Contrave Forums (Page 4)

My doctor prescribed to take this as 2 pills 2x per day. Not a ramp up like I read about online - has anyone else done this? I have not started taking the pills yet. ## You really should gradually increase it. It isn't fun gradually, it has to really suck taking it all at once. I would think it could hurt you taking it all straight away. The dr will write the rx for the full amount but either tell the pt to gradually increase or give them a sheet of paper. He gave me a pamphlet from the company that makes it. Ive found this to be common with other medicines that had to be brought up to a full dose over time. You should call and ask your doctor what you should do and tell them about the titration schedule. He may not know about it. I've had to inform my doctors about a lot of thi...

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I've been on Contrave for 6 months with some slight success. I've lost about 6 lbs, but I also have not gained any weight, which is at least a step in the right direction. I don't follow all the rules and don't exercise enough. I was initially scheduled to have ENT surgery for a severe sinus infection in 2 days (Wednesday). Surgery has now been moved to 8 days (following Tuesday). My GP told me today that I should off Contrave for 2 weeks prior to surgery because of the naltrexone, because it might interfere with anesthesia. I've looked online and cannot find any mention this. She also told be that because the naltrexone dose (8mg) is so I need to check with the anesthesiologist to be sure. I called the surgeon's office and his nurse called the anesthesiologist w...

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I take Bupropion for depression already and it is the second of the active drugs in Contrave. I was concerned about that but the doctor knew I was on it at the time of prescription. I am only on day 3. I feel a tad less bloated and found I lost a pound already. Day 2 wasn't great - had nausea, but it finally passed. I'm wondering if high fat foods bring on nausea as I had 2 modest size servings of pizza but heavy on the cheese. I think that had something to do with it. I'm a little concerned as I kick up in dosage on Contrave with the Buproprion already in my system but we'll see and I'll update. Curious if anyone else uses Buproprion as well. BTW, yes it does curb smoking tendencies. ## The manufacturer does warn that it shouldn't be taken with other medications...

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Has there been any studies or anecdotal information on Contrave and Restless Leg Syndrome? ## Hello Walt, According to the NIH restless leg syndrome is not an adverse reaction that is associated with this drug, however that does not mean that it's impossible for it to be the root cause. According to the report given by the FDA only 3 individuals out of 2,778 reported restless syndrome as a condition they noticed after taking contrave. Are there any other medications that you are taking in addition to the contrave? ## Since taking contrave, my severe rls is much improved!

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I took Contrave for about four months and lost 10 lbs. Decided I would stop and didn't take it for a month. I immediately started craving sweets again and started gaining weight, so I decided to start taking it again. Got a refill today but not sure if I should start over, with the minimum dosage, or go back to the maximum dosage. Or maybe somewhere in between..maybe two a day? I also seemed to develop a bit of a tremor when I was taking the medication and that got better when I stopped. However, I am diabetic and don't want to gain a lot of weight again. ## I would definitely start slow if I restarted at all. The dosage needs to build up in your system or you may be subject to more severe side effects. GLTU. ## @Rick, Ultimately I think it would be best to consult your doctor f...

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I just filled my prescription and will be starting tomorrow. I'm excited but nervous as I'm on Celexa and I've read that there is a possibility of major side effects. Has anyone else experienced anything? ## The Bupropion in the Contrave can increase the effect of Celexa, so you do need to be careful of that and your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of it. The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, insomnia, nervousness and anorexia. Is there anything else I can help with? ## I'm taking contrave and Celexa. I have been on for 2 months. My last period was very very light and this month not at all. I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I use Nuva ring and usually start as soon as I take it out. Could this combo of ...

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I'm on Contrave almost 3 mos and lost 29 lbs...that's the great part, but lately I am getting the worst headaches, usually over one eye . Lately I've been getting 3 headaches a week and all I could do is lay in bed. Sometimes ice on my head feels better or even the pressure from the pillow being on my head to block out the light helps. I went to my prescribing doctor and she said headaches are a side effect. Other than a headaches my only other side effect is dry mouth. My doctor said the headache should go away as this does happen to a few patients on this meds. Advil migraine doesn't seem to help so I really don't know what else I could take with contrave. If I wasn't on contrave this kind of headache would definitely be gone with a Vicodin! But I know I cannot...

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Wow, I took my first pill this morning and in an hour I had bad diarrhea. Was on my way to work and had to turn around and go home. An hour and half later and I'm still feeling stomach cramps. Am I going to have this problem every time I take the pill? Should I take the pill with food? I had eaten breakfast an hour earlier. Help, I don't know what to do. ## Yes!! and more!! I had the same problem, took the first pill and within a couple of hours I had nausea and diarrhea with vomiting to follow. After laying down I felt better until I got back in the car. The motion brought back not only the nausea but also dizziness. I can't use a product that leaves me unable to eat, drink or do anything but lay down for the entire day. ## Hello Cynthia, According to the NIH diarrhea is a ...

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I have been on contrave for about 5 months now and ever since I have had spotting while on birth control pills. I normally take them continously for 3 months and then have a cycle that last week but now it seems to be causing a cycle every month. Has anyone else had this problem? ## Irregular menstruation is reported by the FDA as a possible side effect of Contrave. You may also experience nausea, dizziness, headache and insomnia. Have any other women experienced this? ## Yes I suffer from chronic migraines and my medication has caused me major weight gain so as a counter measure my doctor prescribed contrave to kick start me I am going on week 3 and I really thought that somethings else had gone horribly wrong, my first week contrave causes me spotting then these past two weeks my migr...

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I have been taking this pill now for 2 weeks. I lost the 3 lbs the 1st week. Since then I have gained like 6lbs. However, I can tell that it's curbing my appetite, but no more weight loss. I'm trying to decide if I continue. I'm totally sleep deprived and constipated to the max degree...Is it worth it to continue? ## Hello Meme, I would like to help you but I need some information to go off of. What medication are you taking and was it prescribed to you? Just some information that may help you. Eating less food does not necessarily mean that you will lose weight. The only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you are consuming in a day, so no matter how low your intake is you could theoretically still gain weight if you were to burn less energy. If you don't f...

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I've been on it since last July and have lost 38 lbs, but I hit a plateau about a month ago. I am trying to limit calories and walking 3 miles a day. I just seem to be getting very hungry in the evening again. Am I immune to the contrave now? It is costing me $60 dollars a month now. My insurance doesn't pay for it. ## Hello, Cheryl! How are you? Has there been any change? You're not likely resistant to it, already, most people taking it have reported hitting a plateau period for anywhere from a few weeks to a month, before it started working for them, again. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, insomnia, nervousness and anorexia. Is there anything else I can help with? ## The same thing is happening to me it's coming up on a ye...

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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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On day 5 of my first dosage of Contrave, I started with low back/kidney pain. (I already had MOST of the common side effects such as NAUSEA, BAD HEADACHES, HOT FLASHES & SWEATS etc. How could we forget the often uncontrollable DIARRHEA! On day 9, I couldn't stand it. My doc sent me for a u/a and put me on Baytril for a UTI....but this is WAY WORSE than usual. I was so sick on days 10 and 11 that the doctor advised I STOP CONTRAVE! I hope I did not damage my kidneys during this brief episode. I'm drinking lots of water and hoping the Contrave leaves my body soon. Anyone else with a similar experience? ## How long have you been off of it, now? It can cause bladder pain, as a side effect, along with bloody or cloudy urine, according to FDA reports. It is unlikely that it has do...

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what does the rash that a person might get while on this med look like? ## It depends on why they are getting the rash. If it's a side effect rash, it usually just looks like a systemic rash that covers a large portion of the body, but it isn't itchy and doesn't include hives. However, an allergic rash will usually be itchy and cause hives. The FDA lists the other typical side effects of this medication as possibly including nausea, dizziness, insomnia, nervousness and anorexia. Have you consulted your doctor? They should be able to let you know what has caused the rash. ## I have been on Contrave for 2 weeks. I didn't have any side effects until I started taking 2 pills a day. Now I am breaking out in bumps under my arms, under my belly, my back and on the inside of my ...

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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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I have a constricted esophagus and swallowing pills can be a bit of a challenge. I have been on Contrave for 5 days and it has been stuck almost everyday. Currently my throat is burning and my voice is hoarse. I’m concerned the pill is just sitting in my throat slowly dissolving. I know the instructions say not to crush but has anyone tried it? And if so did you have any adverse reactions? ## Hello Julie, Sorry to hear that you are struggling with the administration of your contrave pills. Even though it is an unfortunate situation I would strongly advise that you do not administer the medication in any other way than your doctors/pharmacists instructions. Two primary reasons for taking a pill whole is so that your body can properly absorb the medication and the other reason is so...

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I have been on Contrave for three months but the last couple weeks I am having muscle twitching bad enough to keep me awake. Could the Contrave be causing this? ## Hello, Patty! How are you? The only place I'm seeing this listed is under the overdose symptoms that are provided by the FDA. The typical side effects may possibly include nausea, dizziness, insomnia, nervousness and depression. Have you discussed this with your doctor? Are you on any other medications? ## I am taking contrave and also experiencing muscle twitches. My hands actually shake as if I have Parkinson's. It is also definitely psychotropic. I developed an acute case of agoraphobia - didn't leave the house for two days. It also has had an impact on my autoimmune system. My body is not fighting off bacteria...

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Been on Contrave a little over 3 months and it was like a light switch going off.....fine, happy, feeling “normal”....then “boom” it hit, panic attacks, feeling outside of myself, talking but not feeling present, afraid I’m dying. This is horrible! I want to stop taking immediately, but am afraid of withdrawal. Anyone else feel this ever? ## It is kind of unusual for such issues to start after you've been on it for 3 months, but nothing is impossible, since everyone is different. The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, nervousness, and insomnia. Have you consulted your care provider? Are you on any other medications? In most cases you have to taper off of this type of medication, your doctor should be ab...

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I have been on Contrace for 6 weeks now, and am very pleased with the results. I was prescribed contrave due to severe endometriosis and other hormonal issues I was having. I didnt start taking it until 5 weeks ago, about 3 months after my hysterectomy. I am 28, and am going through serious hormonal stuff along with menopause, and I would diet and exercise yet nothing was happening with my weight. So I decided to start my contrave to help, and it has really moved things along for me. However, when I got to week 4 and upped my daily dosage to 2 i the AM and 2 in the PM, I experienced some serious nausea and dizziness; blinding optic nerve headaches. I understand that these are common side effects, but I have 2 small children and cannot live that way. So I decided to try taking 1 pill eve...

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I have been on Contrave for 5 days. 2 days ago, I noticed a splotchy rash on my buttocks, legs and around my armpits. It does not itch. My doctor does not know what it is and the only thing new is this medication. Has anyone else experienced this side effect? If so, does it resolve on its own? ## I'm in week five of taking Contrave. I had no side effects until I started the week 5 dosing (2 tabs twice a day). I developed a blotchy red rash mostly on my forearms. Ive list 10 lbs so far so I'm staying on the Contrave. Bum just going to try taking ZYRTEC to are if it relieves the rash. ## A rash is listed by the FDA as a possibly side effect of Contrave. Most side effects do go away, after 4 to 6 weeks, once your body gets used to the medication. Other side effects may also include...

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