Side Effects Of Contrave (Top voted first)

I'm on my third day. Today I have a severe headache. But my question is this, has anyone had bad diarrhea? I get cramps, then bam. But I was feeling better by night. Today is the worst. Should I continue or stop?

REPLY

REPORT

Last week I started my 4th week of Contrave, 2 pills in the am and 2 pills in the pm. Since I was eager to start the weight loss journey, I dismissed some of the symptoms that I was having in starting to take the pill from the beginning because I had just wanted it to work so bad. I started out with bouts of major insomnia. I wouldn't fall asleep until 4 in the morning, and even then I wasn't tired. I literally had to force myself to sleep. Of course I suffered at work, having to get ready by 6:45am, and dealing with only 2 1/2 hours of sleep at work. I also have a history of headaches, however, when I got both of my Daiths pierced, my headaches became non existent, with only 1 headache a month during my menstrual cycle. Upon starting Contrave, I was back to getting regular headaches that never really went away with Tylenol or Aleve. And the headache pain was much different. It was more of a sharp, intolerable pain in my right temple. Another week goes by at the next increased dose and I started to feel somewhat lightheaded, with what I would say was a "dizzy feeling in the eyes" (not a dizziness where I lose balance or experience vertigo). So within 2 weeks of taking the drug, I was having insomnia, 3-4 painful headaches within those weeks, and dizziness. I soon started to get hot flashes on top of these symptoms. By the 4th week at the max dose something very strange started to happen. I began getting involuntary contractions of my sphincter as well as involuntary kegel contractions. This was terribly uncomfortable as it caused my legs to be restless, as I had to be in constant motion so that I did not feel the discomfort of these ongoing contractions.

They were not painful, but were just very disturbing and uncomfortable. My headaches were increasing, and my blood pressure started to rise by the 4th week, and then I started to develop chest pain and dyspnea, almost like I was having a panic attack, however, I was not feeling anxious. Last night was the worst I have ever felt on this medication. I almost went to the Emergency Department because my chest started to tighten, I became somewhat dizzy, very short of breath and my sphincter and kegel contractions were out of control. At one point I did feel like I was going to die because I was so uncomfortable. I of course needed to lay down, and of course was up and unable to fall asleep until 3-4am. I did not take my evening 2 pill dose because I felt so terrible. I contacted my doctor this morning and informed her of how bad I had been feeling and if it was ok to stop the medication cold turkey. I informed her that my last BP reading was 140/98, which is pretty high for me. She stated that if I continued to have chest pain and a BP that increases to 160 over a high diastolic number today, to go the ED. Thankfully, I have not had any chest pain today. She said because of these side effects, then I could just stop the pills. There have been cases of ischemic heart issues with this drug, so I would be cautious and listen to your body. I am medication sensitive to many drugs, so for those who have the same issues, please beware. Needless to say, I will never attempt to take this drug again. Good luck to those who will start and have success.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Hello, Shercon! How are you doing? I'm very sorry about the way you're feeling.

Those can be normal side effects of Contrave and it may take about a month for them to wear off, as your body gets used to the medication. Other side effects, as listed by the FDA, may possibly include dry mouth, dizziness and nausea.

Have you consulted your doctor? Unless they feel there is some reason to be concerned, you should most likely continue taking it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I'm on Contrave and the stomach discomfort wore off, very mild headache left too- by week 4. No issues now!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Aleshia (# 12)

Hello my name is Isabella I’ve been taking contrave. I’m still on my first bottle of Contrave. I’ve been having really bad joint pain too. The pain is almost mimicking rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Are you experiencing the same thing?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Verwon -- are you taking Contrave?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been on Contrave for 8 days. I haven't felt right since I started and then it got worse when I started the 2 pills in the am & 1 in the evening. I didn't take the evening one last night as I don't plan on taking any today. I'm done with this stuff. How long till it's out of my system? Thanks for your help.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking Contrave for 3 weeks. A day after I started 2 pills in the morning and 1 pill at night, my back began to hurt. 2 days later I was stuck in bed. My back has continued to hurt and my left hip is stiff and will not move. I have pain, numbness and a burning feeling down into the front of my thigh along with a big bruise. I am not positive it is Contrave but I cut down to 1 pill a day and the pain has not went away. Any advice? Possible side-effect list below:

-Severe headache but was starting to let up
-Pain in lower back
-Tightness in thigh
-Burning
-Thigh is sore to the touch
-Sharp shooting pain
-Dull aches
-Pain in hip that travels down to front thigh
-Bruise on thigh but don't know where it came from
-Pain is incapacitating, sitting or standing
-Pain is less when laying down if leg is elevated but still hurts.
-Numbness and tingling in front thigh

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

This is the end of July and I have been taking contrave since march. I lost over 30 pounds so far and am very happy. However, I have a very strong odor in my urine and wondered if it's part of the side effects or if I should check with my dr.?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm only on day 2 of contrave and I already notice an odor too.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking contrave for two weeks and for the past 4 days my head has been hurting, with a pressure-like feeling behind my eyes. And now I'm having double vision. Any suggestions?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking contrave since July 21st and have lost about 20lbs and have had no side effects until a few days ago. I've started having some weird eye pain, blurry vision, and the need to feel like I need to roll my eyes or something like that. I can't really describe it but it's weird. I do not want to sacrifice my vision for weight loss. Help!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Has anyone else had the runs and stomach cramps from Contrave when they first started? I was prescribed two pills twice a day. I took only two yesterday and two today, but have had runs both days. How long do the stomach issues last?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have only been on Contrave for 3 days and experienced really bad body chills. I’m so cold all the time. Also my joints hurt really bad.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Rena (# 4)

My doctor had me cut back on the dosage, but the side effects still were there. I stopped totally. I did try again a few months later, but same thing. I will not be trying this stuff again.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

It seems that since I've been on Contrave I will sometimes halt my words and seem to have trouble (like trying to stutter). Is this possibly the Contrave?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm on my 3rd week of Contrave. I've been taking 2 pills in the AM and 1 at night for 6 days. Sweating and tremors are my reason to stop. Can I cut down to 1 in the AM and 1 in the PM? I had the excess sweating but not the tremors on that regiment.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Been on contrave since July. When I got to week 3 (taking 2 am / 1 pm) I started getting nauseous. So my doctor said to go back to 1 and 1 for 1 to 2 weeks which i did. Then went back to 2 and 1 and I was fine. I've been on 2 and 2 now for 2 weeks and I'm getting nauseous again. Not everyday but when I get it I can't do anything but lay on the couch with water and crackers. Is this normal to still be getting side effects after 2 months? I know i need to ask my doctor which i will be seeing in 2 weeks... but I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem? I don't want to stop as it's helped me to lose 30lbs...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I’ve been talking Contrave for about 4 1/2 weeks. I had to stop taking it because of the horrible side effects which included - nausea, gas, headache and at week 4 (full dosage). I had a serious allergic skin reaction that landed me in the ER. My body was covered in hives and blisters, even with a steroid, the hives kept returning for a few days. While Contrave was helping with cravings and I lost about 5-6 lb. the side effects were not worth it. The pain and hours of lost sleep and productivity were not worth it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My Dr prescribed me contrave due to elevated weight gain and depression. I was dealing with from the loss of my mom. I went from 149 to 214 in 1 year.... To be honest i was hesitant but I felt she had my best interest at heart. Even thought I read negative reviews I gave it a chance for 5 days. I took 1 pill a day...the 6th day I had shortness of breath, my blood pressure was 95/60 to 100/129, my pulse ranged from 53-61. I was nauseous all day and for 4 days I drank only fluids because the thought of food made me sick. I was very scared.

Even after I stopped taking contrave for 6 days I still had the symptoms till finally I woke up with hunger and no nausea....this pill treats many things from recovering addicts to the obese to depression...this pill was not for me!!! At all!!! I literally thought i was gonna die. Afraid to go to sleep. I found myself not breathing as if I had sleep apnea which I never had before. My dr said it was anxiety...and i disagreed. If you're taking it and u feel ok and see results...great. But anyone who has had side effects or haven't seen result after 2 weeks don't take this pill please.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Kat (# 18)

I agree with you this pill was not for me i got extremely sick agter taking it for only 5 days but kept side effect symptoms for 2 weeks i will never approve this pill or tell others to try it

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am on my 4th week of Contrave and just upped my dosage to 2 pills in the morning and 2 at night, but tonight I have ha...

1 REPLY

On day 5 of my first dosage of Contrave, I started with low back/kidney pain. (I already had MOST of the common side eff...

3 REPLIES

I've been taking contrave for about four months, and haven't had any side effects after the first three weeks ex...

1 REPLY

I've been taking Contrave for about 2 1/2 months. During week 6 or so I was hospitalized with a severe UTI and kidne...

2 REPLIES

I've taken Contrave for a week, Can I stop taking it with? Well there be any side effects from stopping with out gra...

13 REPLIES

my baby is going to drink syrup Valparin 200 for 24 months. if any side effects there ? i m afrad and anxious , lack of ...

6 REPLIES

oblong pill with horizontal cut in the middle KU119 ## my blood pressure seem to be dropping 62-67,70 during day and i h...

3 REPLIES

I am considering going on this drug. I am interested in the side effects that people have had on it. Thanks. ## Here'...

3 REPLIES

what would happen if i was out in the sun for a couple of days? whats the side effects to that? ## Doxycycline is an ant...

1 REPLY

I need to know of any side effects that may occur while taking this medication. ## Are there any risks to taking this me...

487 REPLIES