Looking for people who are trying out Contrave? Thoughts? Is it working?

Nope rather not waste my money on magic pills. You know what else takes the edge off hunger pains. Eating lots of nutritious foods. You how you handle cravings with moderation so they never become a craving.

People just can't resist writing insults and stupid comments that have nothing to do with the question. Hopefully you get some real response to your questions. I'm curious also about Belviq so I'll watch for answers. (Have not tried either of them)

Hello, I too am aware that it is not a magic pill, but I'm seeking some confirmation bias nonetheless.

Here is a link to a theory on how it works. http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2014/07/contrave-promising-new-approach-fight-obesity.html

"The drug’s development stems from an evolving understanding of a certain type of overeating that arises from stress-triggered depression. The path to obesity may begin for some people with a stressful event the subject perceives as threatening — ranging from early life abuse to the loss of a job or a loved one. The resultant release of stress hormones interferes with the brain’s stimulus-reward circuitry. Essentially, the stress takes away one’s ability to feel pleasure. The resulting condition is referred to as “anhedonia.” one of two primary symptoms of depression.

The next step sees some anhedonia sufferers go off in search of other ways to activate their reward circuitry and feel pleasure. Most of the options remaining to them are unhealthy. Drugs and alcohol will get the job done, as can three substances that are vastly less regulated — sugar, salt and fat."

I've used it when my BMI was around 28 and I have diabetes, asthma and really high blood pressure. I started taking it a month or so ago and It didn't help me at all, just made me feel really sick. I started at 147lbs and i kept yo-yoing up and down that to 147-153lbs. It was meant to be a hunger suppressant so it really isn't something that works if you're the kind of person that just likes to eat our of boredom. You'll still eat like crazy just as I did. How ever it can help if you're already into counting calories.

It's honestly just like every other drug out there. I changed my GP after he gave me this garbage as I read what it actually does.. and it's NOT worth the symptoms and risks you get with it unless your 400lbs overweight.

You ONLY lose 5-10% of your excess body weight with in a year of taking it.. Along side diet and exercise... meaning if I was 100lbs over weight I'd only lose around 5-10lbs extra and still have to suffer then risks. I was only 30-40lbs overweight so pretty much I wasn't going to lose as much as someone who weighs more... Which is why I went off it, ditched the bad GP and turned to other methods of keeping full.

If you are interested in taking this though you NEED to be at least at a BMI of 30+ Or a BMI of 27+ with many medical conditions as the affects this drug has are not beneficial for those closer to goal which is why they don't prescribe it.

Personally I found drinking 1 glass of water with every meal to help me more and my new GP told me to eat more protein and good fats to keep full. I'm down to 141lbs now just from using MFP. Upping my protein worked and I'm so closer to goal now, still have 11lbs to go before I'm back to my holiday weight.

TavistockToad wrote: »

hbm616 wrote: »

weird...I just learned about this drug but for people with opiate and alcohol dependence (the population that I work with)....How is it supposed to help weight loss?

interesting. how do they work for substance dependence? (my line of work also, in the uk)

Contrave is a combination of naltrexone and wellbutrin (bupropion). Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist so it blocks the mu receptors in the brain. The wellbutrin is an antidepressant which is also used to decrease tobacco cravings so I imagine it must work for all types of cravings (alcohol, opiates and even food apparently).

levitateme wrote: »

amyniceneasy wrote: »

No they really can't. People assume that the person is an idiot who is looking for a quick fix. I'm sorry I even asked.

The drug has only been FDA approved for 2 months, so how could anyone here tell you if they've had success with the drug? It takes much longer than 2 months to know if a weight loss program is successful.

I was on it for almost 3 weeks. Started in October. Some people may have been part of the trails also.

Grace215lbs wrote: »

levitateme wrote: »

amyniceneasy wrote: »

No they really can't. People assume that the person is an idiot who is looking for a quick fix. I'm sorry I even asked.

The drug has only been FDA approved for 2 months, so how could anyone here tell you if they've had success with the drug? It takes much longer than 2 months to know if a weight loss program is successful.

I was on it for almost 3 weeks. Started in October. Some people may have been part of the trails also.

I just don't think 3 weeks is long enough to know if something weight loss related is successful, but that's my opinion. I'm sure others have the same opinion, but OP thinks that means we think she's an idiot (?)

amyniceneasy wrote: »

Its supposed to help suppress appetite and cravings. I'm fully aware of how, what, how much I'm supposed to eat. I was hoping to find out of it helped anyone with those issues because I'm miserable. I would just like to be one of those people who eat to live instead of living to eat. I'm 40 and 5'2". I have an appetite and love of food that doesn't gel very well with the calorie needs of a person that size.

You just described the reason most overweight people start to use MFP, including myself. The drug will work until you stop taking it and then it will not work because you didn't learn the skills necessary to moderate your intake on your own. Would you rather people lie to you or be helpful and let you know that taking diet pills is a bad idea?

amyniceneasy wrote: »

Its supposed to help suppress appetite and cravings. I'm fully aware of how, what, how much I'm supposed to eat. I was hoping to find out of it helped anyone with those issues because I'm miserable. I would just like to be one of those people who eat to live instead of living to eat. I'm 40 and 5'2". I have an appetite and love of food that doesn't gel very well with the calorie needs of a person that size.

The pills won't change that. ;( I found that out the hard way. You need to change your mind set. I'm sure your GP would tell you this too. As I said before. I would binge and the pills DO NOT help with that, which is why this medication didn't work for me. I'm 5'1.

My issue was mental, I just wanted to eat more and more not because I was hungry. I'd tell myself it's fine, I can eat more today and get back on track tomorrow and I never got back on track. These pills didn't help me with it at all. How ever the more strict diet I was put on did. I also have signs up around the house showing my highest weight and lowest, which keeps me in check. I weigh everything now that I eat so I can't make excuses. I think that might be what you need to start doing and I hope that works! The mind set is the hardest thing to get past.

Grace215lbs wrote: »

amyniceneasy wrote: »

Its supposed to help suppress appetite and cravings. I'm fully aware of how, what, how much I'm supposed to eat. I was hoping to find out of it helped anyone with those issues because I'm miserable. I would just like to be one of those people who eat to live instead of living to eat. I'm 40 and 5'2". I have an appetite and love of food that doesn't gel very well with the calorie needs of a person that size.

The pills WONT change that. ;( I found that out the hard way. You need to change your mind set. I'm sure your GP would tell you this too. As I said before. I would binge and the pills DO NOT help with that, which is why this medication didn't work for me. My issue was mental, I just wanted to eat more and more not because I was hungry. I'd tell myself it's fine, I can eat more today and get back on track tomorrow and I never got back on track. These pills didn't help me with it at all. How ever the more strict diet I was put on did. I also have signs up around the house showing my highest weight and lowest, which keeps me in check. I weigh everything now that I eat so I can't make excuses. I think that might be what you need to start doing and I hope that works! The mind set is the hardest thing to get past.

I guess this is what OP wanted....to hear from someone experience that it was a waste of money.