Bupropion Naltrexone

Drug Index

Naltrexone/bupropion, sold under the brand name Contrave among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication for the management of chronic obesity in adults in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.[1][3] It contains naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, and bupropion, an aminoketone antidepressant.[1] It is taken by mouth.[1] Both medications have individually shown some evidence of effectiveness i...

I was prescribed Contrave for weight loss. I also have a injury to my right upper arm and shoulder that has made me unable to move my my arm more than 6 inches forward, backwards and out to the side without causing horrible pain. My doctor prescribed Tramadol and occasionally Vicodin for pain relief. Fast forward 5 yrs. Opiod crisis. Doctor stops my prescription. Go thru withdraw and Pain is none stop. Enter Contrave...with it's LDN (low dose naltrexone & bupropion) Within a week the pain is subsiding. On week 4 it's gone! No more pain..I can move my arm as if it had never been injured. I read about LDN (opiod antagonist used to treat opiod addicts by stopping the effects of opiods...and yet it also seems to relieve some kinds of pain like migraines and fibromyalgia). I am w...

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I started on bupropion xl 150 mg, taking it to help with my libido ( 50+ years old going through menopause) and weight loss. Libido was great and lost a few pounds first week then nothing. Dr increased to 300 mg... I have been taking for 4 weeks, no weight loss and no libido.... I know this med can take awhile to work... any thoughts, will it begin to work soon? Anyone experience same thing? ## That's rather odd, while the FDA does list it as not being known to decrease libido, it is also not known to increase it in most people that take it. It is also not usually used, by itself to aid in weight loss, it is usually accompanied with Naltrexone. The FDA warns that this combination, known as Contrave, may cause headache, nervousness, dizziness, and anorexia. Did your doctor try you on...

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Bupropion Hydrochloride + Naltrexone Hydrochloride

Naltrexone/bupropion, sold under the brand name Contrave among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication for the management of chronic obesity in adults in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.[1][3] It contains naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, and bupropion, an aminoketone antidepressant.[1] It is taken by mouth.[1] Both medications have individually shown some evidence of effectiveness i...

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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What can you take for migraines when u are taking Contrave? Can I take Fiorinal / Codeine? ## No, these medications should not be taken together, since the Naltrexone in the Contrave will neutralize the Codeine and the Caffeine could increase the toxicity of the Bupropion, according to NIH warnings. Have you consulted your doctor for any recommendations to treat or prevent your migraines? Are you on any other medications?

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Can I still take Trazodone at night when I take Contrave? I have insomnia and can’t sleep without Trazodone. ## Combining the two medications can create a risk of your experiencing potentially dangerous seizures, because the Bupropion doesn't play nice with the Trazodone, and combining the Trazodone with the Naltrexone increasedsyour risk of experiencing liver damage. You can use this interaction checker, and others that are available to read more details. What has your doctor advised? You may need to take a very low dose of the Contrave, or try a different medication for insomnia.

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My doctor believes there will not be a problem using these 2 together; perhaps it just diminished ultram's effect only. Has anyone ever taken the two together and can assure me that might be the only effect? ## Hello, Brenda! How are you? The Bupropion in the Contrave can increase the effect of Tramadol, while the Naltrexone can decrease it, but those are the only issues listed by the FDA between these medications. The FDA classifies Tramadol as an opioid and warns that it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation. Contrave may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, nervousness and anorexia. Can anyone that's taken them together chime in with their experience? ## Thank you sooo much...

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How do you stop Contrave when you are at your goal weight? Do you go down in dosage or stop cold turkey? ## Follow the titration schedule in reverse. Just as you had to gradually increase the dosage you must gradually decrease it. ## At first I didn't realize that Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone) carried the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms associated with an abrupt cessation of treatment; similar to opioids, benzodiazepines, SSRI's, etc... Although with bupropion being an antidepressant I could certainly see how starting and stopping it might negatively impact the brain's chemical balance. But when it comes to naltrexone being an opioid antagonist (blocking the opioid receptors / endorphins) I had initially gotten the sense that discontinuing naltrexone under a cold turke...

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I am on Vicodin for nerve pain in my neck. Dr prescribed Contrave, I asked if it was okay to take both, she said yes. I took 1 Contrave and had horrible depression/anxiety/nausea/dizziness and panic attacks. It has been 5 days and I still don't feel right. When will it leave my system? ## The Contrave contains Bupropion and Naltrexone, the latter of which neutralizes opiates and may throw you into precipitated withdrawal. Those symptoms can include what you've described, as well as fever, chills, and diarrhea. Is there anything else I can help with?

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What pain medications are safe to take on Contrave? I have been taking Tylenol arthritis and glucosamine daily and am now starting the 2 and 2 this week. Also large hard to pass stools, so I'm taking laxatives as well, but don't want to harm my liver. I feel great on Contrave. I was on Adipex and all it did was make my mouth very dry and make me agitated. ## Hello, Lisa! How are you? Contrave contains Bupropion and Naltrexone, the latter of which neutralizes opiates, such as Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone. So, you can take Tylenol with it, unless your doctor instructs you not to do so. Glucosamine is considered to be a supplement, so any possible interactions between it, and most medications, have not been studied extensively. Is your doctor aware that you are taking it? Whether or ...

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I took 2 pills this morning. I set out my 2 pills for the afternoon, got distracted, forgot I took the morning set and took the afternoon set. 4 pills at one time, what is my risk? ## Hi Renee, According to nih.gov, the following symptoms are reportedly associated with an overdose of Bupropion (one of the two active ingredients in Contrave): - Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting - Loss of consciousness - Slow or irregular heartbeat - Unusual tiredness If you notice any of those symptoms, they suggest seeking emergency medical assistance immediately. As far as Naltrexone is concerned, there are reports by medlineplus.gov stating that it may cause liver damage when taken in large doses. They further note that in case of an overdose, you should call your local poison control center at ...

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I've been on Contrave about a mouth twice daily (when I remember to take them) I forgot I wasn't supposed to and took one Percocet pill a short time ago for bad tooth ache. What can I expect to experience for side effects. I'm quite panicked right now ## There is no reason to panic, if you didn't suffer any adverse effects while taking it, then you should be fine. The main issue is that the Naltrexone can neutralize the Oxycodone in the Percocet, while the Bupropion tends to increase its effectiveness. Thus, if the Percocet helped you, then there should be nothing to worry about. However, it would be best to inform your healthcare provider, just in case. The FDA classifies Percocet as a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side ef...

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I want to know about whether or not people experience appetite control? Everyone just keeps saying they lost a couple of pounds or they didn't. But I want to know did you have a decreased appetite? Did you see that piece of cake sitting there and able to say no thanks or just grab it and dig in... Did it help you feel less cravings or not? ## According to MedlinePlus.gov, "Naltrexone works by decreasing the craving for alcohol and blocking the effects of opiate medications and opioid street drugs" - "Bupropion works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain"... These are the two active ingredients present in Contrave. The drug monographs do not give any consideration to the idea of appetite control. However, my opinion is, one's own unique level of wil...

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I need to reduce my intake of Contrave because of side affects. I'm cutting back from 4 pills to 3. How long does it take for Contrave to reduce in my system so that I don't have the severe symptoms? ## Hello, Penni! How are you feeling? Has there been any improvement, yet? What side effects have you been experiencing? When it comes to this medication, it depends on which ingredient is causing the symptoms. The Naltrexone in it only takes about a day, but the Bupropion may take about a week, based on the FDA listed half-lives. ## I saw my doctor yesterday. We have reduced my dosage to 2 pills a day to see if that helps. If not than next week I'll go down to 1 a day. My worst symptoms out of several are hot flashes & nausea. ## I've only been taking contrave for a wee...

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I just started Contrave last Friday. I have really had no side effects, but because I have a narrowed esophagus, I have trouble swallowing the pill (it gets stuck). I cut the pills in half and take both halves at the same time and this makes it easier for me to get them down. My question - is this messing with the efficacy of the medicine? ## You should not split the pills. They are an extended release tablet. This is copied from the Contrave literature: Extended-Release Tablets: 8 mg naltrexone HCl /90 mg bupropion HCl CONTRAVE should be taken by mouth in the morning and in the evening. The tablets should not be cut, chewed, or crushed. Total daily doses greater than 32 mg/360 mg per day (two tablets twice daily) are not recommended. In clinical trials, CONTRAVE was administered with m...

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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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Wondering if anyone is taking Contrive and Effexor? My plan is to start Contrive and slowly get off of Effexor. Wondering if anyone has done this and what kind of experience you have had? ## I haven't actually taken either of these meds, but seeing as no one else responded yet, I thought I'd take a stab at it in hopes of stimulating some additional feedback. First off, from a search engine perspective, a drug by the name of "Contrive" doesn't appear to exist. You may have been thinking of "Contrave" with an A, which reportedly contains naltrexone + bupropion. Second, if you're switching between antidepressants like bupropion and Effexor (venlafaxine), and know that there may be a time period when you're on both at once, I think it would be wise to spe...

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Second night I got a really bad headache, it could have been from sugar withdrawal. Headache lasted through day three. I did not take contravene on day three, scared of another headache. My question is will headaches get better/worse? Should I give it another go? ## It seems like my headaches got less severe and less frequent after a few weeks. I recently stopped taking it bc I didn't think it was really helping that much but it was lol. I figured that out after I stopped it. So I'm on day 2 again now and I'm having really bad headaches again too. I feel your pain! ## According to NIH.gov, you should talk with your doctor if you experience headaches while taking naltrexone or bupropion (the two active ingredients in Contrave). REF: 1. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT001132...

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I just start taking Contrave. I am on day 5 with one pill in the morning and haven't been sleeping much at all. Scared to take two pills a day. Any suggestions on what will help? Don't want to stop taking it because I can tell my cravings are more controlled. I already take a Melatonin a night. I also drank some sleepy time tea last night. Will this go away? ## Hi Ann, Sorry to hear about your challenges with insomnia. According to NIH.gov, a "sudden increase in energy, racing thoughts or trouble sleeping" is listed as a side effect of Bupropion (one of the active ingredients in Contrave). Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0009361 They also list, "trouble sleeping or a big increase in energy" as a side effect of Naltrexone (the other active ingredient in ...

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