What is Contrave: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Contrave

• Take Contrave as directed. 

• The doses will change in the first four weeks until a maintenance dose is reached.

• Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine.

• Take Contrave tablets with food or milk.

• Do not take Contrave with high-fat meals. This can increase the risk of seizures. 

• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

• Store Contrave tablets in a closed container at room temperature.

What to do if you miss a dose of Contrave

• If a dose is missed, skip it.

• Take the next dose as scheduled.

• Do not take extra tablets to make up for a missed dose.

Contrave contraindications

• Contrave is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you are pregnant or have:

  • A known allergy to naltrexone or bupropion

  • A seizure disorder

  • An eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia

  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure

Contrave is also contraindicated in anyone who is trying to stop using alcohol or certain types of drugs like opioids, anti-seizure medications, benzodiazepines, or barbiturates.

Contrave warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are taking Contrave tablets. 

• The doctor will need to schedule regular visits to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and spot possible side effects. Keep all appointments.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:

  • Kidney disease

  • Liver disease

  • Diabetes

  • Low blood sugar problems

  • A history of heart disease or heart attack

  • High blood pressure

  • A history of seizures

  • A head injury

  • An infection or tumor in the brain or spinal cord

  • A history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors

  • Depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental health disorders

  • An eating disorder

  • A history of drug or alcohol abuse

• Contrave can cause serious problems in some people, including:

  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

  • Increased risk of seizures

  • Increased heart rate

  • Liver problems

  • Low blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes

  • Changes in mood or behavior

  • Manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder

  • Angle-closure glaucoma

  • Severe allergic reactions

• Contrave is packaged with a boxed warning about the risk of suicide and the worsening of mental health disorders in people taking the drug. This primarily affects children, adolescents, and young adults. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you while taking this drug.

• People who use opioids, particularly illicit drugs, have a high risk of overdosing on these drugs. Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids, so people may unwittingly overdose to overcome this blocking effect.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. The prescriber will need to gradually reduce the dose over time to prevent withdrawal effects.

Contrave interactions

• Because of potentially hazardous drug interactions, Contrave can never be safely used with:

  • A class of drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)—any MAO inhibitor must be discontinued at least 14 days before Contrave treatment starts

  • Chronic use of opioids—Contrave cannot be started until seven to 10 days after the last dose of an opioid is taken

  • Any drug that contains bupropion

• To avoid other drug interactions, make sure the prescriber knows about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use, particularly:

  • Drugs that make you sleepy such as benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, allergy medications, anti-seizure medications, and others

  • Antidiarrheal medications

  • Antidepressants

  • Antipsychotic medications

  • Corticosteroids

  • Diabetes medications, including insulin

  • Beta blockers

  • Amantadine, clopidogrel, digoxin, efavirenz, levodopa, lopinavir, ritonavir, theophylline, ticlopidine

• Do not use heroin or other street opioids if you are taking Contrave. The risk of overdosing is very high because naltrexone blocks the effects of heroin and other street opioids.

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.