💊 What Is Contrave? (FDA-Approved Weight Loss Medication)
In September 2014, the FDA approved Contrave®, a prescription medication designed for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese.
Contrave is a combination medication that includes:
- Naltrexone – an opioid antagonist used in addiction treatment
- Bupropion – an antidepressant also used for smoking cessation
👉 Together, they help regulate appetite and reduce cravings, making weight loss more achievable when combined with diet and exercise.
⚖️ Who Is Contrave For?
Contrave may be prescribed for adults who meet the following criteria:
- BMI ≥ 30 (obesity), OR
- BMI ≥ 27 (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
🧠 How Does Contrave Work?
Contrave works on two key areas of the brain:
1. 🧩 Hypothalamus (Hunger Center)
- Helps reduce appetite
- Improves portion control
2. 🎯 Reward System
- Reduces food cravings
- Helps control emotional or stress eating
👉 This dual-action mechanism makes Contrave especially useful for patients who struggle with:
- Frequent cravings
- Emotional eating
- Difficulty controlling portions
📊 How Effective Is Contrave?
- Some patients notice changes within 4 weeks
- Full effectiveness is typically evaluated at 12 weeks
- Designed for long-term weight management
👉 Best results occur when combined with:
- Lifestyle changes
- Nutritional counseling
- Physician supervision
💊 Dosage & Administration
Contrave is an extended-release tablet.
📅 Titration Schedule:
- Gradually increased over 4 weeks
- Starting dose: 1 tablet daily
- Maximum dose: 2 tablets twice daily
⚠️ Important Instructions:
- Swallow tablets whole (do NOT crush or chew)
- Avoid taking with high-fat meals (increases seizure risk)
⚠️ Side Effects of Contrave
Common Side Effects:
- Nausea (most common)
- Constipation
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
🚨 Serious Risks:
- Increased blood pressure
- Seizures (especially at high doses)
- Liver problems
- Mood changes (depression, suicidal thoughts)
👉 Patients should be closely monitored by a physician.
❌ Who Should NOT Take Contrave?
Contrave is not recommended if you:
- Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Have a history of seizures
- Are taking other medications containing bupropion
- Are currently using opioids
👉 You must stop opioids before starting Contrave
📍 Where to Get Contrave in NYC
If you are looking for experienced doctors prescribing Contrave in New York City, W8MD offers:
- Physician-supervised weight loss programs
- Insurance-friendly visits
- Personalized treatment plans
🏥 W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & Medspa – NYC
We serve patients across:
- Brooklyn weight loss
- Manhattan weight loss
- Queens weight loss
- Bronx weight loss
- Staten Island weight loss
- Long Island weight loss
📞 Contact W8MD NYC
📍 W8MD’s Brooklyn medical weight loss location
2632 E 21st Street, Suite L2
Brooklyn, NY
📞 Call: (718) 946-5500
👉 Schedule your consultation today to see if Contrave is right for you
🔄 Part of a Comprehensive Weight Loss Program in NYC
At W8MD, Contrave is often combined with:
- Nutritional counseling
- Lifestyle coaching
- Other medications (if needed)
👉 For better, long-term results
🚀 Other Weight Loss Options Available at W8MD
In addition to Contrave, we offer:
- GLP-1 medications (Semaglutide, Tirzepatide)
- Phentermine & Qsymia®
- VLCD diet programs
- Telehealth weight loss services
Ph: 1-718-946-5500.
Related links
New weight loss drug Contrave FDA approved
Weight loss team NYC