{"id":3846,"date":"2019-03-11T20:17:23","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T00:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=3846"},"modified":"2025-12-23T12:44:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T17:44:57","slug":"contrave-vs-phentermine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/contrave-vs-phentermine\/","title":{"rendered":"Contrave vs. phentermine: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s the difference?<\/a> | Conditions treated<\/a> | Insurance & costs<\/a> | Efficacy<\/a> | Dosage<\/a> | Side effects<\/a> | Drug interactions<\/a> | Warnings<\/a> | FAQ<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Nearly three-quarters (73.6%) of adults 20 years and older are overweight (including <\/span>obesity<\/span><\/a>), and the percentage of adults with obesity is 42%, according to the<\/span> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> (CDC). Obesity can cause a number of<\/span> complications<\/span><\/a>, such as Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and sleep apnea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Healthcare professionals recommend a variety of methods to lose weight, most commonly<\/span> changing eating habits<\/span><\/a> and exercising. In some cases, they also recommend prescription weight-loss medication, counseling, or surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrave and phentermine are two medications for weight loss. Both are prescription weight-loss drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although both drugs are prescribed for weight reduction, they have many differences. This article will provide detailed information about both weight-loss medicines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>More FDA-approved weight-loss pills<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Contrave vs. phentermine: What\u2019s the difference?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nContrave<\/b><\/td>\nPhentermine<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nNaltrexone: opioid antagonist<\/span><\/p>\n

Bupropion: antidepressant<\/span><\/td>\n

Anorectic\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic\/brand name?<\/b><\/td>\nThe chemical name is naltrexone-bupropion, but there is no generic available<\/span><\/td>\nBrand names are Adipex, Adipex-P, Atti-Plex, Fastin, Ionamin, and Lomaira (not all are available in brand name). Also, Qsymia is a drug that contains phentermine in combination with topiramate.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nExtended-release tablet<\/span><\/td>\nCapsules, tablets<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nThe dosage is increased weekly over 4 weeks to 2 tablets by mouth twice a day, in the morning and evening (but not with a high-fat meal). The tablet should not be cut, chewed, or crushed.<\/span><\/td>\n15 to 37.5 mg by mouth every morning. The tablet may be split but not cut, crushed, or chewed.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term but exact amount of time varies. In clinical studies, participants took Contrave for up to 56 weeks.<\/span><\/td>\nShort-term: should be tapered when tolerance occurs, usually within a few weeks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults with a BMI of 30 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or more (obese) or 27 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or more (overweight) with at least one other weight-related risk factor.<\/span><\/td>\nAdults with a BMI of 30 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or more, or 27 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or more with at least one other weight-related risk factor\/comorbidity.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
More information<\/b><\/td>\nWhat is Contrave?<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nWhat is phentermine?<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What is Contrave?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Contrave is a prescription weight-loss medicine that is available as a brand-name only. You cannot buy Contrave over the counter. The way Contrave works for weight loss is not entirely understood. It is thought that the two ingredients in Contrave work on two separate areas of the brain that regulate food intake. Contrave should be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrave is a combination of naltrexone and bupropion. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, and bupropion is an antidepressant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike phentermine, Contrave is not a controlled substance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Antidepressant weight gain statistics<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What is phentermine?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Phentermine is a generic prescription drug used for weight loss. You cannot buy phentermine over the counter. Phentermine brand names include Adipex, Adipex-P, Atti-Plex, Fastin, Ionamin, and Lomaira. Phentermine is classified as an anorectic drug. It is a <\/span>stimulant<\/span><\/a> and acts similarly to amphetamine. Phentermine is thought to work by various mechanisms, including actions on the central nervous system (CNS), metabolic effects, and possibly as an appetite suppressant. Like Contrave, phentermine should be employed along with diet and exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Phentermine is a Schedule IV<\/span> controlled substance<\/span><\/a>, which means it has some potential for abuse and dependence.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are Contrave and phentermine used for?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Contrave is indicated<\/span><\/a> for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or more (obese) or 27 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or more (overweight) with at least one other weight-related risk factor, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It should be taken in addition to diet and exercise to achieve the best Contrave weight loss results.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Contrave contains bupropion, which is the ingredient in the antidepressant<\/span> Wellbutrin<\/span><\/a> and is also used for smoking cessation, Contrave is not indicated for depression or<\/span> smoking cessation<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Phentermine is indicated<\/span><\/a> as a short-term (several weeks) weight loss treatment. Adult patients with a BMI of 30 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or more\u2014or 27 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or more with at least one other weight-related risk factor\/comorbidity may be a candidate for a phentermine prescription. Like Contrave, phentermine should be taken along with diet and exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Best diet for weight loss<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Insurance coverage and cost comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n

Contrave is sometimes covered by insurance plans but is generally not covered by Medicare prescription plans. Without insurance or discounts, Contrave costs an average of $843 for 120, 8 mg\/90 mg tablets. <\/span>A <\/span>free coupon from SingleCare<\/span><\/a> can also lower the Contrave price to $614, depending on your pharmacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Get the SingleCare prescription discount card<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Generic phentermine is cheaper than brand-name Contrave. Although generic naltrexone and generic bupropion are available, generic Contrave, which contains both naltrexone and bupropion, is not yet available. Neither naltrexone nor bupropion should be used alone as a Contrave generic. A generic for Contrave may not be available until sometime in 2030.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Insurance and Medicare prescription plans do not usually cover phentermine. Phentermine without insurance costs about $51 for 30, 37.5 mg tablets. However, a <\/span>free SingleCare coupon<\/span><\/a> can lower the price to less than $10.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because insurance plans vary and can change, it is best to contact your insurance provider for up-to-date coverage information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Which is better: Contrave or phentermine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are no studies directly comparing phentermine versus Contrave. Drug selection is based on a variety of factors, such as other medical conditions, anticipated side effects and drug interactions, and insurance coverage. For example, a patient who does not have insurance coverage may be better suited for phentermine, which is relatively inexpensive. On the other hand, Contrave may be a better choice for a patient with a history of<\/span> substance use disorder<\/span><\/a>. Either way, diet and exercise are important to help with weight loss in addition to medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your healthcare professional can determine which, if any, drug is appropriate for you, taking into account your medical conditions, history, and drugs you take that could interact with Contrave or phentermine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrave reviews<\/span><\/h3>\n

In studies, over 56 weeks, the<\/span> average weight loss<\/span><\/a> in people taking Contrave was about 17 pounds. In these clinical trials, 42% of patients lost 5% or more of their body weight, 21% of patients lost 10% or more, and 10% of patients lost 15% or more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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