Wanting To Quit Taking Contrave (Page 3)
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I need to know how to stop taking contrave. Can I just quit cold turkey or do I wean off? If I wean off how do I do it?

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Re: Heather (# 9)

Hi Heather,

I’ve been on Contrave for 6 months. Ive lost 36 lbs and gained 5 back. I feel that my cravings are coming back. I also think that what I thought was a vestibular migraine (occasional but very bad dizziness, vomiting, brain fog) is really the side effects. So frustrated!

Heather P.

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Re: Sally (# 6)

I have been taking Contrave for 2 years. I lost 30 pounds and have been stuck for a while. I am going to discontinue using it and try something else.

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Re: Mechalle (# 115)

I'm in the same boat. I feel like death. I want to stop taking it but not sure how. I'm on week 3 & started taking the 2 pills in the am & 1 in the pm. I missed work yesterday & again today because I feel like I have the flu. It's horrible!! I'd rather be fat than to feel like this.

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Re: Teresa (# 11)

Yes my cravings are still there sometimes. I am almost to the end of my 2nd week. I have averaged losing about 1 pound per week. I still eat what I want/like but just a little and I'm good. I am now debating whether or not to purchase my 3rd go around. I would like to find something a little more effective and more cost friendly. The pharmacist at Wal-Mart suggested that I go online for coupons. I did and got 2 pharmacy cards at no charge. So I took both cards to Wal-mart pharmacy and each time purchase a 30 day supply of contrave for $99. One of the cards did not have much of a discount. $99 per month is quite a stretch for me. But losing the weight is not only a slow process but a painful one in many ways. I know this something I can do something about. I know I will feel much better like I did when I quit cold after 53 years of smoking and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Not pleasant at all!

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Re: Lauri (# 13)

I paid $99 with the discount card (at Walmart). With insurance it’s supposed to be $151.06.

The comment regarding bupropion is correct. Bupropion is classified as an antidepressant and Affects your brain chemistry. It should not be stopped without consulting your doctor. The best way to stop Wellbutrin/Buproion is by tapering off. If you’re not comfortable with consulting with your physician than simply do the step down process the way you started it that seems to be the safest route. So in other words, the way we tapered up but backwards.

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Re: Kris (# 101)

Does the hair loss get better - I have been taking for 6 months and my hair has severely thinned over the last month. I am wondering if the amount of hair loss eventually tapers off or if i need to stop the medication in order to see my hair grow back.

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I have been at the same weight for the past 2 months. I have been on Contrave for 6 months. I have lost 20 lbs but it just seems to be staying the same now. Also, I have to have rotator cuff surgery next week and was told to go off until after surgery. Can I just stop it cold turkey or do I need to wean off it? I need someone to let me know about this ASAP.

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Re: Sally (# 6)

I have been on it twice, the first time for eight months, lost 25 pounds and hit a plateau like you. Six month break where I gained 12 back, then again for six months losing the 12. I hope I’ve now changed my lifestyle enough that I can hold at 165.

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Re: Mechalle (# 110)

I tapered myself off the Contrave just as I had tapered myself on it in the beginning. I have never felt this bad on any medication I've ever taken and I've had chemo. I felt horrible. I had every side effect. But everyone's body is different. My body just responded so badly.

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Re: Stacia (# 111)

Have you ever tried slimex?I have a friend who swears by it..why does it take three months before you saw any weight loss? That seems like a long time. to me..Im just sick of cravings for moose tracks ice cream that leave me digging all night for swirls of fudge and peanut butter cups...its become a focus due to the surgery and leaving my husband.Reasons aside, doctors around here are quick to prescribe contrave or even low dose naltroxone but much harder to get something like phentermine which works quickly.I believe slimex contains sibutramine or something like that and I heard that its been taken off of the market.Does anyone know? Thanks!!

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Re: Hopelessly hopeful (# 18)

I feel the same way. I have constant nausea and it worsens every day. I thought it would subside but it has gotten worse. I haven't even lost any weight!

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My question is about contrave vs just taking low dose naltrexone for weight loss.I recently gained while recovering from laprascopic surgery..my doctor says that low doses of naltrexone can help speed weight loss without the negative side effects caused by bupronion...such as bad dreams. Has anyone tried low doses of naltrexone for weight loss?

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Re: Heather (# 2)

I’m sorry, but you did not receive appropriate information and instructions for using this medication. I have been taking Contrave for almost 2 years. My dr started me at 1 pill in the morning for 1 week. The next week I was to take 1 pill morn and 1 pill at night for 1 week. The following week increased to 2 in morn and 1 at night for one week and after gradually increasing the medication over about a month’s time I was at the 2 night and 2 day schedule. I have had no nausea or muscular reactions. My dr told me not to expect anything the first month or two, but by the end of the 3rd month I should see results. He was spot on 3 months later (thru thanksgiving and Christmas) I had lost about 10lbs. Over the nexts 4-5 months I continued losing and at that point had lost around 35 lbs. I have to admit, I haven’t been as focused on my food intake for the past several months and haven’t lost anymore, but I also have not gained it back. I had a wicked sweet tea addiction. This medication helped me to change that from 2 32oz teas daily to 1 32oz tea 2 or 3 days a week. I feel that my experience with the medication has been very successful. Perhaps going back and adjusting to the meds at the proper increments can help you. Regardless, I hope you find what works for you. There are several medications on the market now to assist in safe and healthy weight loss.

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Re: Heather (# 2)

Heather, I'm having the exact same symptoms. I too want to get off. I'm not even at the full dosage yet and I feel horrible. Did you find out whether or not you can just stop cold turkey?

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I read inContrave side effect section going off "cold turkey" can cause you to have a seizure. I would check with your doctor before going off the medication.

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Re: Crystal (# 4)

2.5 pounds in 5 months? That's crazy. You have to supplement the meds with diet and exercise. I've been on it 5 months and have lost 63 pounds. There's a weight percentage you're required to meet after the first 3 months to be eligible to continue taking it. Your doctor should've taken you off of it.

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Re: Diana (# 106)

I was taking two pills in the morning and one at night. The first week I dropped down to one in the morning and one at night. Second week I took one in the morning and none at night. Third and final week, I took one every other morning. I'm completely off now and feel normal.

I will admit there were some days that I was a bit foggy coming off.

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Re: Lulu (# 90)

I agree. That Contrave was the worst and costly. I pay $295.00 a month. It's terrible. My doctor doesn't know much about it so I'd like to find out how to ween off it because I have broken heart syndrome thanks to that Contrave. How did you ween off?

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Re: Heather (# 2)

Did anyone ever get back to you to tell you how yo stop taking Contrave? I have the same symptoms as you do and a headache every day. I have been taking it for less than a year.

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Re: Sally (# 6)

The first 3 months I lost 22 lbs.... I've been steady at this weight now for a month. I have to admit I do eat more than I was then,but my problem now is that it doesn't seem to be working like it did. Im good pretty much the whole day, but then at night I eat things I shouldn't, and didn't the 1st 3 months. I'm wondering why it has stopped working. I'd like to lose 5 more lbs,.

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