r/Contrave

I took the first dose of poor man’s contrave (Bupropion+naltrexone) yesterday morning in the middle of a meal (eggs and hash browns) and have had severe dizziness ever since. So much so that I skipped the dose today and don’t plan to continue it.

Is there anything you can take that can help with the dizziness? Everything I can find seems to be for nausea not dizziness.

Also anyone who quit due to dizziness how long did it take to get back to normal? I had to take off work the dizziness is severe and I don’t feel like I can drive or even function normally. But realize it’s only like one day off for me. I’ve contacted my doctor but not heard back so am hoping to find some advice or reassurance here.

I am also fairly sleepy and having some eye fatigue. I’ve checked blood pressure yesterday and it was fine. I’m not having nausea or constipation- just dizziness and maybe hot flashes (temp check ok). Appetite has also not returned but I am making sure I eat at normal times at least a small meal.

I feel like I am getting every possible side effect with contrave..now I have constipation!

I have tried prunes and kiwifruit juice and neither have done much despite them being my usual go to. Im worried about using any bulking agent like metamucil or psyllium husk as things are already stuck, I am not sure if I want to bulk stuff up just yet. What other natural laxatives have worked for you? I dont really want an actual medical laxative at this stage.

Thaaanks!!

I just got a referral to the weight loss clinic and it seems id have to pay out of pocket for any medication prescribed (so GLPs are out). Contrave seems intriguing but I'm worried the naltrexone component would make it hard to enjoy food while I'm eating it (I'm a foodie). Obviously I want the cravings and constant hunger to go away but when I'm in the middle of eating food I don't want it to taste "meh". Does contrave have that issue or no?

I’m starting 300mg bupropion and 16 mg naltrexone split into 2 doses. I’m seeing people say they basically don’t want to eat. So I’m wondering, are you able to push through? Or does it make you sick. I want to stop the mindless eating but I still need to make sure I’m getting 100mg of protein… will that be impossible with this medication?

Hi me again 🤪
Im on contrave ( generic bupropion+Nal)
I started week 2 this morning (300mg bup + 1/4 nal).
When did you start to see results? I lose like 1lbs since the beginning 😅🤷🏼‍♀️ (8 days)

For those who stopped or took a break longer than a month did you have any withdrawal or issues with mood or anxiety ?

I have been on Contrave for a month and a half . sw 290 cw 276 gw 215. It is working for me. I am only eating once a day and I am only taking two in the morning. I am afraid if I take the two in the evening I wouldn't eat at all. I have a healthier relationship with food and more mindful of what I am going to eat for that once meal. I can stomach to eat very much on it when I do.

Hello all, my doctor recently recommended I try taking Contrave to help me with binge eating disorder. I’ve always been apprehensive about taking medication but it seems I have tried every strategy and my issues are just getting worse. After my doctor recommended this medication I looked into it and it seems it’s more of a weight loss drug (for context my BMI is around 20-21 I have a decent amount of fat on me but I am not considered Obese). I am just wondering if anyone else has taken or been prescribed Contrave to combat BED and if it helped them?

For those who quit with cold turkey or tapering did you have withdrawals, I see most people do but my dr says it’s not known to cause them

I am trying to make the decision between Contrave and wegovy. I have gerd and sibo so we thought not affecting my digestion would be better. Its already slow and trying ppis lately make me vomit. Managing these has already ruled my life.

But I also have bad anxiety and panic issues. And I struggle with s*icidal thoughts in the past.

So I take clonazapam or Xanax as needed. I am afraid of the seizure risk here. Would I not be able to take them anymore?

I also worry if it would really help me. I dont know that I struggle with binge eating. I've been told I have lipedema and diet and exercise wont help me. I struggle to accept this because before covid I lost 80 pounds and sadly gained most back.

I have wondered if it would help my ocd or focus issues. Inflammation is a big issue.

Nothing to lose weight works like it used to. I could eat once a day and gain 2 pounds the next.

I just want to be losing like everyone else seems to. All the skinny people at my job are taking it but eating horribly. I feel like i try so hard and want to be successful too :(

I've been on half a maintenance dose of poor man's Contrave for about 9 weeks now. Some days, I could almost not eat. Today, for example, I let myself fast all day until the evening and had a small bowl of spinach artichoke chicken over rice. I'm still full hours later.

Then, other days, I feel famished. I still don't eat anywhere as much as I used to but definitely more than my low appetite days.

I enjoy fasting, not for weight loss, but because I have had GI issues since my gallbladder was removed many years ago. Fasting is a reprieve from the discomfort and it makes my body feel lovely.

That said, I don't want to lose a lot of weight at once and I'm not sure how to manage. Is it okay to go by hunger cues where I'm eating more and less on any given day or should I force myself to eat three meals a day? My doctor is unconcerned and pleased about my progress.

Does anyone else who is, or has been, on this medication ever felt like they just can't be bothered, and don't want to do anything.

Please don't come back and say "you're depressed", I'm actually fine in that regard, but I have noticed an apathy and a languidity since I've been on this.

I am slowly ramping up the Nal due to nausea and insomnia. Got up to 25mg a night and take 300bupe in the Am. My doc said the typical Nal dose in contrave is 36mg so I’m to add another 1/4 of a pill daily in the am if possible, (I’m splitting the 50mg tab of Nal). My doc said he is t real familiar with using these 2 meds this way but my insurance covers the bupe free and Nal is 10$ so much cheaper than contrave on my insurance. Anyway, I see most take 50mg of Nal.
Also I like to drink- a few glasses 👓 f wine (2) when out with friends sometimes it’s more but not often. Or 2 fancy cocktails-
I see Nal is hard on the liver. I don’t have alcohol issues and it’s fine not to drink but we go with friends to diff wineries etc regularly and also I’m nervous about being really sick if I have drinks. I include drinks in my calorie counts when we do go out. Mostly I’m worried about liver health.

I’m starting the generic version today! Stressed and excited,
Hope it will work in a couple of weeks 🤞🏻🤞🏻

hi everyone i’m f27, 5’2” and 225. my doctor recommended contrave for weight loss. she did say it would be a lifetime medication which already has me anxious
but i’m on 200mg of sertraline and 100mcg of levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. i have gnarly anxiety (especially about health go figure)

have any of you had negative mental health/extra anxiety from this? or fast heart rate? i’m highly considering starting because this weight is STUBBORN and the food noise is LOUD! i’ve never taken weight loss medication before

Hello everyone!

My doctor finally prescribed me Contrave (generic) and I am TERRIFIED to start . I am F30, 5’3”, 200 lbs. Plus, she told me that Contrave helps you lose about 5% of your weight. I’m wondering if it’s really worth taking it for just 10 lbs… I would love some positive story please 🙏🏻

I’m already active (10-15k steps per day ) and I’m going to start tracking my food again as well 🤞🏻

Thanks in advance !

Hi all! I’ve been taking Mysimba for one week now and I don’t think it’s working. The only thing I’ve noticed is a little nausea, being anxious at times and food tasting weird (?), but I don’t feel less hungry or have stopped binge eating, which is why it was prescribed to me. I’m frustrated cause all I’ve read is good things, that it works since day one, and I really want to stop bingeing, it’s been going for too long I’m exhausted.

Has anyone have a similar experience? Does it get better? Will it work? 🙏🥺

Thank you!

My doctor just added Naltrexone 50mg to my already prescribed Wellbutrin 150mg XL for depression. Is 50mg a lot?? It says on the bottle to take a half of the pill every day for two weeks then one half twice a day thereafter. Is that a high dose of Naltrexone to start with for weight loss?

Hi all! I am only on day 6 of contrave and I don't even want to take it today. Nausea is so bad. It was mild the first 3 days, 4th day I felt great, yesterday was awful and I still feel awful today. I have tried to eat small meals with little to no fat, thought that was working then nah. I do have some anti nausea medication at home and will probably have to take that. I am so tempted just to stop though, I am not sure all this nausea is worth it. How did you get over it and what did you do??