Contrave Forums (Page 7)

I have been on Contrave for over four months and I have lost 35 lbs., so far. Occasionally I get very bad headaches which Advil or Tylenol just won't help. Can I take 1/2 of a vicodin to see if that might help, or is that dangerous? ## Hello, Pat! How are you? One of the active ingredients in Contrave, as listed by the FDA, is Naltrexone and it's other use is as an opiate blocker, so the Vicodin will have no effect. It would be best to consult your doctor about what you can take for the headaches that will work. The FDA lists the other side effects of Contrave as possibly including nausea, insomnia, nervousness and anorexia. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Don't take any Vicodin with it!! I hadn't been told about the huge contraindication between the two meds ...

2 REPLIES

I am concerned while on Contrave if I have a wreck, what could be given for adequate pain relief, would naltrexone negate all meds and I suffer in agony? Just wondering, I had hip replacement and woke up in agony, wouldn't want anyone to go through that ## Hi Brenda, That's a really good question actually. My findings suggest that your suspicion surrounding Naltrexone is true. According to NIH (US National Institute of Health), Naltrexone completely blocks the subjective and other effects of opioids. Ref: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3160743 Having read this, it sounds to me like you'd probably need to talk with your doctor about coming off Contrave in order to receive the most benefit from any opioid-based pain medication. Unfortunately I'm not aware of any other ph...

2 REPLIES

I am on week 2 and the nausea is really bad. Vomiting and constipation at times have started. I am losing weight. I'm also 14 months post gastric sleeve surgery. I need help with the nausea. Any suggestions? ## Ginger chews really helped for me. Also noticed the nausea was worse if I ate fatty food. Hope that helps. ## I think Ginger is an excellent option for alleviating nausea as suggested by post #1. [1]"The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea...": ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818021 Peppermint essential oil tends to help me with nausea as well. [2]"Study of the Effect of Mint Oil on Nausea...": ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3560544 But I'd also consider looking into Ginseng if you need a trifecta of remedies. [3]"Effects of Korean ...

2 REPLIES

I took 2 pills of contrave (1 pill Tuesday and 1 pill Wednesday) and I forgot I had a drug test to take for a new job. Will contrave make me fail my drug test? And how long does it take for this pill to leave your system? I take my drug test on Friday. ## It shouldn't, since it does not contain any controlled substance that it normally included on standard drug tests, going by FDA and NIH standards. Is this the only medication you take? If it was prescribed for you, you should just inform them you are taking it, at the time of the test, and they should know how to proceed from there. Have you received your results, yet?

1 REPLY

Started 3 weeks ago and have a urine drug screen in 3 days. Will it show up in my urine? I haven't taken it for 3 days. Is 6 total days enough to be clear? ## Contrave does not contain any ingredients that are included on general drug screening panels. Going by FDA regulations, they usually only check for controlled substances, such as opiates, or benzodiazepines. In other words, medications that are commonly abused and might be habit forming. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

I have been taking contrave for 8 days, took the second dose and woke up the next day with a headache. Took my morning dose and ended up with a high fever (102) headache and just achy all over. Haven't taken it since then and still have fevers and neck ache. How long will this last? ## Wrong email was set up with last post ## Hi mitchel, Sorry to hear about your experience with Contrave. From what I've researched, headaches, fever, & joint/muscle pain are all listed as potential side effects associated with this medication. While I'm not aware of how long these symptoms last, I do know that if I were in such a predicament, I wouldn't allow myself to continue taking something that had that kind of impact on my body and general well-being...and think you made a good de...

3 REPLIES

I have tried EVERYTHING. Adipex, Aderal, and every over the counter scam imaginable. Wanna know my problem??? ME!!! I EAT and EAT and cook and EAT. I love food and enjoy it with WINE. So is my thyroid the problem? Slow metabolism? NO...ITS ME. Lack of self control, Lack of discipline!! So when I whined and cried at age 45 and 35 lbs overweight to my OBGYN she suggested Contrave. I rolled my eyes and said I don't tolerate the drug thing well at all. I have had No success keeping it off and I hate the way drugs make me feel. Can I JUST have gastric bypass now rather than get to be 600 lbs? She laughed and wrote the prescription. I reluctantly started it and had nightmares in the first two weeks. But since I no longer craved wine as much and lost two pounds in two weeks decided that Ja...

1 REPLY

I took one Contrave and my regular dosage of Tramadol and wound up in the ER with such horrific withdrawals I wanted to pass out. My question is, how long after taking one Contrave before I can resume my regular Tramadol dosage? ## It can block opiates from working for you for about 3 days, or so. Was the prescribing doctor aware that you'd be taking both? Usually, according to FDA warnings, it is not safe to take a medication such as Contrave, until you are in full withdrawal from all opiate medications, or it creates the risk of your going into dangerous precipitated withdrawals. One of the ingredients in Contrave neutralizes opiates, it is often used to treat opiate overdoses, or prevent someone from abusing opiates, while being treated for addiction.

1 REPLY

Hello, I take risperidone and lithium for bi polar. My Dr. prescribed contrave for weight loss. Are these two safe to use with contrave? ## Hello, Christina! How are you? The FDA does list a warning that combining Lithium with Contrave may cause seizures, so it would likely be best to double check with your doctor, before taking it. Side effects are listed as possibly including nausea, dizziness, insomnia, and nervousness. Has anyone taken this combination? ## I take lithium and the combination of contract and lithium made me so sick and nauseous and I was only on the first week so only taking one pill

2 REPLIES

What are the best times to take Contrave? When you are supposed to take 2 in the morning, do you take them at the same time or space them out? What about the afternoon? ## Yes, they are usually both taken together, just before a meal. The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, nervousness, insomnia, and weight loss. How are you doing with them? Are you on any other medications? ## When are the best times to take contravene? I just started taking 2 A day! Do you take them befor or after eating?

2 REPLIES

I took 2 pills this morning. I set out my 2 pills for the afternoon, got distracted, forgot I took the morning set and took the afternoon set. 4 pills at one time, what is my risk? ## Hi Renee, According to nih.gov, the following symptoms are reportedly associated with an overdose of Bupropion (one of the two active ingredients in Contrave): - Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting - Loss of consciousness - Slow or irregular heartbeat - Unusual tiredness If you notice any of those symptoms, they suggest seeking emergency medical assistance immediately. As far as Naltrexone is concerned, there are reports by medlineplus.gov stating that it may cause liver damage when taken in large doses. They further note that in case of an overdose, you should call your local poison control center at ...

1 REPLY

I am now up to 4 pills a day. I take the first dose around 7:30 and then eat breakfast. What time should I take the pm dose? I don't desire sweets now, but it does not seem to curb my appetite for dinner. I am nauseous and anxious. The first 2 weeks it did curb my appetite. ## The dosing directions just say morning and evening, so approximately 12 hours apart seems to be a safe assumption. However, if the morning dose is not curbing your appetite for your evening meal, you may need to adjust when you take it. Can anyone else that's taking it chime in with their experience? Nausea, and anxiety can be normal side effects of this medication, according to FDA reports. You may also experience dizziness, headache, diarrhea, and insomnia. Has there been any change?

1 REPLY

I'm on 2nd week of Contrave 1 pill Am 1 pill pm. I have had a minor procedure which requires Norco 325/7.5. Is it's ok to take. (ER prescribed) yes I told them what medicine I was taking. I also was on Vyvanse 40mg and Kolopin(as needed), when my Dr perscribed Contrave ? ## I stopped the Vyvanse due to me seeing it had a major side effect risk. The started the contrave 3 days later to be safe. ## The Naltrexone in the Contrave will most likely prevent the Hydrocodone in the Norco in working, so it isn't likely that it will help with pain, if you are still taking Contrave. The FDA warns that Hydrocodone carries the risk of being habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, and headache. Have you taken any, yet? If so, what has ...

2 REPLIES

I started taking Contrave in February and have lost 24 pounds so far. It worked really well for my appetite and cravings. I have noticed the last couple of weeks it is not effective and has not been curving my appetite and cravings. Is this normal and can I do anything do "reboot" so it is effective again? ## This is happening to me too.. on it for 5 months and I seem hungry a lot more now. Curious to see if anyone has any input on this slowdown. ## This is exactly what has happened to me in the last week or so. It's as if I am not taking it at all anymore. It's very expensive to build up a resistance to, if that is what's going on. I can't take any more of them, I am at the highest dose as I have been on it for 6 weeks or so. The first month I lost almost 20 pou...

4 REPLIES

I am taking 2 pills in the morning and 2 pills in the evening. But yesterday I missed my evening dose. What should I do? ## Generally, the prescribing instructions say that you should pick up, again, with your regular dosing schedule. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, nervousness, insomnia, and anorexia. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

I have been taking contrave for 2 months. My side effects are tiredness in the afternoon and neasua in the morning. They are not enough for me to quit. This morning I vomited from the neasua and with the force of the dry heave I got a sudden severe headache lasting about one minute. Then a dull headache ever since. Should I be concerned? ## Those can be normal side effects, according to NIH reports, but it is always best to have such a symptom checked out, because it could be a sign of other dangerous health issues. You may also experience headache, nervousness, and anorexia. Are you on any other medications? How often do you usually experience headaches?

1 REPLY

Hello, I've started contrave and been on one pill for about a week and a half, I probably need to up it. I have noticed an increase in eye twitchiness and for about 3 days now random pins and needles tingling in my back and feet. Anyone else?? ## You should have this checked out by a doctor, those could be symptoms of an allergy and if they worsen, it could become life threatening. The NIH lists other allergy symptoms as possibly including hives and trouble breathing? How are you doing? Has there been any change? Have you experienced any new symptoms?

1 REPLY

I am on my 4th week with Contrave and feel great. I have only lost 3lbs and now I'm noticing my appetite returning...is it loosing its effect? I take 4 pills daily. The pharmacist was no help and said that will happen with any medication. Anything I can do to loose that appetite again? Thanks! ## I feel this too! I feel like my cravings are coming back. Do I have to keep upping the dosage bc I don't want to do that and shouldn't have to. ## Many people have reported hitting a plateau with this medication, which may last for a few weeks, according to NIH reports. Other side effects as listed as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, and anorexia. If you are still seeing no improvement after about a month, or so, you should inform your doctor. How are you both doing? ...

3 REPLIES

Has anyone had the side effects of feeling foggy? Did that subside? I was taking lexapro but quit when started contrave but had to stop it....wondering if something else could have been done different bc I want to try contrave again... ## Hello, Alison! How are you? Yes, that can be a side effect of Contrave, as listed by the FDA, along with nausea, dizziness, irritability, mood swings, insomnia and anorexia. However yes, they should start to taper off in severity and eventually go away entirely, once your body gets used to the medication, but that may take about 4 weeks, or so. Is there anything else I can help with? ## I was very foggy on contrave and also had switched from lexapro. It gets worse the longer you take it as it builds up in the liver ## Foggy? Maybe that's what it is...

3 REPLIES

I have on day five of contrave and just started getting headaches. I was wondering what other peoples headaches feel like? Mine are more like at the bottom of my temple and the top of my jaw bone on both sides....I feel like I have a lot of pressure.....is it like this for anyone else? ## I got a weird feeling in my head, less of a headache and more tension/pressure. Also tightness in my jaw and face, pressure in my eyes. I stopped it after a week but I keep reading that over time the problems get better. I am going to give it another shot and try to stick it out for at least a couple of months to see if things get better and if the medicine works. ## I have the same exact headaches and feelings. If I knew they would eventually go away I would stick it out,but I'm not sure. Its the ...

4 REPLIES