Contrave And Alcohol Consumption

I have filled my prescription of Contrive but have not yet started taking it. I read all the possible side effects and am weary about taking in and wanting to continue to socially drink (glass of wine, socially drink on weekends)

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@pnj,

According to umm.edu's drug interaction checker, there ARE potentially dangerous interactions between Contrave and Alcohol. These statements go on to note the following: Consuming alcohol with Bupropion (one of the active ingredients in Contrave) may lead to an increased risk of seizures, decreased tolerance to alcohol, muscle spasms, confusion, and changes in cognitive awareness.

For those reasons mentioned above, I would not encourage anyone to take the two together or even within the same day.

Hope this helps!

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OK, I read the notice about alcohol and contrave too, but I drink almost every day and I'm fine. Just saying.

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Ginny - glad to hear this.

I have twice had alcohol with NO reaction what so ever. Two beers on one occaision and two glasses on wine on the other.

I took Zyban several years ago to help stop smoking and drank while taking it and had NO ill effects..... so I think this is over done.....

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Just started second week of Contrave, so taking one pill in AM & one in PM. During this second week, I've noticed GAS as a side effect. Anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions?

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Unless you plan on drinking A LOT (more than a bottle of wine) don't be concerned. I drink regularly (intermitntly because I am trying to lose weight) and the only time I 've had any effect was after drinking too much, and even then it was fuzziness and a hang over the next day) --- so light or moderate drinking is fine and heavy drinking --- not so much but not good for any one!!!???

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Buproprion aside, the naltrexone is more of a concern with Contrave. Naltrexone is used as a way for many people to quit or reduce alcohol intake.

It is important for people (especially heavy drinkers) to take Contrave at least an hour before drinking, and to avoid drinking if they have forgotten to take Contrave.

I am very familar with both drugs and have taken both.... I do agree with most here, as it relates to bupropion and risks.... it is a little overdone.

The issue with naltrexone is that when not taking Contrave is...dopamine and opiod receptors are very sensitive to alcohol. If someone takes Contrave fairly regularly, these receptors are dulled (naltrexone binds with them thus not allowing as much of a buzz from alcohol)... but if one misses a dose, the receptors are extra sensitive and alcohol pleasure in the brain is increased thus increasing the chances of overindulging and developing, or increasing a drinking problem.

Look up THE SINCLAIR METHOD for more information.

I have experience with both bupropion and naltrexone. I WAS (yes it is possible to greatly recover with naltrexone) a full blown alcoholic drinking well over 15 drinks a day. Now, in the presence of naltrexone my drinking has reduced to an average of 4 drinks per day and is still dropping. I have gotten my life back... but I would not want to see someone go the wrong direction because their doctor is not as familiar with naltrexone as they should be when prescribing it.... especially when prescribing to heavy drinkers.

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Traveling soon to Mexico and looking forward enjoying Margaritas! I've been taking Contrave since February 2016. While I want to have a good time, I also want to play it safe, what is a responsible amount of alcohol to consume. 5'10 185 pounds.

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The first day I took a contrave I had a glass of wine in the evening, no problems. On day 4 of taking contrave I drank a six pack of beer the evening after taking contrave in the morning. The next day I had a severe hangover. I do not normally drink a six pack, usually 3-4. I do not usually get severe hangovers, haven't had one in a decade or more. Everyone is an individual, so I expect everyone may have a unique response. Mine was not pleasant. Nausea, Headache, fatigue, confusion-mental slowness. I basically lost a morning to recover. I weigh 185 also.

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It is not an uncommon thing to have this happen when people start taking Contrave, or naltrexone.... its co-component.

That is because naltrexone reduces or eliminates the "buzz" caused by alcohol. Therefore some people drink more to get a buzz. The hangovers from being on naltrexone are often more pronounced.

Over time though, most people will end up drinking less or none.

A similar thing happens with Wellbutrin and smoking. Wellbutrin does not allow nicotine to bind with endorphins. Hence no nicotine buzz. Same thing happens. People may initially smoke more until they just give up. It is used as a smoking cessation agent in many countries and off label for that purpose here in the USA.

While I am not a doctor, I have had the personal experience from naltrexone and my girlfriend quit smoking using Wellbutrin.

What many people (including doctors) don't understand is that neither naltrexone nor Wellbutrin (combined is Contrave) will reduce urges to eat, drink or smoke in a direct fashion.

What does happen is that the endorphins that receive pleasure from these actions don't get stimulated, so initially the behaviors may increase short-term eventually for most of those that continue, the trend will reverse itself as less pleasure is received.... the pleasure may not even be noticed..... but the endorphins notice.

Hope this helps.... sorry for the long answer.

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I will admit. I love my bottle of wine. That is probably 80% of my weight gain recently. I am hoping the Contrave will kill 2 birds with one stone. I lost 6 lbs in 10 days and I feel like my wine love is slightening. Honestly if the drug killed my booze habit I would drop 30 lbs quite quick!

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Soo how is the drinking? Wanting to start the medicine and I am a beer drinker. Just curious on your progress.

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I decided to go out one night into the city and purchased an open bar. I've had amaretto and ginger ale's all night, my friends were a bit buzzed while I felt completely sober. All I felt was tired. I decided to not take a pill the night before (instead of the morning pill i take it in the evening) and I guess it was still in my system.

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Usually a full dose of naltrexone (50mg) lasts 24 hours or more. I often get by with 25 mg of it per day.

I have now continued to take naltrexone and buproprion for 13 months and my drinking remains very controlled.... Though my weight has not dropped much.

I wish more people knew of the benefits of naltrexone and lower alcohol intake.... It is one of very few drugs approved as a first line defense for alcohol disorders.... And very affordable.

Good luck with the Contrave. ;)

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I've been taking contrave for about a month. Can't get past the nausea and headache. I only ever take 2 in the morning and rarely 1 in the afternoon. I don't sleep well but I'm always sleepy. I have this horrible pain in my gut, like I was "sucker punched"! I too am a beer drinker. Beer don't even taste the same nor do I get the same buzz & enjoyment from it but still....I have long had a love for beer so I continue to try. I feel so so hungover even after only a 6pk. I haven't lost but a few lbs but I'm not giving up. I'm going to definitely stay out of the beer can for a while & see how I feel & if I have results.

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I've only just started Contrave so I don't know for sure that this will work, but with previous supplements, the OTC Gas-X pills are awesome. Fast acting, prevent bloating and minimize all symptoms.

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My doctor said it's ok to have my wine. I had a few glasses last night with jo side effects.

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I was a fairly heavy drinker before taking Contrave and since starting it I have had almost no desire for alcohol. When I did have even one glass of wine recently I didn't enjoy it like I used to and the next day I felt terrible. I will be taking a few months off from drinking. Oh and I lost 20 lbs. in just under a month.

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I was just perscribed contrave. I drink almost a bottle of wine a night, for years. I was wondering how long after stopping that bad habit would it be safe to start contrave?

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I can't answer that because I did not stop I went cold turkey immediately upon taking the medicine and my first week or so was very unpleasant if I had it to do over I would stop for at least a few days . The good news is I haven't had a drink in over a month and I don't have any desire to.I did find that any alcohol at all even one glass brought on side effects that were very unpleasant. Good luck!

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Have you lost any weight? I drink every day, started taking this drug the end of December. No weight loss at all.

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You’ll be totally fine with a glass of wine, but know that your one glass of wine will most likely turn to no glass of wine. I used to be a heavy wine drinker, and now having taken it for the past 5 months, the thought of wine most days makes me nauseous. Drinks don’t taste the same, and neither do sweets. So I know it’s doing what it’s meant to. Curbing my craving. I’m down 24lbs

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Is alcohol completely off the table when taking Contrave? I want to have a few drinks this weekend and now I am worried. I’m just wrapping up my first week so I’m only taking one pill right now. But what happens when I’m on 2 pills a day? Then 4? Can I never drink when taking these? Do I just not take for 1 day?

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Hi... I have been on contrave for almost a year, abstaining from alcohol for the most part. I have been drinking more lately and have had emotional breakdowns/crying for no reason... I know that contrave and alcohol do not mix well, but has anyone else experienced this?

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All I've noticed is I feel full after a few drinks so I'm not drinking as much when I go out. No other side effects. I've been on full dosage for 2 months now.

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Re: Biggus (# 38)

Congrats on your weight loss! You mentioned that you went on vacation and ate and drank everything you wanted (I plan to do the same!). Were you still taking Contrave while on vacation? Just wondering if you had any adverse reactions to suddenly drinking a lot.

I'm only on week 2, but I had the same reaction to alcohol as some others. A few nights ago, I drank quite a bit (probably 5 or 6 mixed drinks). When I went to bed, I was relatively sober. The alcohol definitely did not affect me as much as it normally does. But when I got up the next morning, I felt HORRIBLE. Disoriented, headache, nausea, etc. It finally came to a head with a visit to the Porcelain God. I didn't feel "good" until late that afternoon. I haven't had a hangover that bad in years.

Hubby and I are going on a 25th anniversay cruise in Sept. We're already booked and got the unlimited drink package as one of our perks. With the way I felt after a night of drinking while on Contrave, I'm thinking I should probably go off of it before our trip. Either that or I'll waste the unlimited drink pkg. LOL

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Re: Anita (# 49)

Good luck! I am taking a break but plan to start back up after the holidays... after about 6 months I found it wasn’t working as well anyway so hopefully this strategy will help me reach my goal. I can’t even tell you how much better I feel plus it was fun shopping for new clothes several sizes smaller !

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Re: Biggus (# 46)
that's great. hope i have as good results

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Just started taking contrave, not sure how im supposed to feel. But lost 5 pounds in 7 days i will take it

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Re: Jefb (# 45)

Yes. I’m on week six. Stay on it. The side effects improve and the desire for alcohol remains low. That’s great as far as I’m concerned. More weight loss and improved health.

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Re: Jefb (# 45)

Hmmm nope, never had that. I am slowly weaning myself off having nearly met my target down 75 pounds. Congratulations to everyone else who is working so hard to lose weight. It’s tough but it’s worth it.

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