like sexual dysfunction, sedation, or weight gain compared to other antidepressants. When used to help quit smoking, it has been shown to double abstinence rates compared to placebo. It can also be

Naltrexone Hydrochloride

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Contrave Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Naltrexone Hydrochloride

Naltrexone

1998

59

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Naltrexone, otherwise known as Naltrexone Hydrochloride, is approved by the FDA for 7 uses including Opioid-Related Disorders and Alcohol Dependency .

Opioid-Related Disorders

Helps manage Opioid Dependence

Alcohol Dependency

Helps manage Alcohol Dependency

Opioid Dependence

Helps manage Opioid Dependence

Therapeutic procedure

Used to treat inadequate alternative treatment options in combination with Morphine

Alcoholism

Helps manage Alcohol Dependency

Pain

Used to treat Severe Pain in combination with Morphine

Opiate Substitution Treatment

Used to treat requiring long-term opioid treatment in combination with Morphine

Effectiveness

How Contrave Affects Patients

Bupropion is a drug not related to other antidepressant medications. It works by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine, which help improve mood. It also has some stimulant-like effects in animals. However, it has an abuse potential and can lower the seizure threshold, so it should not be taken by people with pre-existing seizure conditions. Taking bupropion can also raise blood pressure, but studies have not found an increase in stroke or heart attack risk in people using it.

How Contrave works in the body

Bupropion is a drug that works by preventing the reabsorption of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. This extends their effects, which can help treat depression, stop smoking, and aid in weight loss. Bupropion is different from other anti-depressants as it does not affect serotonin levels, so it is less likely to cause side effects like weight gain and sedation. When used to help stop smoking, bupropion works by blocking nicotine receptors in the brain and mimicking nicotine's stimulating effects. When taken with naltrexone for weight loss, bupropion boosts certain areas of the brain involved

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dosage of Contrave is contingent upon the diagnosed state, including Depressive Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Disease. The measure also differs as per the technique of delivery (e.g. Tablet, extended release or Tablet, film coated, extended release) featured in the table under.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Comorbidity

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Chronic Weight Management therapy

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Pruritus

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Opioid-Related Disorders

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Caloric Restriction

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Increased physical activity levels

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Obesity

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Pain

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Alcoholism

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Opiate Substitution Treatment

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Therapeutic procedure

, 50.0 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 2.4 mg, 3.2 mg, 8.0 mg, 4.8 mg, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg, 9.6 mg, 380.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 380.0 mg/mL, 90.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Subcutaneous, Implant, Implant - Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Kit - Intramuscular

Warnings

Contrave Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Withdrawal syndrome

Do Not Combine

Adrenal gland hypofunction

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Contrave.

Common Contrave Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Eluxadoline

Major

The risk or severity of constipation can be increased when Naltrexone is combined with Eluxadoline.

Methylene blue

Major

Naltrexone may increase the serotonergic activities of Methylene blue.

Methylnaltrexone

Major

Naltrexone may increase the opioid antagonism activities of Methylnaltrexone.

Mirtazapine

Major

Naltrexone may increase the serotonergic activities of Mirtazapine.

Naloxegol

Major

Naltrexone may increase the opioid antagonism activities of Naloxegol.

Contrave Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Overdosing on Prozac can cause seizures, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, rapid heart rate, and even cardiac arrest.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Contrave Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Contrave?

Currently, 490 active trials are examining the potential of Contrave to reduce symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression and aid Smoking Cessation.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Caloric Restriction

0 Actively Recruiting

Pain

0 Actively Recruiting

Pruritus

0 Actively Recruiting

Comorbidity

0 Actively Recruiting

Chronic Weight Management therapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Increased physical activity levels

0 Actively Recruiting

Opioid-Related Disorders

0 Actively Recruiting

Opiate Substitution Treatment

0 Actively Recruiting

Obesity

0 Actively Recruiting

Therapeutic procedure

0 Actively Recruiting

Alcoholism

7 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3

Contrave Reviews: What are patients saying about Contrave?

5

Patient Review

9/2/2022

Contrave for Weight Loss Management for an Obese Person

The side effects were tough to get through at first, but luckily they only lasted for a few days. After that, I started feeling really good--happier and more energetic. And now, after being on the medication for eight months, my health is better than it's been in years.

5

Patient Review

10/13/2022

Contrave for Weight Loss Management for Overweight Person with BMI 27 to 29 and Weight-Related Comorbidity

I've been on this for two months and it's working great! I've lost 17 pounds, a shirt size, and a pant size. My cravings for alcohol, fast food, and cigarettes are gone. The only downside is headaches but electrolytes help with that. Constipation is another issue but other than that, I'm thrilled with the results.

5

Patient Review

10/23/2022

Contrave for Overweight

I started this treatment in June of last year and I've already lost 55 pounds. It's easy to take, but you need to be willing to walk if you want it to work well. Personally, I made a goal for myself to walk 10,000 steps every day, and that really seemed to help me lose weight quickly and easily.

5

Patient Review

9/29/2022

Contrave for Weight Loss Management for Overweight Person with BMI 27 to 29 and Weight-Related Comorbidity

I've been using Contrave for a little over two years now, and it's helped me lose nearly 30lbs. I highly recommend it to others, especially those who have PCOS like myself. The only side effects I've experienced are nausea and hot flashes, but they haven't been too bad.

5

Patient Review

10/14/2022

Contrave for Overweight

I've successfully lost 20lbs in two months by eating the same foods, but being more mindful of portion control. I only get headaches if I haven't had enough water to drink that day.

4.3

Patient Review

10/26/2022

Contrave for Overweight

I want to address the people who gave this a low rating for ease of use - what exactly are you doing that makes taking a tablet so difficult?Contrave, like everything else, works if you're an adult and take the medication as directed. The side effects go after a few days, you just have to get through it. If you're going to be a baby and find it hard to take the tablet, then stay fat and stop complaining. Change takes effort.

4

Patient Review

10/22/2022

Contrave for Weight Loss Management for an Obese Person

I've been on Contrave for six weeks and I'm down to 239 pounds. Before starting this medication, I was stuck at 290 despite dieting and exercising regularly. I'm hopeful that I'll continue to see results and reach my goal weight of 225 pounds.

2.3

Patient Review

9/27/2022

Contrave for Overweight

I took this medication for 3 days as directed. Unfortunately, I started itching and then broke out in red bumps. These white patches now cover my body and I have skin discoloration all over.

2

Patient Review

9/21/2022

Contrave for Overweight

I was very disappointed with this treatment. I saw no weight loss after using it for three months, despite following the instructions to a T.

2

Patient Review

10/27/2022

Contrave for Weight Loss Management for Overweight Person with BMI 27 to 29 and Weight-Related Comorbidity

I only made it one day on this diet before feeling incredibly sick. I would rather be overweight than deal with those side effects.

1.7

Patient Review

10/16/2022

Contrave for Overweight

The medication helped with food cravings and the urge to snack however once I worked up to more than one pill a day the side effects were unbearable- crippling headaches, to the point where I was unable to work and had to lay down, and horrible nausea. Wish the side effects weren’t so severe.

1.7

Patient Review

9/2/2022

Contrave for Weight Loss Management for an Obese Person

This medication had no effect whatsoever on my appetite or making me feel full after eating. Additionally, I experienced hot flashes and a terrible bitter taste in my mouth. It's unfortunately not worth the $250 monthly price tag.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about contrave

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How quickly does Contrave work?

"After about four weeks of taking Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion), you should start to see its effects. To get the most out of the medication, you should also lower your calorie intake and exercise regularly."

Answered by AI

Is CONTRAVE the same as Wellbutrin?

"The same active ingredient as some other antidepressant medications, Contrave includes bupropion. Antidepressants have been shown to increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials."

Answered by AI

Is Contrave a good weight loss pill?

"Contrave can help people lose a significant amount of weight when it is taken properly and combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Clinical trial data showed that participants in the study lost 5-15% of their body weight while taking Contrave."

Answered by AI

What does Contrave do to your body?

"This medication is a combination of two drugs that work together to control hunger and cravings, helping you to lose weight and keep it off. The two drugs, bupropion HCl and naltrexone HCl, are both safe, with well-established profiles, and have been prescribed by doctors for other conditions for more than 30 years."

Answered by AI

Is Contrave the same as Wellbutrin?

"These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with bupropion.

The medication Contravente contains bupropion, which is also an active ingredient in some other antidepressants, including, but not limited to, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, and Aplenzin. In short-term trials, antidepressants have been shown to increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults. However, these trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with bupropion."

Answered by AI

What does CONTRAVE do to your body?

"Contrave is a combination of bupropion and naltrexone. Bupropion is an antidepressant medicine that can also decrease appetite. Naltrexone is usually given to block the effects of opioids or alcohol in people with addiction problems. Naltrexone may also curb hunger and food cravings."

Answered by AI

How quickly does CONTRAVE work?

"It may take up to four weeks to see the effects of Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion). To achieve the best results, you should lower the calories in your diet and exercise regularly while taking Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion)."

Answered by AI

Is CONTRAVE a good weight loss pill?

"Contrave can help people lose weight, but it needs to be taken properly and combined with other healthy habits like diet and exercise. Data from clinical trials showed that people taking Contrave lost 5-15% of their body weight."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Contrave

Image of Alpha Neuron LLC in Tuscaloosa, United States.

Deep TMS for Alcoholism

18 - 86
All Sexes
Tuscaloosa, AL

The study will compare alcohol use in two groups of subjects. One group will be assigned to the Deep TMS treatment and the other group will be assigned to the sham treatment. This is a prospective, 6-month, double blind, randomized, controlled, multi-center trial in outpatients recruited in both academic and private research centers. The study population will consist of subjects diagnosed with moderate to severe AUD. The study is comprised of three phases: 1. Pre-study Screening and Baseline Phase 2. Acute Treatment Phase and 3. Maintenance Treatment and Follow up Phase Subjects of all ethnic and gender categories, ages ranging between 18-86 years will be screened for study eligibility according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects who meet the eligibility criteria and are willing to sign an informed consent form will be enrolled in the study. The subjects' demographic and baseline characteristics, as well as their overall medical condition will be assessed prior to treatment administration. Eligible patients will be randomized with a 1:1 ratio to one of two study groups (treatment or sham) and stratified by site. Randomization will be employed to avoid bias in the assignment of subjects to treatment group. All subjects will undergo the same treatment regimen, regardless of the assigned treatment group. The acute treatment phase will include 15 treatment visits over a period of 3-5 weeks. The Maintenance Treatment \& Follow-up phase will include one treatment visit per week from the end of the Acute Treatment Phase until the 6 month follow-up visit. At each treatment session, prior to stimulation onset, alcohol related cues will be presented to the subject. After the offset of the alcohol cue presentation, active or sham Deep TMS stimulation will be administered. The study design is directed towards a comparison between active treatment and sham, up to 4 months and 6 months follow-up. Efficacy will be assessed using the primary efficacy measure of the percent heavy drinking days during months 2-4, based on the Time Line Follow Back (TLFB) reporting. Additionally, several subject assessment scales will be used during the course of the study to assess alcohol use and alcohol craving. Safety will be assessed, including monitoring the severity, causality and frequency of all adverse events, vital signs, and physical and neurological examination.

Recruiting
Device

Alpha Neuron LLC (+5 Sites)

Brainsway

Image of Wake Forest University Health Sciences in Winston-Salem, United States.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Alcoholism

21 - 65
All Sexes
Winston-Salem, NC

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over drinking, and negative emotional states. Extensive research has identified the general neural circuitry underlying AUD. There is an exciting opportunity to intervene in AUD using neuromodulation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers a non-invasive method to modulate brain activity, making it a promising tool for investigating, modulating, and potentially treating AUD. However, the precise effects of TMS on neural circuits involved in AUD and the mechanisms underlying these effects must first be understood. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a neuroimaging method that provides direct measurement of brain activity within neural circuits with high temporal resolution. Critically, MEG can measure brain activity in a wide range of frequencies that are consistent with those targeted by TMS. The goal of this proposal is therefore to collect preliminary and feasibility data to support a future NIH grant application that would use MEG to investigate TMS effects in individuals with AUD (iAUD).

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Merideth A Addicott, PhD

Image of Washington State University in Spokane, United States.

Virtual Incentive Treatment for Alcoholism

18+
All Sexes
Spokane, WA

The overall objective of this program of research is to utilize phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a blood-based biomarker that can detect alcohol use for up to 28 days to deliver a feasible telehealth-based 26-week CM intervention. This study will test a telehealth PEth-based CM model in a sample of adults with AUD (n=200), recruited via online platforms by randomizing individuals to six months of 1) an online cognitive behavioral therapy for AUD (CBT4CBT) and telehealth PEth-based CM (CM condition) or 2) CBT4CBT and reinforcers for submitting blood samples (no abstinence required) (control condition). Investigators will assess group differences in PEth-defined abstinence and regular excessive drinking (PEth \>= 200 ng/mL), and alcohol-related harms (e.g., smoking, drug use). This study will address important gaps in CM research by assessing outcomes during a 12-month follow-up, which is much longer than most previous CM studies; using a conceptual model to identify predictors of post-treatment abstinence. Investigators will conduct an economic analysis to place the cost of this model in the context of downstream CM-associated cost-offsets and improvements in personal and public health.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Washington State University

Sean Murphy, PhD

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