Contrave is a weight loss drug that has been available in the USA since 2014 and in the UK since 2015. A doctor’s prescription is required in both countries. Contrave cannot be bought over-the-counter.
Doctors who need to treat obese patients have a number of drugs at their disposal and most of them, including Orlistat and Belviq, only contain one active ingredient.
Contrave is a little different because each capsule provides a combination of the drugs Naltrexone and Buprion.
Both drugs work on the mind rather than the body and, when used individually, they appear to support the weight loss process.
When combined they work in a synergetic way, and each enhances the other’s abilities, but both drugs have been linked to side effects so it is not surprising that their pairing has resulted in a drug that can prove to be problematic to some users.
Contrave and Its Potential
A comparison of scientific study results suggests Contrave may be more powerful than the prescription weight loss drug Belviq, but not as effective as Qsymia.
When compared, the data showed the use of Belviq had encouraged a weight loss of 3%, but volunteers using Qsymia had reduced their weight by 9%, suggesting it may be three times more powerful than Belviq.
Contrave was somewhere in the middle, with users showing an average weight reduction of 5%.
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What is Contrave and How Does it Work?
Contrave appears to be capable of influencing the neural activity that relates to feelings of hunger and reducing the desire for food.
It’s ability to provide appetite suppression was tested in a number of clinical trails, involving 4,500 obese volunteers (with and without weight-related health problems).
All the volunteers exercised regularly and consumed a restricted calorie diet during the 12-month study period.
At the end of the study the Contrave group members showed an average weight loss that was 4.1% higher than the members of the placebo group.
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Who is Contrave for?
Contrave is only approved for use by people who are making a serious effort to lose weight, so the drug must be used alongside diet and exercise.
Patients also need to have gained a significant amount of weight in order to qualify for a prescription and other considerations may need to be taken into account.
Contrave might not be suitable for people who suffer from certain medical conditions, or are using specific medications, but anyone who has a BMI of 30 or higher may be eligible for a Contrave prescription.
The official guidelines also permit people with a slightly lower level of obesity (BMI 27+) to qualify for a prescription, but only if they also have a health condition, such as high blood pressure, that may improve if they were to successfully slim down.
Suitability Issues
Contrave is not intended for women who are pregnant or for people who suffer from eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia.
Nor is is suitable for anyone who suffers from seizures, has high blood pressure, a history of cardiovascular problems, or certain other medical conditions. People who are taking some types of medication may also be unable to try and lose weight with Contrave.
Contrave Side Effects
Contrave is capable of causing a number of side effects and some of them are particularly worrying:
- Severe allergic reaction
- Increases in blood pressure
- Racing heart
- Liver damage or hepatitis
- Manic episodes
- Thoughts of suicide
- Visual problems and pain to the eyeballs
More commonly encountered problems include:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
Contrave in a Nutshell
Contrave is a prescription weight loss drug that is only prescribed to people who have a high degree of obesity.
It has proven to be an effective appetite suppressant, but it is not suitable for people who are taking some types of medication or have certain medical conditions. Contrave usage has also be linked to numerous side effects, some of which are quite serious.