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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about CONTRAVE and weight loss

There’s a lot to know about CONTRAVE, our savings programs, and other opportunities to save—so we understand if you have questions. You can find answers below.

For more information about CONTRAVE, please see the Medication Guide or call one of our customer service representatives at 1-800-905-5576.

About CONTRAVE

CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medication that may help adults who are living with obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or greater), or who are overweight (BMI of 27 or greater) with at least 1 weight-related medical condition, lose weight and keep the weight off. CONTRAVE should be used along with diet and  exercise.

CONTRAVE is a unique, proprietary combination of 2 drugs—naltrexone and bupropion—within a single extended-release pill clinically proven to help you lose weight and keep it off when combined with diet and exercise. CONTRAVE is the only prescription medication that contains naltrexone in an extended-release, oral formulation.
The individual medications of naltrexone and bupropion are not the same dose or formulation used in CONTRAVE and are not approved for weight loss when used on their own.

The exact neurochemical effects of CONTRAVE leading to weight loss are not fully understood.
CONTRAVE is believed to work in 2 areas of the brain—the hypothalamus (your hunger center) to help reduce hunger and the mesolimbic reward system to help control cravings—that can get in the way of weight loss.
CONTRAVE is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) or with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) who have at least 1 weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It is to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

CONTRAVE is not for everyone. Do NOT take CONTRAVE if you:

  • have uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • have or have had seizures
  • use other medications that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN® (bupropion hydrochloride) pills, WELLBUTRIN SR® (bupropion hydrochloride) sustained-release pills, WELLBUTRIN XL® (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release pills), APLENZIN® (bupropion hydrobromide extended-release pills), and ZYBAN® (bupropion hydrochloride) sustained-release pills
  • have or have had an eating disorder called anorexia (eating very little) or bulimia (eating too much and vomiting to avoid gaining weight)
  • are dependent on opioid pain medications, use medications to help stop taking opioids, or are in opioid withdrawal
  • drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, or use medications called sedatives (these make you sleepy), benzodiazepines, or anti-seizure medications and you abruptly stop using them
  • are taking medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including linezolid. Do NOT start CONTRAVE until you have stopped taking your MAOI for at least 14 days
  • are allergic to naltrexone or bupropion or any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in CONTRAVE

See the Medication Guide to learn more.

Across multiple clinical studies, patients who were overweight or living with obesity who took CONTRAVE with diet and exercise lost 2-4x more weight over 1 year than with diet and exercise alone.*

Nearly half of the people taking CONTRAVE lost 5% or more weight and kept it off (vs 23% of people taking placebo).*

One of the most important things to know when starting CONTRAVE (or any weight-loss program) is that success looks different for each person. How fast this success happens for you and how many inches you lose or pounds you drop will depend on your body and the lifestyle modifications you make. It is important to take CONTRAVE as prescribed for 4 months (16 weeks) so you and your healthcare provider can determine if you’re on track to achieving weight-loss success.

According to 3 multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (body mass index [BMI] greater than or equal to 30, or BMI greater than or equal to 27 with at least 1 comorbidity of hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type 2 diabetes) conducted to evaluate the effect of CONTRAVE in conjunction with reduced caloric intake and increased physical activity, the average percentage of weight loss in patients at 56 weeks ranged from 3.7% to 8.1% with CONTRAVE, compared to 1.3% to 4.9% with placebo. The percentage of patients who achieved a clinically meaningful treatment response (defined as achieving at least 5% weight loss after 1 year of treatment) ranged from 36% to 57% with CONTRAVE, compared to 17% to 43% with placebo.

We are grateful to have worked with real people who lost weight on CONTRAVE and to have helped them share their experiences. You can read their stories on our Success Stories page or on The CONTRAVE Chronicles Blog.

Individual results may vary.

If you’ve experienced success with CONTRAVE and would like to share your story, you can submit one here. (Thank you in advance!)

For best results, take CONTRAVE as directed by your healthcare provider. Most people begin with 1 pill each morning during the first week and gradually work their way up to 2 pills twice a day by week 4. Always take CONTRAVE exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may change your dose as needed.

Not actual pill size.

It’s important to take CONTRAVE exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes it. Keep in mind that some people, like those with kidney or liver problems or those taking certain other medications, may need to follow a different dosing schedule.

Your healthcare provider should tell you to stop taking CONTRAVE if you have not lost a certain amount of weight after 16 weeks of treatment.

  • Do not take more than 2 pills at the same time or more than 4 pills in 1 day
  • Do not take CONTRAVE with high-fat meals. It may increase your risk of seizures

To learn more about dosing, see the  Medication Guide.

The most common side effects reported with CONTRAVE include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping (insomnia), dry mouth, and diarrhea. These are not all the possible side effects of CONTRAVE. For more information on side effects, see the Medication Guide.

People experienced side effects more often during the first 4 weeks of taking CONTRAVE. This is also the period when people taking CONTRAVE are slowly increasing the dose of the medication to a maintenance phase. Common gastrointestinal-related adverse events such as nausea and vomiting were generally temporary and resolved quickly.

It is not recommended to drink alcohol while taking CONTRAVE (but there are plenty of delicious mocktail recipes on The CONTRAVE Chronicles Blog).

If you’re experiencing any unwanted side effects of your medication, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider or pharmacist—they can give you personalized guidance.

In general, it is recommended that you drink plenty of water when taking CONTRAVE. If you experience nausea, you may also want to eat a small amount of dry toast with CONTRAVE. If symptoms do not improve, please consult with your healthcare provider who may also recommend an over-the-counter antinausea medication for you.

For more information on managing some of the more common side effects, please visit What to Expect. Also see the Medication Guide.

If you experience any of the following, stop taking CONTRAVE and tell your healthcare provider right away:

  • suicidal thoughts or actions
  • seizures (you should not take CONTRAVE again if you have a seizure)
  • risk of opioid overdose (1 of the ingredients in CONTRAVE [naltrexone] can increase your chance of having an opioid overdose if you take opioid medications while taking CONTRAVE)
  • sudden opioid withdrawal (people who take CONTRAVE must not use any type of opioid for at least 7-10 days before starting CONTRAVE)
  • severe allergic reaction (signs and symptoms include rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, chest pain, or trouble breathing)
  • increase in blood pressure or heart rate
  • liver damage or hepatitis (symptoms include stomach-area pain lasting more than a few days, dark urine, yellowing of the whites of your eyes, or tiredness)
  • manic episodes
  • visual problems (symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling, or redness in or around the eye)
  • low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with type 2 diabetes who also take medications to treat their diabetes (such as insulin or sulfonylureas)

See the full Prescribing Information for CONTRAVE or the Medication Guide to learn more about the possible side effects of CONTRAVE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatchwww.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

About prescriptions for CONTRAVE

Depending on how your prescription for CONTRAVE was originally filled, the refill process will differ slightly:

  1. Look at your bottle of CONTRAVE. Do you see a pharmacy name and phone number on the bottle? That’s your pharmacy.
  2. Did you get your prescription for CONTRAVE from a local pharmacy? If yes, contact them directly. If you are interested in using the CurAccess™ Patient Support Program and paying $99 or less + free shipping, click here.
  3. If you used the online Get CONTRAVE Now® healthcare provider consult, your prescription would have been fulfilled by UpScript Pharmacy, Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy, Lombard Pharmacy, or Professional Arts Specialty Pharmacy. Please contact the respective pharmacy to refill your prescription:

The individual medications of naltrexone and bupropion are not the same dose or formulation used in CONTRAVE and are not approved for weight loss when used on their own. Get the real deal—verify your prescription for CONTRAVE with the images below.

If your medication or pill bottle does not look like this, you do not have a prescription for CONTRAVE. There is no generic equivalent to CONTRAVE on the market today. If you think you may have been given generics of the separate ingredients (naltrexone and bupropion), please contact your healthcare provider.

Support, savings, and insurance coverage for CONTRAVE

To help you reach your weight-loss and healthy-living goals with CONTRAVE, we’re continually developing new support. Check out The CONTRAVE Chronicles Blog for healthy recipes, self-care tips, and more. Our Resource Center has even more content on weight loss, healthy living, and healthy lifestyles.

If you’re more of an email person, you can sign up here to receive informational communications from CONTRAVE. You can also follow CONTRAVE on social media—we’re on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

You are not eligible if your prescriptions are paid by any state or federally funded programs, including, but not limited to, Medicare or Medicaid, Medigap, VA or DOD, or TRICARE, or where prohibited by law.

Additionally, the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card cannot be used if you are purchasing your prescription through the Get CONTRAVE Now® online consult or the CurAccess™ Patient Support Program. However, if you are a Medicare Part D or TRICARE beneficiary, you could receive the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card benefits if your prescription will be processed with the assumption that you are a cash-paying customer.

To learn more about eligibility, visit the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card Terms and Conditions page.

Yes, you can get a similar discount whether you pick up your prescription at your pharmacy or receive it through the mail from your pharmacy. You could also obtain CONTRAVE through the CurAccess™ Patient Support Program. With the CurAccess Program, you will pay $99 or less + get free shipping to any of the 50 states.

If your insurance covers CONTRAVE, you may pay as little as $20* with the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card. If you don’t have insurance or if your insurance doesn’t cover CONTRAVE, you will pay no more than $199.*

To get CONTRAVE at a guaranteed low price, you can use the CurAccess™ Patient Support Program. Depending on your insurance coverage, you will pay $99 or less + get free shipping on your prescription for CONTRAVE.

To learn more about eligibility, visit the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card Terms and Conditions page.
You can sign up for the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card here. If you are having trouble signing up online, call 1-800-905-5576 for assistance.
Once you sign up for the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card here, you will be able to download it right away online. Keep a copy on your phone, print it, or take a picture of the card with your smartphone and bring it with you the first time you fill your prescription. Once you use your CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card at the pharmacy, you do not need to bring it again. The pharmacy will keep your card information on file.
You don’t need a replacement card if your pharmacy already has your information on file. Call your pharmacy to check. If they don’t have your information, call 1-800-905-5576 for assistance.
If you still have your card on hand, you can give your new pharmacy the same card ID number. If you’ve lost the card, call 1-800-905-5576 for assistance. If you’re switching to another pharmacy location within the same pharmacy chain, your information should still be in the pharmacy’s system.
Contact your local pharmacist and ask them to check your insurance coverage for CONTRAVE. Or you can contact Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy or call them at 1-800-630-3214 .
If your insurance covers CONTRAVE, you may pay as little as $20* with the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card. If you don’t have insurance or if your insurance doesn’t cover CONTRAVE, you will pay no more than $199.*

If you have private health insurance that covers CONTRAVE, pricing may vary. Ask your local pharmacist to check your insurance coverage for CONTRAVE.

To get CONTRAVE at a guaranteed low price, you can use the CurAccess™ Patient Support Program. The CurAccess Program helps patients save on CONTRAVE. Depending on your insurance coverage, you will pay $99 or less + get free shipping. Contact Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy or call them at 1-800-630-3214.

To learn more about eligibility, visit the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card Terms and Conditions page.
Use the CurAccess™ Patient Support Program to save on CONTRAVE. You will pay $99 or less on your prescription for CONTRAVE and receive free shipping through the program. CurAccess’s partner pharmacy, Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy, will help you determine your best option.

The steps to use the CurAccess Program are as follows:

  1. Create an account with our partner pharmacy, Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy. Visit Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy or call them at 1-800-630-3214 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT) to register via phone.
  2. Call your pharmacist and let them know that you would like to transfer your prescription to Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy. Please be sure that you have your healthcare provider’s name, address, and phone number in case they need such information.
  3. Give them the full name “Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy” (2824 Hwy 93 North, Victor, MT 59875) as the pharmacy of choice (NCPDP#: 2706488).
We no longer feature the login and account sections on this website. To help simplify your experience using CONTRAVE, you may sign up for the CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card without a username and password. If you have questions, please call 1-800-905-5576.

Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC, the company that brings you CONTRAVE, respects your right to have personal and medical information kept confidential. Only Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC and its third-party partners will use your information.

Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC and companies providing services to Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC will not sell or rent your personally identifiable information, as described in our Privacy Policy.

Getting a prescription for CONTRAVE online

Setting up an online consultation is easy. Simply click here to visit a consult site offered by one of our partners where you can set up an account and your medical profile.

Your profile will be reviewed and you will be notified if you are a potential candidate for a prescription for CONTRAVE. Depending on what state you live in, you will then be asked to participate in a video or telephone consultation with a healthcare provider. Only a healthcare provider can determine if CONTRAVE is right for you.

The Get CONTRAVE Now® service and participating healthcare providers are independent and not employees or contractors of Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC.

The CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card cannot be used for prescriptions filled through the online healthcare provider consult option.

The $45 consult fee is a one-time payment for your online healthcare provider visit, which might be similar to the standard fee (or co-pay) you would incur for an in-person healthcare provider visit. You should check with your insurance provider to determine if the consult fee can be reimbursed by your specific plan.

Choosing the online consultation may make the process of getting started on CONTRAVE easier or more convenient. It is possible your healthcare provider may request follow-up consults for an additional fee.

Patients who use the Get CONTRAVE Now service will receive a discount on the retail pharmacy price. Your prescription for CONTRAVE will cost $99 or less per month with free shipping. Our Get CONTRAVE Now partners will also check if you have insurance coverage, which may also lower the cost of your prescription.

You are not eligible if your prescriptions are paid by any state or federally funded programs, including, but not limited to, Medicare or Medicaid, Medigap, VA or DOD, or TRICARE, or where prohibited by law.

The CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card cannot be used for prescriptions filled through Get CONTRAVE Now.

Local pharmacy pickup is not currently available.

About the CurAccess™ Patient Support Program

The CurAccess Program helps patients save on CONTRAVE. Depending on your insurance coverage, you will pay $99 or less + get free shipping on your prescription for CONTRAVE through the program.

The steps to use the CurAccess Program are as follows:

  1. Create an account with our partner pharmacy, Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy. Visit Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy or call 1-800-630-3214 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT) to register via phone.
  2. Call your pharmacist and let them know that you would like to transfer your prescription to Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy. Please be sure that you have your healthcare provider’s name, address, and phone number in case they need that information.
  3. Give them the full name “Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy” (2824 Hwy 93 North, Victor, MT 59875) as the pharmacy of choice (NCPDP#: 2706488).

Yes, we offer both special pricing and free shipping through our CurAccess Program. Depending on your insurance coverage, you will pay $99 or less + get free shipping on your prescription for CONTRAVE.

If you participated in the Get CONTRAVE Now® online consultation service, free shipping would have been set up directly for you, with no further action needed.

The CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card cannot be used for prescriptions filled through our CurAccess Program.

The CONTRAVE Savings Coupon Card cannot be combined with offers from our telemedicine partners or with our CurAccess Program.
The CurAccess Program can only be used to fill prescriptions for Currax products, such as CONTRAVE. Please note: Your prescription for CONTRAVE is delivered free via standard first-class shipping through the US postal service; any other prescriptions may be subject to insurance costs, shipping rates, and additional fees.

Yes. Depending on your insurance coverage, you will pay $99 or less + get free shipping with our CurAccess Program.

  1. Create an account by clicking here or call CurAccess’s pharmacy partner, Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy, at 1-800-630-3214.
  2. Ridgeway will complete the prescription transfer for you.
To get started:

  1. Call our home delivery partner, Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy, at 1-800-630-3214 , or click here to set up an account online.
  2. After setting up your account, Ridgeway will connect with your healthcare provider so that you can have your prescription for CONTRAVE delivered to your home.

Ask your healthcare provider about CONTRAVE

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Important Safety Information

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What is CONTRAVE? See more

CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects including:

Suicidal thoughts or actions: One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion. Bupropion has caused some people to have suicidal thoughts or actions or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medicines used to treat depression. Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. If you already have depression or other mental illnesses, taking bupropion may cause it to get worse, especially within the first few months of treatment.

While taking CONTRAVE, you or your family members should pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when you start taking CONTRAVE or when your dose changes.

Stop taking CONTRAVE and call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family members notice any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempts to commit suicide; depression; anxiety; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; irritability; aggression, anger, or violence; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking; other unusual changes in behavior or mood; trouble sleeping.

CONTRAVE is not approved for use in children under the age of 18.

Do not take CONTRAVE if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; have or have had seizures; use other medicines that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN, WELLBUTRIN SR, WELLBUTRIN XL, APLENZIN and ZYBAN; have or have had an eating disorder called anorexia or bulimia; are dependent on opioid pain medicines or use medicines to help stop taking opioids, or are in opiate withdrawal; drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, or use medicines called sedatives (these make you sleepy), benzodiazepines, or anti‐seizure medicines and stop using them all of a sudden; are taking or have taken medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the past 14 days; or are allergic to any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have: depression or other mental illnesses; attempted suicide; seizures; head injury; tumor or infection of brain or spine; low blood sugar or low sodium; liver or kidney problems; high blood pressure; heart attack, heart problems, or stroke; eating disorder; drinking a lot of alcohol; prescription medicine or street drug abuse; are 65 or older; diabetes; pregnant or planning to become pregnant; or breastfeeding.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

CONTRAVE may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Seizures. There is a risk of having a seizure when you take CONTRAVE. The risk of seizure is higher in people who take higher doses of CONTRAVE, have certain medical conditions, or take CONTRAVE with certain other medicines. Do not take any other medicines while you are taking CONTRAVE unless your healthcare provider has said it is okay to take them. If you have a seizure while taking CONTRAVE, stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider right away.

  • Risk of opioid overdose. Do not take large amounts of opioids, including opioid-containing medicines, such as heroin or prescription pain pills, to try to overcome the opioid-blocking effects of naltrexone. This can lead to serious injury, coma, or death.

    Get emergency medical help right away if you take opioids and you:

    • have trouble breathing

    • become very drowsy with slowed breathing

    • have slow, shallow breathing

    • feel faint, very dizzy, confused, or have unusual symptoms

  • Sudden opioid withdrawal. People who take CONTRAVE must not use any type of opioid, including street drugs, prescription pain medicines, cough, cold, or diarrhea medicines that contain opioids, or opioid dependence treatments, for at least 7 to 10 days before starting CONTRAVE. Using opioids in the 7 to 10 days before you start taking CONTRAVE may cause you to suddenly have symptoms of opioid withdrawal when you take it. Sudden opioid withdrawal can be severe, and you may need to go to the hospital. Tell your healthcare provider you are taking CONTRAVE before a medical procedure or surgery.

  • Severe allergic reactions. Stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, chest pain, or trouble breathing.

  • Increases in blood pressure or heart rate. Some people may get high blood pressure or have a higher heart rate when taking CONTRAVE. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure and heart rate before you start taking, and while you take CONTRAVE.

  • Liver damage or hepatitis. Stop taking CONTRAVE and tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems: stomach area pain lasting more than a few days, dark urine, yellowing of the whites of your eyes, or tiredness. Your healthcare provider may need to stop treating you with CONTRAVE if you get signs or symptoms of a serious liver problem.

  • Manic episodes. Bupropion can cause some people who were manic or depressed in the past to become manic or depressed again.

  • Visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma). Signs and symptoms may include: eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around the eye. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you are at risk for angle‐closure glaucoma and to get treatment to prevent it if you are at risk.

  • Increased risk of low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also take medicines to treat their diabetes (such as insulin or sulfonylureas). You should check your blood sugar before you start taking CONTRAVE and while you take CONTRAVE.

The most common side effects of CONTRAVE include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, and diarrhea. These are not all of the possible side effects of CONTRAVE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help some adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off.

CONTRAVE should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

It is not known if CONTRAVE changes your risk of heart problems or stroke or of death due to heart problems or stroke.

It is not known if CONTRAVE is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight-loss products.

CONTRAVE is not approved to treat depression or other mental illnesses, or to help people quit smoking (smoking cessation).

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for CONTRAVE.

What is CONTRAVE? See more