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

I agree that diet pills are not magic pills and that we need to learn a new way of eating and living. However, I also assert that obesity is very much a disease. For example, I believe that frequently once one hits a certain weight that it messes up your insulin and metabolic functions which results in overwhelming physiologic urges to overeat again and again. I have read that when there is too much insulin that the insulin grabs you by the shoulders and screams, "Eat! Eat!." I also believe that many are also afflicted with food addictions also probably resulting from brain chemicals gone haywire. Then, there are many who overeat out of habit.


I think I have all three problems. I realize that generally lower carbs, more protein, more vegetables, less starchy vegetables, more good fat, and low glycemic fruit help to curb hunger. However, it can feel like climbing Mount Everest if you are grappling with all of the above with some depression thrown on top due to your predicament. For over a decade I felt like I was in a hole and unable to eat well for any longer than 3 months and constantly regaining any weight I lost. I do not think it is a matter of will power because if it were than more people would have success with weight loss.

Fortunately, my weight loss doctor at a major university prescribed Metformin and Contrave for me. For once, I feel like I am not plagued by constant urges for sweets and overeating. In fact, I finally feel that I have the willpower of steel for the past month. For the record, I have had the discipline in the past to quit smoking after 17 years and to become a successful critical care nurse educator and so and so forth. I just could not deal with this weight thing and now I am hopeful that I can. I feel medication can be a tool to help me gain control while also changing my habits.

Contrave is composed of 2 meds that have been around for decades and both have good safety records. I did find the wellbutrin component of contrave made me very jittery to first couple of weeks so I immediately cut out coffee and most caffeine. They say most folks get over the jitters after several weeks. I also have only been on one pill of contrave a day and will only very slowly increase to recommended dose as needed after discussing with my doctor. I recommend giving it a try for anyone struggling like I did since unlike other weight loss pills this one actually is safe and both drugs have long track records.

Metformin is used for pre-diabetes and diabetes. I have pre-diabetes which I suspect I have had a long time despite normal bloodwork (I had gestational diabetes). It is very safe as well and has a long track record. They are also studying its use in obese individuals without pre-diabetes and diabetes. I would ask about this drug too in the extended release form and start slowly with one pill a day gradually increased over weeks or months to desired dose as ordered by your doctor. It does frequently cause gastrointestinal issues which usually go away after several weeks. Using the extended release form and slowly increasing dose and taking with meals helps avoid these issues. I have had no problems. I was also astounded how it took away my hunger pangs that have plagued me forever.

I hope this helps someone. I also believe that one should try to fix things without meds when possible. However, meds when used correctly can also be a lifeline for someone.

My doctor prescribed me Contrave and I've been taking it for a little over two weeks now. I have noticed that it does help with making better decisions and makes me feel "normal". By that I mean that I don't think about food 24/7. I'm not sure if the pill helps me with overeating though. It just helps with cravings and makes me not feel so "blah".

I've been on Contrave for 5 days and so far it has really worked to control my appetite. I was pessimistic and cautious at first b/c it's so new. But my doc and I will watch closely to see how I respond. In fact, on NYE we went to my fav restaurant and I had to practically make myself eat AND drink wine. I didn't finish anything. It was weird. The only SE I've experienced started today - dizziness and nausea all day. Also, a general feeling of malaise to the point of only wanting to lie down, which is not like me. I felt bad for my 5yr old who really wanted to play today. I'll stay on for a couple more days to see if it passes. But if not, I'll have to stop taking it. And that sucks b/c it's really working to curb my cravings and appetite.

I am in my 4th week on contrave. I just started the 2 pills in the morning and two pills at night 3 days ago. The first 2 weeks I didn't feel any different but I definitely feel different now. I have a constant "groggy" headache and some really intense fatigue. I do have to say that it has worked miracles for my appetite. I have never been able to turn down cravings and I was someone who thought about food 24/7 but now I don't. I have no cravings at all, I feel satisfied faster so I'm not over eating and I only think about food when it's time to eat. I also noticed that I'm usually a Happy Hour drinker on work nights and the last few nights I haven't been interested in a glass of wine. I can't wait to see what the next 4 weeks hold, I'm excited but I'm also ready for the headaches and fatigue to go away.

I haven't weighed recently but my clothes are fitting better. I do have an update on the side effects. Most of the people trying it are experiencing the headaches and extreme nausea and I have too. It was so bad yesterday afternoon that I left work and felt like I needed to go straight to bed but instead I stopped by Walgreens. Let me tell you, if you are experiencing the terrible side effects you need to get some Bonine motion sickness medicine, Dramamine and Aleve. I took a Dramamine last night and it completely wiped out that terrible sick feeling but it also made me very sleepy. I chewed the Bonine this morning since it's non drowsy and it kicked all those symptoms. Fatigue is gone, headaches are gone, nausea is gone and best of all, cravings and hunger is still gone too! Just wanted to share the wealth

I started taking contrave Dec 8 2014, I have had excellent results down 20 lbs. The first week was very hard because I am addicted to carbs and sweets; I was also feeling nausea and weak and just very strange being that I never take any meds at all, by day 5 I felt alot better I had energy and o was not craving any sweets or carbs. I started eating clean and I'm not saying I didn't sneak I'm a little sweet something in there I but overall I have been ok. Some days I will have breakfast and have to force my lunch in. I have expierenced stomach pains lately but it's because I am not eating at all at time and it's because I don't feel hungry. All I have to say about this medication is that it is a great product and I recommend 100%, I will continue to update my results Good luck to everyone taking the product.

I am down 20 pounds so far on Metformin and one pill a day of Contrave-see my previous post. Usually this time of year I gain 20 pounds with the holidays and what not so I am quite happy and I am confident I will lose even more now. My cravings are still almost entirely gone after 3 months on contrave.

I've been on Contrave for almost 3 months. First 4 weeks are hell. I'm serious. It's horrible. Pushed through it and everything evened out. No more hellish symptoms. I'm mean hellish too. Sweating, naseua, pounding headache, & just in general crappy. I have lost 15 pounds but I'm not sure it's the Contrave. I am starving all day long. I'm losing weight through a very strict diet & exercise. I never got the energy increase & appetite suppress they talked about. I can still eat all day if I wanted to. I just fight through it with no help from Contrave. I do however like the Wellbutrin as it seemed to even out my emotions. I get bad pms & this seems to have helped ween the systems. My systems were 1 week before my period & 7 days of a period. 1/2 a month of yo yo emotions. Which I think the Wellbutrin would work fine alone for the emotional eating habits. I don't think its worth the cost since my insurance won't pay for it. I am going to talk to my dr about just a RX for Wellbutrin, which will be cheaper. I will see what he says. He may like my progress & tell me to stay on it. Not sure.

I just started Contrave this morning and have around 60 lbs to lose. definitely wil be needing extra support

Just started today and I have 70 pounds to lose. I need something to help me with the cravings. Will keep you guys updated.

Ok. Here goes. I have been taking Contrave for one week, not enough time to assess if it helps. I am 60 years old and have a high trig level and I need to lose about 70 pounds. I exersize about three times a week, more if I can find the time. The first day I took it , it made my head a little fuzzy and I was really tired. But I took it on an empty stomach. I fixed that the next day. I have had no nausea or lasting or really bad headaches. Advil took care of that and I cannot attribute it to the Contrave. I have had flushing similar to a Niacin flush. That would be the only bothersome side effect I have had. I know this stuff is supposed to work in the brain somehow. I believe this stuff has a thermogenic effect ,thus the flushing. I have not had any trouble sticking to my diet this week but I am very determined to be succuessfull. Only time will tell, I hate the side effects of most medicines because I always get them. If after a month on this and I don't lose much more than if I took nothing I will not get it again.

cmick53 wrote: »

I wonder If anyone had the flushing?

I found I start flushing when I start exercising. It's weird because my whole body turns red and I haven't started to exert myself.

I started week two pills yesterday. I lost 10 lbs the first week. I do have a strict calorie counting diet. Exercise is really minimal except working in the garden. The 2 a day pills are horrible but it's only been 1 day. I'm trying to push through it. If anyone wants to add me and support each other thru the contrave , that would be awesome!!

I was so excited about starting it but am not sure if I can tolerate it- am going to try some otc medicine- this am I'm taking a spin class but am going to wait to take the Contrave until after or I fear I will hurl my breakfast in class!

Day two of Contrave. I started on a Sunday just in case the side effects were bad, only thing I have noticed is I didn't sleep well. I didn't think I slept at all before 3 a.m. (went to bed at 9 p.m.) and now I am not so sure if I wasn't sleeping after all, it just wasn't a sound sleep. I just remember I kept looking at the clock all night. I am not overly tired now though. Will be very interesting to see if this really can control cravings.