Itching From Contrave (Page 3)

I have been taking Contrave for three weeks and have developed itching on the insides of my hands and the bottoms of my feet. Has anyone else experienced this?

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Omg!!! I've been to the doctor twice thinking I had a bug or something but finally found out it was from my Contrave...I don't want anyone to suffer but glad I'm not the only one..So glad I found this...it is a maddening itch...It started in the palms of my hands also but has since spread...I also felt like something was crawling on me and was freaked out...they assured me I didn't have any bugs...did testing and it was negative...the doc told me I could stop altogether and see if things clear up or take Zyrtec and continue...well I definitely want to continue...down five pounds in a month so I'll see how Zyrtec works...

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I started Contrave with one pill a day but only got to the second day and that evening, BAM! I had hives all over my body including in my ears, scalp and other places that I won't mention. My eyes were so swollen and my face was red and felt like sandpaper that I knew I was allergic to Contrave. I ran to my doctors where I was put on heavy steroids and an antihistamine. It was awful! I gained 8 pounds. My face was red and puffy and I itched for over 2 weeks. Once the allergic reaction was gone, upon my doctors approval. I started out again but at .5 of a tablet. AGAIN on the second day and only taking .5 a tab I had another allergic reaction. So I must say goodbye to Contrave. I am highly allergic. I am glad I am not the only person with this type of reaction but sad that I cannot be on this medication.

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I also experienced itching a little over two weeks into Contrave and had to stop. I did not try Zyrtec because it just didn't feel right to be walking around with a suppressed allergic reaction all day. But I'm not a doctor so maybe it would have been fine.

I am wondering if anyone has tried getting Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Naltrexone LDN prescribed separately and if that stopped the itching side effect. Contrave basically just combined those two drugs into one pill but they have been being prescribed as two separate drugs used together for weight-loss for years.

I can't find anyone complaining of itchiness who have gotten the two prescribed separately but maybe its just not as common (or "hot right now") a subject for people to be posting about it.

Anyway, would love to know anyone's experiences!

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Re: Jessica (# 8)

Hi .. I started iching in the second week one pill in the morning one in the night on the 3rd day of that my neck and chest is extremely ichy started to break out in a rash . I called the doctor and she said stop immediately for a couple days till the rash goes away.. ughh .. i hope i can go back on it and maybe just take once a day .. we will see in a few days ?? hope all is well!

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Re: Colly (# 18)

Me too! Dr made me stop.Does anybody know if we can take this pill just once a day? Because I was fine until I had to do twice a day I developed a ichy rash on my neck and chest .. Its Saturday Dr. told me to stay off a couple of days to see if the itchiness goes away I’m hoping I can go back on Monday.

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Re: Mandi (# 14)

I was wondering about the itch it started at the end of week three -driving me nuts on bottom of feet and hands i stopped taking contrave will try zyrtec hopefully it works

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Re: Arlie (# 7)

I was wondering about the itch it started at the end of week three -driving me nuts on bottom of feet and hands i stopped taking contrave will try zyrtec hopefully it works

Do you think if i do one in the morning and one in evening if it will stop the itching

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I have been on Contrave for three weeks and broke out in huge hives today. I am quite sad about it because I was in much better control with my eating and beginning to drop weight. I was only taking one pill for the first week and then two pills daily for the next two weeks. Now on steroids. Benedryl did very little.

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Re: cade71 (# 6)

Yes, it has been four days and I'm itchy all over, driving me nuts. Bought a whole bunch of creams and nothing is helping so I quit taking the pills a few days ago when this started. Wondering if I restarted and only took one pill morning and afternoon if it would help?

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Re: Minnie (# 49)

I think you are done with Contrave Minnie as you are having an allergic reaction for sure. Benedryl really helped the itch.

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I too have started itching. Started when I doubled my dose to two in morning and at night a couple days ago. I too was thinking that it was something else but doubling my dose was the only new thing in my rountine. Today I'm noticing that I'm starting to have slight headaches. The benadryl has been very helpful but I can't take it during the day because I would be too sleepy at work. All of the reviews have been very helpful. I've already had two tablets in the am and started itching shortly afterwards. I think I will skip tonight's dose and take a benadryl just to get some relief. I am going to taper it down some and see how that goes. Wish me luck. I've lost 5lbs so far and it really helps curve those urges.

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Re: Yvonnie (# 51)

So sorry Yvonne. I also hated to stop the Contrave because it was helping with weight but just as an update, after the horrible hives at the end of May, I am having a good deal of hair loss which I noticed during May, along with scalp itch and sensitivity, but thought it might be normal shedding. Turns out my doctor thinks that the allergic reaction, which did involve my scalp, affected the follicles and all during June I am really losing hair. Fortunately, I have thick hair and the doctor thinks it will subside. Currently on vitamins to help,hair and skin with a special natural shampoo and condition to help the persistent scalp itch. I did read some posts about hair loss and Contrave, which is not a high level side effect but just be aware.

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Re: Alicat (# 17)

I am relieved to hear that the itchyness I am experiencing currently is most likely linked to Contrave. I just started the 2:2 phase and have been woken up in the middle of the night with uncontolable itchyness! The itchyness is the worst in the night, I cannot sleep. It is present in the day too. This is a brand new symptom.
Contrave has been working for me; I have lost 12 lbs. I hope the itchyness passes. It is unbearable. I thought I had bed bugs!! I have been losing my mind! Thank you all for sharing.

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Re: Plumlbs (# 53)

Just an update. It seems some people have itchiness with no severe allergic reaction so I guess it just becomes a situation where you decide if you can stand that side effect and it is worth it for the weight loss benefit. My severe allergic reaction resulting in significant hair loss did resolve. Hair loss stopped after three months and regrowth has started.

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Yes! I am on my third week and my feet are extremely itchy. I have looked to see if this is a side effect, but not found anything.

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Re: Chris (# 43)

Hi. I'm taking the two drugs separately & am having the same problem. I can say for certain the itching is due to the Naltrexone.

From the start, I was prescribed 1 wellbutrin SR a day. For Naltrexone, in weeks 1-2 I took a quarter of a tab per day. On week 3, I increased to half a tab per day & this is when the itchy hands & feet began. I'm also noticing some hives and hand/foot swelling as well in week 3.

Antihistamine & heavy creams helped with the itching but I'm going to drop back down to the lower dosage of Naltrexone. Hopefully the lower Naltrexone dose will still be effective for weight loss bc I didn't experience any side effects in the first 2 wks.

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Re: Amy (# 56)

I took Contrave a few years ago. The insanely intense itching of my feet and palms of my hands was it for me. I gave it up. No rash just pure misery from the itch. My body said stop, so I did.

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The itching is awful. I stopped taking and still itchy. Going to doctor today to get prednisone. How long will it take for this to go away. Scratching big marks in my sleep

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Re: Jessica (# 8)

I stopped it over a week ago and am still itching. I've never experienced this before. I am afraid to start the medicine again.

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Re: Mandi (# 14)

Sooo miserable!

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