Contrave Forums

I am just starting Contrave but have been on a keto diet for the last few months & feel good on it, but nothing for weight loss. Has anyone had any experience with Keto & Contrave? I know one of the warnings is not to take it with a fatty meal, but is it ok to have high fat in between doses? ## From what I've been reading it is best, overall, to stick with a low-fat diet while taking Contrave, the reason for this is due to the fact that a high fat content can actually cause your body to absorb more of the active ingredients than you should, which may lead to problems, such as more severe side effects, and possibly an overdose. Ref: Contrave Details Other common side effects may include nausea, dizziness, headache, and mood changes. Are you on any other medications?

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I took Contrave and lost 52 pounds in 10 months, which has put me back to my ideal body weight. The problem is that it has not been working after that 10 months. I don’t have any side effects, but have a ridiculous appetite now. Almost to the point of wanting to binge eat. Anybody else been on it a while and have it stop working? I’ve gained almost 10 pounds back in the last few months. I’m not sure whether to ask my doctor about stopping it, but I’m afraid my appetite will be even worse. Anybody? ## I had the same problem. I was starving hungry and wanted to eat and eat. Weirdest thing was that I felt constantly hungry even after a week? ## You are not the only people who have experienced such issues. Most people who have tried it have reported eventually hittin...

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Has anyone else had problems with severe water retention after taking Contrave? Mine started day two. I already take a mild water pill but it hasn't touched the swelling. I do not have ankles any longer, they are now "cankles". ## Hello, Janie! How are you? Yes, though it is rare, the Bupropion in Contrave has been known to cause edema in some people that take it. Have you informed your doctor? You may need a stronger diuretic or a switch to a different medication. The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, insomnia and nervousness. ## I am on my 2nd week of Contrave and noticed that my ankles and feet are swollen. Has this happened to anyone else? ## I am in my 2nd week and have the same problem. Did you continue to use it and ...

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I'm on my 4th week (2 pills each am & pm) of Contrave and I find my hands shaking when i'm holding something and my heart rate is way up. Anyone else go through this? Also, is it safe to stop Contrave all at once or should you gradually go down the same as it was started. ## Yes.. I have been on Contrave for about 5 months and I actually had a different symptom…I was having Phantosmia (Phantom Smells) like I smell smoke when there is none. It has been bothersome… but then I also started feeling shaky and even noticed a true tremor in my right ring finger. I started freaking out because I looked all over the Contrave sight and didn't see this as a side effect. If you look up those two symptoms its points to brain tumor or Parkinsons! I went to my Doc who presc...

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I started contrave 4 days ago, today being my 5th dose. every day, i take the pill about 8am and by 9:30-10am I am so sleepy I can't stand it. Days 1 and 2 I managed to fight it off until about 12-12:30, day 3 until about 1-1:30, and day 4 I fought it off until 3pm. If I take a 1-2 hour nap, I wake up fine, with energy and then cannot get to sleep until about 2am, sometimes 3am. Today is day 5, I'm having that "drunk" feeling and sleepy, but no where near how it has been. It seems this effect is slowly wearing off, but I haven't seen anywhere where this is a common side effect. I know all medications effect everyone differently, so I'm wondering if this is something I should be concerned about, or just another side effect that I will get used to as the weeks go o...

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I have been taking Contrave for three weeks and have developed itching on the insides of my hands and the bottoms of my feet. Has anyone else experienced this? ## Hello, Arlie! How are you? Do you have a rash, or just the itching? Contrave has been known to cause a rash as a side effect, as listed by the FDA. You may also experience nausea, dizziness, headache and insomnia. Are you on any other medications? The itching could be due to a circulation problem. ## No rash. No other meds. Nothing new besides the Contrave. ## There's a chance that it's affecting your circulation, which can cause itching. Have you had it checked out by your doctor, yet? Has it improved, at all? ## I have cut the dosage in half (one pill in the morning and one in the evening) and no longer have the itch...

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I've been taking contrave for 3 weeks now and certainly have a decreased appetite. I'm having issues with constipation and a stomach ache in the middle of the night tho. What time is the second dose recommended? Perhaps evening rather than close to bedtime? I also get very tired after lunch and am wondering if changing my diet would help? Any suggestions? Finally, I used to have a few glasses of wine on the weekends and have a cigarette or two (yes I'm one of those smokers). However, I've lost both a taste for wine and definitely smoking since the first week. That can only be a good thing. Please share your thoughts. ## The listed FDA directions only say it should be taken in the evening, so I think adjusting it should be fine, unless your doctor has told you not to do s...

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How long after taking Contrave can I have a coffee? I usually drink one as soon as I get up and one more in a day. It says avoid significant amounts of caffeine, but what does this mean exactly? ## It is always best to double check with your doctor, or pharmacist, but generally two cups of regular coffee would not be considered a significant amount of caffeine. Significant amounts would be akin to drinking quite a few cups, emptying the coffee pot, drinking energy drinks, and caffeinated sodas, in addition to your coffee. Contrave contains Bupropion, and Naltrexone, and the Bupropion tends to have a stimulating effect in some people that take it, so side effects may include nausea, dizziness, nervousness, mood changes, irritability, restlessness, and insomnia, which is the reason for th...

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I was taking only 2 contrave pills in the morning for a couple of months. My last dosage was yesterday which was Monday. I'm having cosmetic surgery in two days which is Thursday. Is it safe to have surgery? I wasn't aware of any dangers with Contrave & surgery. I wasn't on this medication when I initially had my consult. Please help.. I'm worried. ## Has your surgeon provided any instructions regarding medications you should not take, before your surgery? Due to the Naltrexone in Contrave, some pain medications may not work for you, it usually takes about 3 days, after stopping the medication, for them to work, again. The FDA warns that this medication may cause other side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, mood changes, and anorexia. ## Hello! To be hone...

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I have never had Kratom before, but plan to go to the Kava bar for New Years. Will it hurt me since I’ve been taking Contrave for six days now? ## I wouldn't take any chances. ## Kratom is in the Coffee Familiy, and has been used for CENTURIES by indigenous Peoples. It tastes bad, but NO ONE has over overdosed, or died from it. The stuff sold in head shops is usually garbage. I tried a couple of different strains, and it litterally did nothing to me. My Brother-in-Law is an exercise freak, and He swears by Kratom. ## My friend has advised me to try Kava, so I'm currently looking for a good place for it. Any recs, guys? ## Hey there. It's cool that your friend put you onto Kava. It's a pretty chill way to unwind after a long day. I've tried it a few times myself...

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Hello, I am on week 4 of Contrave and have lost 11lbs. Ever since starting this medication my husband says my breath is bad. I drink a lot of water and have mints but this is like coming up from my stomach. Other than that I haven't had bad side effects. I do sweat more at the gym where as before I didn't. But anyone else experience this or have a solution? I'm very diligent about oral hygiene. ## Hello, Ginaye! How are you? I'm not seeing that listed among the side effects, but it can cause some gas and dry mouth, which may be contributing to the problem. Especially, since you said it seems to be coming up from your stomach. Other side effects may include nausea, dizziness, insomnia and anorexia. Has anyone else on Contrave experienced this? ## I am currently on week 5 ...

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I had Dunkin donuts english muffin sandwich with burger king's small hashbrowns and a small sweet tea (dunkin donuts). Contrave says no high fat meals. So is it safe to take my one pill now? Or should I give it an hour, eat a Banana then take it? I definitely don't want to have a seizure! I'm freaking out. ## It's actually hard to say, but yes, there is a risk of them occurring. The higher the dose of Bupropion, the greater the risk of experiencing a seizure.. a high amount of fat may cause your body to retain higher amounts of Bupropion, which in turn, could potentially cause you to experience a seizure, as reported under the FDA provided potential side effects. While it most likely contains sugar, the sweet tea most likely did not contain any fat, unless they did somet...

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I ate a high fat meal (stuffed baked potato) tonight and am wondering when it is safe to take my evening dose of Contrave. All the warnings say is do not take with a high fat meal. Well, how long do you have to wait? There is no information on that! Has anyone heard? ## Hello, MrsMeck! How are you? Have you tried asking your doctor? Unfortunately, I'm only finding the same thing you are, not to take it with a high fat meal, but no specific time frame. Taking it with a high fat meal creates the risk of seizures. Other typical side effects, as listed by the FDA, may possibly include nausea, dizziness, headache, nervousness and anorexia. Does anyone know more? ## I spoke to a consultant at Takeda today and they recommended that I call my dr. But the problem would be that the doctor wou...

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Has anyone suffered from ringing in ears from Contrave? I'm going insane :(. but losing weight :) ## Hello, Jojo! How are you? Yes, tinnitus is among the possible side effects that are listed by the FDA. Other symptoms you may experience could possibly include nausea, dizziness, constipation, headache, upper abdominal pain, irritability, rash and muscle strains. How long have you been taking it? Most side effects are transient and will taper off in severity as your body gets used to the medication and will go away entirely after about 4 to 6 weeks. ## yes - please beware this was one of the most horrible experiences of my life...I started contrave - was on it for about a month and started experiencing ringing in my ears...it became so loud that I couldn't even hear...I immediate...

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I recently took contrave for a year and had wonderful success! I had all the horrible side effects in the beginning and wanted to quit. I talked to my Dr and he lowered my dose and the intolerable side effects went away! I originally lost 65lbs now after stopping it, I've gained back 30 lbs. After a while though I reached a plateau and it stopped working my appetite came back and I started to gain. I've been off contrave for two months and was wondering if I restarted taking it would it begin to work once more? I guess my question is how long do I have to be off of it for it to be out of my system so that I can start fresh again? ## Most people do report hitting a plateau point, after being on it for awhile, and it usually takes a few months for it to start working, again. I...

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I have had M.E. for the past 17 years. Although only 52 years old, the price of being bedridden (or the disease or meds) has caused me to gain 150 pounds. My hips are very painful from the weight and/or the disease. My doctor knows nothing about Contrave & isn't interested. I'm so afraid of the long term results of me not standing up, walking or sitting. I know losing that 150 lbs would ease the pain when attempting to sit, stand & walk. Is there a doctor I can discuss this with? ## What type of doctor are you seeing? It may be a good idea for you to consult a specialist, as they generally have a better idea of what medications you can take, and what might help with your weight issue. It's hard to say what caused the weight gain, most likely it was due to a combo of ...

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I have been on Contrave for 3 weeks. Since I have been on it from day one I have been extremely hungry. I want to eat everything. I am starting to have pain in the joints of my hand. I have gained weight being on this drug. I am writing this so that others will know if they are experiencing the same thing this drug is too expensive not to work. I paid 339.00 for this drug to help me lose weight and so far I have not seen any improvement. ## Unfortunately, no medication can be guaranteed to work, regardless of its price tag. Additionally, some medications have been known to cause the opposite of their desired effects in some people that try them. However, the increased appetite, and weight gain are not typical side effects, according to FDA reports. Typical side effects usually include n...

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I've been on Vicodin for years due to chronic pain. My Doc prescribed this for me and said it was ok to take together, but I'm not so sure - Any thoughts? ## Naltrexone can decrease the levels of Hydrocodone, since it blocks opiate receptors, while Bupropion increases the effect of it. But, it's likely that the Contrave will actually cancel out the Vicodin, making it ineffective for you. You may need to see your doctor and try something other than the Contrave, if you require opiate pain medications. The FDA has approved Contrave to aid in weight loss and its typical side effects may possibly include nausea, dizziness, anorexia, nervousness and insomnia. Vicodin is classifies as a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, suc...

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Has any of you experienced this? I took my first and last pill of contrave last Thursday and shortly afterwards experienced extreme anxiety, dizziness and later diarrhea. The following day I got a very bad headache. I then thought it was over because the drug must definitely be out of my system. But no, I woke up today 5 days after taking the feeling dizzy and had another episode of diarrhea. I had barely eaten anything these past 5 days. I have no appetite whatsoever. Is it possible this is still the drug? I was feeling fine until I took it. ## Monica, I am sorry to hear that you have not been feeling well. Here is a list of reported side effects caused by Contrave - nausea, - headache, - vomiting, - constipation, - diarrhea, - dizziness, - trouble sleeping (insomnia), - dry mouth, - a...

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I started today with my first dose of contrave, 1 pill in the AM. I also take suboxone 8mg (4 1 time a day). My doctor stated that the interaction of the two should be minimal..yeah NO! I got diarrhea, hot flashes, chills, body aches, and pretty much every withdrawal symptom known to man. I now dont want to take the contrave because I am not ready to stop the suboxone. Should I just stop the contrave and continue the sub? Or how should I go about this? ## Hello, Kiat! How are you? I'm very sorry about what happened. Yes, the Naltrexone in Contrave can cause you to go into withdrawal from any opiate, as listed by the FDA, and you were doubling it up with the Naloxone in the Suboxone that does that same thing. As to how to continue, it usually takes about 3 days, before you can safely...

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