{"id":628653,"date":"2024-06-19T12:52:45","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T16:52:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628653"},"modified":"2025-02-19T15:55:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T20:55:22","slug":"contrave-vs-wegovy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/contrave-vs-wegovy\/","title":{"rendered":"Contrave vs. Wegovy: Differences, similarities & side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Excess body weight can be a serious health concern, with many individuals seeking support beyond diet and exercise. Contrave<\/a> and Wegovy<\/a> are two brand-name prescription drugs <\/span>approved for weight management<\/span><\/a> in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) or Type 2 diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While these medications share a common goal, they differ in their active ingredients, dosages, how they work, and potential side effects. Insurance coverage and cost for these treatments can vary, as insurance companies don\u2019t usually cover weight-loss medications. It\u2019s important to discuss weight-loss treatments with a healthcare provider to determine the best option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between Contrave and Wegovy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrave vs. Wegovy: Key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n

Contrave is a prescription medication that combines two active ingredients: bupropion and naltrexone. Bupropion is primarily known as an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid, while naltrexone is used to treat alcohol and opioid dependence. The combination of naltrexone and bupropion is believed to work by targeting specific areas in the brain to <\/span>reduce appetite and control cravings<\/span><\/a>. Contrave comes as an extended-release tablet that\u2019s usually taken in the morning and evening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is a <\/span>glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist<\/span><\/a>. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide mimics a hormone that targets areas of the brain involved in managing appetite. Semaglutide, initially approved to treat Type 2 diabetes under the brand name <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a>, can be used to promote weight loss. Unlike Contrave, Wegovy comes as a <\/span>weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Contrave vs. Wegovy: Comparing key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nContrave<\/b><\/td>\nWegovy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nOpioid antagonist\/antidepressant<\/span><\/td>\nGLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand only<\/span><\/td>\nBrand only<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nNaltrexone\/bupropion<\/span><\/td>\nSemaglutide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nExtended-release oral tablet<\/span><\/td>\nSubcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n1 tablet every morning during the first week, then 1 tablet every morning and evening during the second week, then 2 tablets every morning and 1 tablet every evening during the third week, then 2 tablets every morning and 2 tablets every evening during the fourth week and onward<\/span><\/td>\n0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks, then the dosage is gradually increased to 1.7 or 2.4 mg once weekly<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 12 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Contrave vs. Wegovy: Conditions treated<\/span><\/h2>\n

Contrave and Wegovy are used for chronic weight management in adults with a significant body mass index (BMI). They are prescribed to individuals who struggle with obesity or are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, or Type 2 diabetes. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or greater are considered to have obesity, while those with a BMI of 27 or greater are considered to be overweight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrave is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss in <\/span>adults only<\/span><\/a>. Wegovy is FDA approved for weight loss in adults and children <\/span>12 years and older<\/span><\/a> with obesity and adults who are overweight. In addition to weight management, Wegovy is also approved to <\/span>reduce the risk of heart attacks<\/span><\/a>, strokes, and other cardiovascular events in people with obesity or who are overweight and have heart disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither drug is a cure for obesity or any other health conditions, but they may support weight loss goals as part of a broader treatment plan that includes a <\/span>calorie-restricted diet<\/span><\/a>, physical activity, and lifestyle changes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Contrave vs. Wegovy: Comparing conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nContrave<\/b><\/td>\nWegovy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight management for patients with a BMI of 30 or greater\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight management for patients with a BMI of 27 or greater with at least one weight-related health condition<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease-related death in people with heart disease<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Which is better: Wegovy or Contrave for weight loss?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Wegovy and Contrave have both been shown to be more effective than placebo in clinical trials. Various studies have promoted weight loss in people with obesity or who are overweight. However, Wegovy may lead to more weight loss than Contrave.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 56-week COR-I trial studied the use of Contrave in patients with a BMI of 27 or higher and found that participants taking a combination of naltrexone and bupropion lost an <\/span>average of 4.8% more weight<\/span><\/a> than those given a placebo. Additionally, 48% of those on the treatment lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared with only 16% of those on the placebo.<\/span><\/p>\n

The STEP 1 study evaluated the effects of Wegovy in people with a BMI of 27 or higher and found that participants using Wegovy lost an <\/span>average of 12.4% more weight<\/span><\/a> than those in the placebo group. In addition, 86.4% of those on the treatment lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared with only 31.5% of those on the placebo.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are limited head-to-head trials comparing Wegovy and Contrave. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider who can consider various factors when recommending the most appropriate treatment option.<\/span><\/p>\n

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