I took Contrave and lost 52 pounds in 10 months, which has put me back to my ideal body weight. The problem is that it has not been working after that 10 months. I don’t have any side effects, but have a ridiculous appetite now. Almost to the point of wanting to binge eat. Anybody else been on it a while and have it stop working? I’ve gained almost 10 pounds back in the last few months. I’m not sure whether to ask my doctor about stopping it, but I’m afraid my appetite will be even worse. Anybody?
MedlinePlus also goes on to note that patients should not take Contrave with a high-fat meal; as I presume that doing so may impair the drug’s absorption and overall efficacy.
On a side note, you are not the only people who have experienced such issues. Most people who have tried Contrave have reported eventually hitting a plateau period, where it seems to stop working for a while, but they have also said that it does start working again after about a month or so, though that can vary from person to person.
The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, anorexia, and mood changes.
Can anyone that's taken this chime in with their experience?
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Vixenvella Says:
Re: Verwon (# 2)
I took contrave for about 7 months lost about 18 lb then it just started not working and my blood pressure was getting increasingly higher even to the point where I would have to go on medication. Went off the contrave for 3 months and took Adipex basically just maintain the weight loss of 15 lb. I went off Adipex and started back on the contrave and I'm on week 4 just started the four pills a day and it doesn't seem to be doing anything. Any advice?
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Susie Says:
I am on week 3 of taking Contrave. I have seen no results. In fact it has increased my appetite and I am gaining weight. Depression is setting in now. I am so bummed out and don’t know what to do. I have changed up my diet and workout 3 times a week. My dr also has me on phentermine. When I was taking phentermine alone I lost over 30 pounds (of the baby weight I gained and couldn’t lose). I hit a plateau and my dr suggested this. I am trying to stay positive but it has been hard watching my hard work, work against me! I called my dr today and left a voicemail. Anyone else have this happen? All my hard work of losing the 30lbs just to start gaining it back has me super upset!
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Mretz Says:
Re: Verwon (# 2)
I am just where you folks were. I’ve been taking it since October and was doing great. Took my cravings away, made me not want any alcohol and no side effects. All of a sudden the cravings are back and I’ve gained 2/3 of my weight back in a month. Really depressed about it.
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slow go Says:
After 2 full months on contrave I've only had 2 pounds of weight loss. I have been wise about my eating. Has anyone else had this problem?
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Sheryl Says:
I have the same problem I have lost only 24# in 5 months and it stopped working l’m running out of options
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Damiana Says:
Yes! I’ve been taking it for two years. I lost 150 lbs and was within 10 lbs of my goal weight. Then a number of things happened in my life, and I have gained 30 of it back. I exercise religiously and try to eat well, but I know I’m eating more. And, I haven’t been able to say no to the sweets. I’m pretty stable at this higher weight, but it isn’t where I want to be.
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Damiana Says:
I had that problem with Meridia. I didn’t eat all for two weeks. Then I spent two weeks literally eating everything edible in sight. I haven’t had that problem with Contrave. The change has been much slower, but the appetite definitely has come back.Sammy123 (# 1) --
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Tom Says:
I've been taking contrave for 3 months, lost 10 pounds. Seems contrave does not curtail my appetite any more. Should I stop taking it for a while then restart?
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Donna Says:
Re: Verwon (# 2)
much hair loss along the front hair-line. Stopped taking after noticing this. Appetite has returned. Gaining weight again. Using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and biotin. Seeing hair returning. Afraid to take Contrave now. Help....
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Judi Says:
For how long does Contrave remain effective? I have been on it for 6 months and it seems to be much less effective. Is there a time period for taking Contrave?
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Patsy Says:
I’ve been taking Contrave for six months and have lost all the weight Inwsntrd to bIt was wonderful, my appetite went away I had to remember to eat. I went off Contrave for two months. My appetite returned but not to bad. But I still needed to lose more weight. I was put back on Contrave and it doesn’t have the same effect as it did the first time. Has anyone had this problem? Has anyone ever had their contrave increased? Has anyone had the same problem? Please let me know.
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Christine Says:
Re: Damiana (# 8)
I had a similar experience. I lost 76 pounds in the first year and an additional 10 the second year. I'm now on the 3rd year and have gained back 11 pounds. I have cravings worse than I ever had and have no idea how to stop them. It's definitely discouraging, especially after how amazing I felt before.
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Patsy Says:
I stopped taking it after achieving my ideal weight. A few months passed and I was eating everything. I went back on Contrave to no avail. It wasn’t working. What happens ?
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Tawktame Says:
Re: Patsy (# 15)
I've been on Contrave since Dec 4, 2018. I lost the majority of my weight the first 4 to 6 weeks (about 20 pounds). The past three weeks I've had little, if any, weight loss and my appetite and cravings are coming back.
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Frustrated Says:
I lost 60 lbs in a year and a half. Didn't want sweets or alcohol, felt amazing. Then one day the cravings came back and I cannot stop eating. It's worse than before and I'm gaining the weight back, 10 lbs in last 4 weeks. Looks like we're not alone but sure wish I was seeing a solution on here.
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Patricis Says:
Why are you asking us to talk about how Contrave is now not working ??? Why isn’t the manufacturer telling us why ? I can complain all day and post it so others in my shoes can add to it. We want answers.
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Netty Says:
Same. I started May 2018 and I stopped losing November. Down 30 pounds and yes I’m starving
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Dee Says:
Re: slow go (# 6)
I started Contrave on 12/4/18 and lost about 23 pounds in an 8 week period. At around the 8-week mark (January 21, 2019) was when my weight loss completely stopped. I have been on the script for 6 months and have had NO weight loss since January. Doc said I have plateaued and he said I could now stop taking the medication because it will no longer work. I asked if I could just stop taking this medication abruptly and he said YES? Hmm...I don't know about that. You just don't stop taking an anti-depressant with no side effects. I'm finishing my last script and calling it quits. The meds are doing absolutely nothing for me. I have my full appetite back and all my night-time cravings are back, too. Contrave did work and I lost the weight I wanted to lose, but it does stop working. Mind you, this was following a 1200 calorie a day diet. The 1200 calories daily was doable the first 8 weeks and after that my appetite and cravings all came back with a vengeance. There's very little positive feedback with Contrave. Results are minimal. I don't think this medication is for anyone who is "obese" and looking to lose an extraordinary amount of weight. You may be able to reach that goal by implementing a calorie deficit while taking the medication. If you're looking to lose about 15 to 25 pounds this medication may be helpful in reaching that goal. I've read where people have been on the meds a year and only lost 18 to 20 pounds?? Not sure if that sort of weight loss is worth the cost of the script and the amount of pills you have to take daily (this medication is an antidepressant (Wellbutrin) and also contains Naltrexone (used to blocks the effects of opioids)). I am a 51 year old woman going through menopause. I am currently on Effexor for hot flashes (works GREAT for hot flashes - horrible to come off that medication though). Anyhow, once I started taking Contrave the Effexor stopped working immediately and my hot flashes are all but unbearable. That's my story. I hope it was helpful.
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62
Jen Says:
Re: Mretz (# 5)
I am with you 100% I already have a crappy self esteem and I was so excited to lose weight and it was working! And then stopped. I’m still taking it and also picked up drinking lots of water and working out 3-4 days a week. And…I gained 2 pounds this week. And I’m tired of the “experts” asking if I’m watching what I eat, getting enough sleep, water, exercise..YES to all of that. Please give us some actual help-we already know to look for that or we wouldn’t be on it and paying monthly which is expensive. Worth it if it works.
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Jen Says:
Oh and I’m afraid to stop taking it too. Very.
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Jen Says:
I lost 30 pounds when I first started taking it! I was so excited! I’m in my forties so it’s not as easy as it used to be. I even started exercising. I have actually gained weight since that weight loss-the whole 30lbs back and I am on the 4 tablets a day dose. I’m about to give up.
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Ria Says:
Re: slow go (# 6)
I have had the same problem - been on 2 months with a 3 lb weight loss - but what's weird my clothes fit better which is a postive - but now nothing - feel hungry and I can see it in my face --- so disappointed
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Ria Says:
I have only been on for just over a month and it stopped working - so discouraging. Not sure what to do nex
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BM Says:
Hi, I’ve been takeing Contrave for about 9 weeks now first 5weeks I lost 11 pounds but since then I’ve kinda hit a platue but still seems to be loosing some inches I don’t exercise scatter walk so his this normal.
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Monica Says:
Re: Damiana (# 8)
My sweet tooth has been crazy the last year, too!
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Di Ane Says:
Re: Red (# 35)
Which one worked for you?
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Di Ane Says:
Re: Polly (# 50)
Polly, how have things been going? I have had a similar response but I don't want to go off of it just yet. Down 7 pounds in 3 months of being at full dosage. No side effects just not working too well.
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Stefani Says:
Re: Red (# 35)
If you don’t mind me asking, what did you have better luck with?
