Contrave® (naltrexone HCl / bupropion HCl)— For Weight Loss

Stimulant-Free Chronic Weight Loss Treatment

Contrave® is an FDA-approved, prescription weight-loss medication designed for long-term weight management in adults. It combines two well-known medications into a single, extended-release tablet that targets two key areas of the brain—the hypothalamus (hunger center) and the mesolimbic dopamine circuit (reward system)—to reduce your overall appetite and control intense food cravings. 


Unlike short-term options, Contrave does not rely on traditional stimulants. Its unique dual-action formula helps patients lose weight and keep it off by changing how the brain responds to hunger cues and the emotional desire for sweets, fats, or savory snacks.

Explore Contrave For Weight Loss

About Contrave

Dual-action, stimulant-free craving control designed to help you lose weight and keep it off for good

To allow your body to adapt and to minimize potential side effects (such as mild nausea), Contrave follows a strict four-week escalation schedule to reach its full maintenance dose:

  • Week 1: One tablet daily in the morning.
  • Week 2: One tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening.
  • Week 3: Two tablets in the morning and one tablet in the evening.
  • Week 4 & Beyond (Maintenance Dose): Two tablets twice daily (Two in the morning, two in the evening).
  • Administration Rules: Tablets must be swallowed whole. Do not cut, crush, chew, or split Contrave tablets, as doing so destroys the extended-release safety mechanism.
  • Meal Restrictions: Do not take Contrave with high-fat meals, as this significantly increases the absorption rate and elevates the risk of seizures.
  • Age Limits: Approved for adult use only (18 years of age and older).

Most side effects are mild to moderate and typically resolve over time as you progress through the initial dosing schedule:

  • Gastrointestinal: Nausea (the most frequent side effect, usually manageable via the escalation schedule), constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, and dry mouth.
  • Neurological: Headache, dizziness, mild tremors, and altered taste.
  • Sleep & Mood: Insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and hot flashes.

  • Pregnancy and Nursing Risk: Contrave is contraindicated in pregnancy and nursing mothers. 
  • Boxed Warning: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: Contrave contains bupropion, an antidepressant. Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults. Monitor closely for depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in behavior. Contrave is not approved for use in pediatric patients.
  • Contraindications & Warnings: Do not take Contrave if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; a history of seizures or an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia); are undergoing abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, or sedatives; are pregnant; or have used an MAOI within 14 days. Avoid using other bupropion-containing medications or chronic opioids simultaneously, as Contrave blocks opioid effectiveness. Rare risks include severe liver damage, allergic reactions, visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma), and manic episodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at support@ivitalitycenter.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Contrave is approved for long-term (chronic) weight management and can be taken indefinitely, as long as it remains safe and effective for your body.Unlike short-term weight-loss stimulants that are limited to 12 weeks of use, Contrave is designed for long-term lifestyle support to help you keep weight off over time.However, your healthcare provider will use a specific timeline to evaluate if you should continue taking it:

  • The 16-Week Evaluation: After taking the full maintenance dose for 16 weeks, your provider will check your progress.
  • The 5% Milestone: If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting body weight by week 16, it means your body's biology is not responding effectively to the medication.
  • Next Steps: If you haven't hit that 5% mark, your doctor will likely guide you through a safe step-down tapering schedule to stop Contrave and transition you to a different treatment. If you have met this goal and aren't experiencing troublesome side effects, you can continue taking Contrave long-term.

Because Contrave contains bupropion, you must consult your healthcare provider before stopping treatment.

  • The Risk of Abrupt Discontinuation: Stopping Contrave suddenly can cause mild discontinuation symptoms, including vivid dreams, irritability, and temporary mood changes. If you are also using certain other long-term medications, a sudden stop requires careful evaluation.
  • The Safe Discontinuation Process: Your provider will evaluate if you can safely discontinue the medication or if a short, step-down tapering schedule is preferred for your body. If you have not lost at least 5% of your baseline body weight after 16 weeks on the maximum maintenance dose, therapy is generally discontinued as it may not be effective for your biology.

Contrave is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy and should not be used if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

  • Risk of Fetal Harm: Weight loss offers no potential metabolic benefit to a pregnant woman and may cause harm to the developing fetus.
  • Action Required: If you discover you are pregnant or suspect you might be while taking Contrave, stop the medication immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
  • Contraception Guidance: Women of childbearing potential should use highly effective methods of birth control throughout the duration of their Contrave therapy.
  • Nursing Mothers: Contrave is not recommended for individuals who are breastfeeding. Both naltrexone and bupropion are excreted in human milk and can pass to the nursing infant.

No, Contrave is not a controlled substance and does not carry the same federal prescribing restrictions as stimulant-based alternatives.

No, Contrave tablets cannot be split. They are extended-release tablets and must be swallowed completely whole.

Alcohol consumption should be minimized or completely avoided, as combining Contrave with alcohol increases central nervous system side effects and toxicity risks.