Would you like to lose a few pounds? Who wouldn’t? According to the CDC over 70% of Americans are overweight or obese. But shedding pounds and keeping them off is really hard. Sometimes a chemical crutch seems so tempting. Why not try a pill that could tame the appetite? Some headlines suggest that Contrave for weight loss might be the drug people have been waiting for. How good is it?
Why Don’t Drugs Work More Predictably?
Medications are different from most other consumer items. If you are in the market for a dishwasher, for example, Consumer Reports will tell you which one does the best job cleaning dishes and how much noise it will make. You can ask friends or neighbors about the cars they drive and assume that those vehicles will perform pretty much the same for you.
You can’t do that with medicines. Although drugs are promoted as though we will all get the same benefits of cholesterol control, lower blood pressure or weight loss, for example, in reality people react differently. What works well for one person might be totally ineffective for another.
The Adverse Reaction Roulette Game:
In addition, side effects may vary. Doctors know that ACE inhibitors like lisinopril or ramipril can cause an uncontrollable cough, dizziness, diarrhea, headache and changes in kidney function. But not everyone experiences these problems. In fact, most people taking an ACE inhibitor to reduce their blood pressure do just fine.
How Does Contrave for Weight Loss Work?
Reactions to the weight loss drug Contrave offer a prime example of variability. This pill contains two active ingredients: an antidepressant called bupropion and an opioid blocker called naltrexone.
Bupropion (Zyban) is also prescribed to help people quit smoking and naltrexone (Vivitrol) is used to treat alcohol dependence. The idea is that the combination of ingredients in Contrave will reduce hunger and control cravings.
Highly Variable Responses to Contrave for Weight Loss:
Readers have reported a wide range of experience with this medication. One person was thrilled:
“I have been using Contrave for six months and have lost 50 pounds, which is 13 percent of my starting weight. Taking this diet pill has curbed my appetite enough to help me stay on a 1200-calorie diet. I’m doing water aerobics twice a week for exercise.
“Because of Contrave, for $60 a month I have avoided paying $13,000 for weight loss surgery, which makes me very happy.”
Another reader was extremely disappointed:
“I have been on Contrave for three months. In that time, I have gained 20 pounds. I didn’t experience any severe side effects, but it did make my hands tremble. For me, it was a waste of time and money.”
For other people, the experience may be mixed:
“This medication was prescribed by my endocrinologist more than three weeks ago. I’ve noticed reduced cravings and a better mood. On the other hand, I have many side effects like vertigo, dizziness, drowsiness, vivid dreams, upset stomach, nausea and increased hair loss. I am stopping this medicine due to the side effects.”
A different reader had quite a distinct reaction:
“I am surprised that anyone has had negative results. I have been on Contrave for about a year. I exercise and eat well, and I have lost about 60 pounds. For me, it wasn’t so much for weight loss as for cravings. I had found my craving for wine was a little too much. I can’t stand the taste of any alcohol now. I think this drug is wonderful to curb cravings.”
Contrave Side Effects:
Some people find Contrave side effects unbearable. Common reactions include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, diarrhea, anxiety, hot flashes, fatigue, tremor, ringing in the ears and stomachache.
Readers Share Contrave Side Effect Stories:
Darrell in Kansas explains why he lost weight:
“I am 55 and have been on Contrave only five days. During that time I lost four pounds. I think it’s because of the terrible nausea and diarrhea. I am not sure I can continue taking this drug. The side effects are terrible. I am a realtor and this is my busy time of year. I cannot sell houses if I am running to the bathroom all the time!”
Denise in Virginia had some worrisome Contrave side effects:
“I started taking Contrave seberal weeks ago. I experienced a lot of side effects including dry mouth, nausea, vomiting and hot flashes. I lost about 9 pounds. Then I started having some lower back pain. I wondered if it could be a urinary tracvt infection. I had my urine checked. The lab discovered that there was bilirubin in my urine. That could mean I was developing liver problems.”
“I have stopped taking Contrave. I haven’t taken it for very long so I am hoping that there isn’t any permanent damage and the Contrave side effects will reverse.”
Tracy in Forth Worth, Texas had ringing in the ears:
“I am a 52-year-old woman. I am tall but at 236 pounds needed to lose a lot of weight. I started taking Contrave last November. I lost 11 pounds in two weeks. I also was able to stop smoking and drinking. The drug took away my urge for either.’
“In February I experienced constant ringing in my ears. There was also nausea, vomiting, insomnia, headaches and dizziness. I also became constipated and dehydrated. I’m done!
“I have not lost any more weight and in fact have gained back 3 pounds. I only take two Contrave in the morning. Two days ago I bumped that up to 4 to see how it would work. I got the worst headache and dizziness yet. I can’t function like this! I am going to stop. I just filled another prescription at $99.00 a pop. I can honestly say I have never paid so much to feel so bad. Something is wrong with this picture.”
People’s Pharmacy Perspective:
Doctors can’t predict who will get great benefit from Contrave and who will suffer intolerable Contrave side effects. As with most medicines, patients can learn their unique reactions only by trial and error. If you experience side effects, contact the prescriber promptly.
Learn more about Contrave Side Effects: Benefits and Complications of Weight Loss Pill at this link.
https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/contrave-side-effects-benefits-and-complications-of-weight-loss-pill/comment-page-6/#comments
Share your own Contrave experience (positive or negative) in the comment section below.
