Contrave Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures ... - WebMD

Who should not take Contrave?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Contrave.

• Bupropion
• Naltrexone
• Contrave
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Contrave.

Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure. If you have high blood pressure (hypertension) that is not well controlled, you should not take Contrave. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if your blood pressure is under control.

Seizures or Suddenly Stopping Certain Medicines. You should not take Contrave if you currently have a seizure disorder or have had seizures in the past. You should not also not take Contrave if you were taking a medicine for seizures or a medicine known as a benzodiazepine or barbiturate and suddenly stop taking it. See the Interactions section for more details.

Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia. You should not take Contrave if you have either anorexia or bulimia, which are eating disorders. 

Alcohol Use Disorder. If you drink a lot of alcohol and suddenly stop drinking alcohol, you should not take Contrave. Your chance of having a seizure may be increased if you suddenly stop drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.

Drug Interactions. Contrave should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Contrave, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current Opioid Use and Dependence. People who are currently using prescription and/or illicit opioids, including buprenorphine, should not take Contrave. If you take Contrave while taking opioids, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may require you to go to the hospital. Opioid use can cause physical dependence, which means your body relies on the medicine. If you have flu-like symptoms or anxiety when you stop opioids, you may have physical dependence. Physical dependence is not necessarily a sign that you have developed a substance use disorder.  Before taking Contrave, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any use of prescription and/or illicit opioids. 

Opioid Withdrawal. You may have symptoms if you have been using prescription and/or illicit opioids and suddenly stop taking them. People who are in opioid withdrawal should not take Contrave. Tell your healthcare provider before you take Contrave if you have any of the following symptoms of opioid withdrawal. 

• Anxiety 
• Sleeplessness 
• Yawning
• Fever
• Sweating 
• Teary eyes 
• Runny nose 
• Goosebumps 
• Shakiness
• Hot or cold flushes 
• Muscle aches or twitches
• Restlessness
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps

What should I know about Contrave before using it?

Do not take Contrave unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed. Do not change your dose of Contrave without talking to your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about your weight loss while taking this medicine.

Do not share Contrave with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Contrave out of the reach of children.

Swallow Contrave tablets whole. Do not chew, cut, or crush Contrave.

People who are 65 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from Contrave. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

It is possible that you may be more sensitive to the effects of prescription or illicit opioids if you stop taking Contrave. Resuming the doses of opioids you were using before starting Contrave can be very dangerous and can potentially lead to death. You can also have a bad reaction where you stop breathing if you take opioids to try to overcome the effects of this medicine. Should you feel the need to use opioids while on or after stopping Contrave, contact your healthcare provider. 

It is very important that you stop taking opioids before taking Contrave. Tell your healthcare provider the last time you took any prescription or illicit opioid. Your healthcare provider needs to know this information to determine if it is safe for you to take Contrave. 

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Contrave?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Contrave is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Mental Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider about any history of mental health problems. One of the medicines in Contrave, bupropion, may increase your risk of suicidal thoughts and actions, especially when you first begin taking it. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any of the following.

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Previous suicide attempt or thoughts

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Diabetes or low blood sugar
• High blood pressure
• History of head trauma or seizure
• Stroke, heart attack, or heart problems
• Arteriovenous malformation
• Tumor or infection in your brain or spine
• Low levels of sodium in your blood (hyponatremia)
• Alcohol use disorder
• Substance use disorder

Pregnancy. Weight loss during pregnancy may cause fetal harm. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Stop taking this medicine if you become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Contrave passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Contrave.

How can I get more information about Contrave?

For more information about Contrave, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.contrave.com or call them at 877-298-8340.