Contrave Vs Belviq

I was on free 2 weeks of Belviq followed by 1 mo out of pocket Belviq. Lost and felt good with NO side effects at all. Then my doctor said she thought Contrave would be a better choice because it is just as effective, if not more, and cheaper...just 70 dollars a month. But, I have heart racing and feel agitated. I did not experience either with Belviq. I feel like calling my Dr. Back and asking to switch back and suck up the 200 mo. For Belviq.

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Hello, Jewels! How are you?

Are you certain that Contrave is the correct name of the medication? Because it is listed by the FDA as containing Naltrexone and Buprenorphine, which is used to treat drug addiction, it is not used for weight loss. This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Belviq contains the active ingredient Lorcaserin and it used to help with weight loss, along with diet and exercise. Its typical side effects may include nausea, dizziness, anorexia and loss of appetite.

Can you please double check and post back? Thanks!

Editor's note: Content of this message has been deemed inaccurate

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My doctor prescribed Contrave few days ago. I have not filled the prescription. I'm already taking Bupropion and Nucynta (narcotic for chronic pain) and my doctor said for me to continue theses meds in addition to Contrave. The warnings state DO NOT TAKE if you are taking Buprpion already. I cannot exercise due to disability (I was hit by a car while walking to work). Has anyone had this issue? Does anyone feel that Belviq is safer and more effective? Can you take Buprpion with Belviq? Thanks for your input.

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You are obviously a Belviq rep and know nothing about Contrave. Contrave is the only drug that isn't a controlled substance and is for weight loss, I take it myself and have lost about 20 lbs to date. Know what you are talking about before you post negative information about medications!

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I'm sorry that I left out information. I cannot exercise at all and I take numerous medications. I was told by a Contrave rep the the pain meds and Wellbutrion (Bupropion) that I take would have a bad reaction with Contrave. I am currently on the Belviq 15 day trial and I reduced the calories I intake. I've only lost a few pounds. By next week I will know what I will do going forward. I was too afraid to take my meds with while on the trial so my mom gave me Noni juice and curcumin for pain and inflammation. I will continue this and will do the trial for contrave. I am a honest person and I apologize if I sounded like I was pushing Belviq. I was only asking if anyone has had my issue. I want to live and I have to lose weight. I want to be healthy and not have to take alot of meds. The post you replied to was my very first time posting on something. Cinderella I pray that you meet all your health goals. Bless you :-)

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Why would you continue to take a medication with side effects when the other was working for you? You are responsible for your own healthcare. I would definitely call my physician back. I hear Belviq is going to lower the price in the near future if you do not have insurance anyway so that may solve your problem.

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Thank you Karl. I will dicuss with my PCP this Friday. With me not taking my regular meds, I haven't had any negative side effects with Belviq..it's just some mornings I've lost a pound or 2 and then the next day I've gained back. Also appetite control is one of the issues I have. But I know it's all going to work out. Thanks again for the information :-)

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Verwon, you have the right ingredients listed but it is actually used for weight loss. You can even check on the manufacturer page contrave.com. "INTRODUCING CONTRAVE (naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl) -- A new, FDA-approved treatment for weight loss in obese adults"

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My apologies, I did type the wrong medication, it is Bupropion, not Buprenorphine. There have been so many questions about Suboxone that it's become habit to type that combination for me and I will be more careful in the future.

Cinderella is correct, it is not a controlled substance.

However, the Naltrexone can affect opiates, if you're taking them, so this really shouldn't be combined with them, it will reduce their efficacy.

Thank you, Carter, for the page recommendation, it wasn't showing up for me in a search, but I was able to find it now and learn more about this medication.

It is not known whether or not it is safe, if taken with other medications, so that is something to be very about and follow your doctor's advice.

What dosage of Bupropion are you already taking? In your case, Belviq might be a better choice, because Contrave is meant to be used with a low calorie diet and exercise.

Typical side effects are listed as possibly including nausea, dizziness, constipation, headache and trouble sleeping.

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If you do not have insurance that covers Belviq your maximum payout is $75. Your physician or you should be able to get the coupon from the Belviq website.

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The clinical trials for Belviq and Contrave showed that Contrave dropouts from side effects were about 26%.

Compare that to Belviq's 8% side effects dropout rate.

I am not a drug rep. I just know the facts.

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No the discount is 75.00 so you pay 165.00. My doctor switched me to contravention from belviq..Today was day 1 .never again..I'm going back to belviq with no side effects only weight loss. I want to cry right now I'm nauseous and I fell horrible. I'll GLADLY pay for belviq. I'm not a rep just a normal person who should have listened to myself but wanted a cheaper option ...

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No the maximum out of pocket for Belviq for someone without insurance is $75.

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Hi Jules - I was on Belviq for over a year - and am now on Contrave.

It is true Contrave is much less expensive (I was out of pocket - since insurance does not cover obesity care) - But the effects of the two drugs are ohhhh so different. And for me the Contrace addesses my issues of eating/over eating better than the Belviq did. It sounds like you are the opposite and if you can afford it I really would suggest you go back on Belviq if it works/worked for you! The side effects are pretty fierce with the Contrave but it corrects my impusive evening behavior much more than the Belviq did so I am going to punch through.... good luck on what ever you choose to do! JH

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Not true --- I paid about $130 per month for the Belviq --- NOT $75. A good medication if it works ---

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If you go to Belviq.com you can get 15 days free as well as the manufacturer's savings card that you can take to the pharmacy with the prescriptions and you will not pay more than $75 a month.

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The $75 max is NOT TRUE ---- at least not with CVS. I always paid $120 something.....

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Initially, Belviq was $200 out of pocket for me because my insurance doesn't cover it. I let my doctor know that my insurance doesn't cover it and he gave me a card to take to the pharmacy when filling the prescription for the Belviq. The card is given to those who's insurance won't cover the cost. With the card, my prescription for Belviq was $75. The card is for Belviq only. Don't believe me? Call 855-235-8471 (that's the customer service number on my card) and they can tell you how to get a card although your doctor should have them there in his/her office. No I am not a drug rep. I'm just an over weight mom looking for information on Contrave and came across this particular thread.

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Of course I believe you! Just talking about my experience with the Belviq - I also had a discount card --- but it cost me more than you - could be a location thing.

I did not think YOU were a drug rep -- the person Verwon - seems not to be on the medication and always answers in such an odd way that someone else asked if she/he is a rep - no response, and it really does not matter. I am soooo happy with the Contrave - after pushing through most of the side effects -- badly - but they have eased up. For me personally it has had a much more robust effect on my eating that the Belviq - which I thought was good but more limited in its effect for me personally! Good luck to you! Jean

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Give Riteaid a try. That's where i grt mine

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I started Belviq 10 mg. and Phentermine 37.5 back in Mar. I was already on Wellbutrin 300 XL and took all three at one time. I had " 0 " side effects. My weight lose started off slow 2lbs a week maybe. Then about the third week It took off !!!!!!! Sometimes 10 lbs a month. I started at 245 I now weigh 210. I have now hit a wall. 2 weeks ago I started eating like I use to but not as much and making only SOME good choices .My goal is to be under 200 lbs.I found that in the beginning Belviq kept me from eating late night, candy, chips and chocolate. No bad cravings at all, Even some of my favorites just didn't taste the same. My Dr. switched me to Contrave. I'm nervous because I have read sooooo many bad side effects. Will I be able to reach my goal without being derailed by SIDE EFFECTS !!!! REALLY !!! I have been spoiled by Belviq. I didn't exercise faithfully I just wasn't a couch potato as much as I use to be.I ate what I chose to eat and really didn't feel like I was missing anything because those old cravings were not there anymore. I don't know if this will help anyone but it is my story .Good luck :)

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Re: Belviq Freak (# 20)

Why were you on both Belviq and phenterine? The Phentermine should have done the job of weight loss. I just started contrave and was taking phenterine but because of high blood pressure I had to come off the Phentermine . I wish I could still take it because the price is 35.00 compared to 100.00 out of pocket .

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Re: JH (# 13)

I had been on contrave for over 3 years. I had some side effects initially such aa headaches, heat flashes and constipation. I lost 65 pounds and maintained the weight loss. I stopped craving foods and felt full early.
Then it seemed to be less effective. I asked my doctor to switch me to something else. I started belviq with wellbutrin. It has reversed everything. Im hungry all the time,i have cravings.
I decided this morning to go back to contrave. For me, its a miracle medication. I was on it 3 years and it stopped being a effective, but it still worked.
The only constant negative side effect was constipation which miralax daily does the job

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Re: Comments (# 4)

I am currently taking contrave and I have been for 2 months and I haven't lost 1 lb it's not working and it's very costly insurance doesn't pay yet

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Re: Nursealk (# 69)

I agree with you about Contrave. Made me feel horrible all the time. Sleepy, headache, nausea, hair loss, hot sweats, just like I went through with menopause 8 years ago. Once is enough, believe me!!!

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Contrave was AWFUL side effects only decreased slightly in 4 weeks... irritable, constant headache everyday, ringing in my ears, constant pressure in my sinus cavity, nausea, vomiting.... Belviq no real side effects other than slightly dizzy at times.. I will never put Contrave poison in my body again

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I live in California & used CVS to fill my Belviq prescription and I never paid more than $75 with the discount card. I am not a big fan of CVS pharmacy but that is the closest one to me. Anyone who is on a tight budget can call a pharmacy to check the price before ordering which is what I recommend.

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I was taking contrave, but unfortunately it made my vision extremely blurred. I definitely was not hungry on it and wish I could have stayed on it. So the doctor now gave me prescription for belviq X-rays. Hope no side effects, but works as well as contrave did! I'm 60 and it gets harder to lose weight as I age.

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I'm looking to try one either contrave or belviq. I was on phentermine and topiramate and they were working great, appetite suppressant i was not getting up in the middle of the night looking for candy but the one draw back was the dry mouth was so bad that my dentist said I would eventually start losing my teeth and eventually bone. so i had to stop. has anyone had any dry mouth with either contrave or belviq?

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I have been on Contrave ER for 3 months. When I got to the maxium recommended dose, I felt horrible. I was dizzy, felt like I was going to faint, anxious, constipated, and definitely could not drink even 1 cup of coffee in the mornings without being terribly jittery. I tried reducing the dose to reduce symptoms. It has helped, but the 10 lb weight loss isn't worth feeling bad to me. I have my follow up appointment with my doctor. I may see if she recommends Belviq. Anyone else have these issues with Contrave? I pay $90/month with coupon. Insurance would not cover it because my BMI was below 30.

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Hi, this is the second time I've read a post here stating that Contrave is basically the same exact drug as Suboxone. I do not think that is accurate whatsoever. I cannot find anywhere on the internet that backs that information up. I'm sure it confused & misled many others as it did me.

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