Contrave Participants? ???
EbonyJ1984
Posts: 1 Member
Starting Contrave to help with weightloss. Anyone else??
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Replies
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Me1
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Scary stuff.... "CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects of suicidal thoughts or actions. One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion HCl. 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 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."0
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Bupropion is the generic name for Wellbutrin. The other ingredient is Naltrexone. Since Contrave is a prescription medicine, a doctor is supervising its use, and has presumably discussed the potential side effects.
Good luck, I hope it helps both of you!2 -
Ebonyj1984 and amandag57 How are you two doing?0
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Half through month 2, down 17 pounds, also doing their step down program and following a 1200 calorie diet along with walking and swimming..good luck2
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KetoneKaren wrote: »Bupropion is the generic name for Wellbutrin. The other ingredient is Naltrexone. Since Contrave is a prescription medicine, a doctor is supervising its use, and has presumably discussed the potential side effects.
Good luck, I hope it helps both of you!
Yes, it's called Zyban here in Australia and is prescribed to help people quit smoking, and has been linked to depression, sleeplessness and suicidal thoughts. I thought it was a strange thing thing to prescribe as an anti depressant :huh:1 -
Christine_72 wrote: »KetoneKaren wrote: »Bupropion is the generic name for Wellbutrin. The other ingredient is Naltrexone. Since Contrave is a prescription medicine, a doctor is supervising its use, and has presumably discussed the potential side effects.
Good luck, I hope it helps both of you!
Yes, it's called Zyban here in Australia and is prescribed to help people quit smoking, and has been linked to depression, sleeplessness and suicidal thoughts. I thought it was a strange thing thing to prescribe as an anti depressant :huh:
That's pretty standard warning amongst antidepressants. All the ones I've seen have had it, because in a small percentage of people, the drugs can exacerbate symptoms.2 -
Christine_72 wrote: »KetoneKaren wrote: »Bupropion is the generic name for Wellbutrin. The other ingredient is Naltrexone. Since Contrave is a prescription medicine, a doctor is supervising its use, and has presumably discussed the potential side effects.
Good luck, I hope it helps both of you!
Yes, it's called Zyban here in Australia and is prescribed to help people quit smoking, and has been linked to depression, sleeplessness and suicidal thoughts. I thought it was a strange thing thing to prescribe as an anti depressant :huh:
That's pretty standard warning amongst antidepressants. All the ones I've seen have had it, because in a small percentage of people, the drugs can exacerbate symptoms.
Oh ok, thanks for clarifying
OP, sorry, didn't mean to derail your thread.0 -
I remember being prescribed something with similar ingredients in my teens for depression. I had no idea it's used for weight loss.. I don't remember I lost weight back then, I might have who knows.. I wasn't paying attention to my weight back then and as a morbidly obese I might have lost but did not notice. How does it work?0
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I remember being prescribed something with similar ingredients in my teens for depression. I had no idea it's used for weight loss.. I don't remember I lost weight back then, I might have who knows.. I wasn't paying attention to my weight back then and as a morbidly obese I might have lost but did not notice. How does it work?
I think it decreases your appetite and gives people energy, must trigger something in the brain.
Like i said earlier it's prescribed here as a quit smoking aid, not for weight loss or depression.0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I remember being prescribed something with similar ingredients in my teens for depression. I had no idea it's used for weight loss.. I don't remember I lost weight back then, I might have who knows.. I wasn't paying attention to my weight back then and as a morbidly obese I might have lost but did not notice. How does it work?
I think it decreases your appetite and gives people energy, must trigger something in the brain.
Like i said earlier it's prescribed here as a quit smoking aid, not for weight loss or depression.
Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I just feel a bit "cheated" that my doctor was covertly trying to make me lose weight and I just found out about it more than 15 years later
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amusedmonkey wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I remember being prescribed something with similar ingredients in my teens for depression. I had no idea it's used for weight loss.. I don't remember I lost weight back then, I might have who knows.. I wasn't paying attention to my weight back then and as a morbidly obese I might have lost but did not notice. How does it work?
I think it decreases your appetite and gives people energy, must trigger something in the brain.
Like i said earlier it's prescribed here as a quit smoking aid, not for weight loss or depression.
Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I just feel a bit "cheated" that my doctor was covertly trying to make me lose weight and I just found out about it more than 15 years later
Did it help with your depression?0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I remember being prescribed something with similar ingredients in my teens for depression. I had no idea it's used for weight loss.. I don't remember I lost weight back then, I might have who knows.. I wasn't paying attention to my weight back then and as a morbidly obese I might have lost but did not notice. How does it work?
I think it decreases your appetite and gives people energy, must trigger something in the brain.
Like i said earlier it's prescribed here as a quit smoking aid, not for weight loss or depression.
Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I just feel a bit "cheated" that my doctor was covertly trying to make me lose weight and I just found out about it more than 15 years later
Did it help with your depression?
Hard to say. I had lost my best friend so I needed time more than I did medications and some intensive help. It probably helped, I don't know. It doesn't matter. I don't want to derail the topic. Carry on!0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I remember being prescribed something with similar ingredients in my teens for depression. I had no idea it's used for weight loss.. I don't remember I lost weight back then, I might have who knows.. I wasn't paying attention to my weight back then and as a morbidly obese I might have lost but did not notice. How does it work?
I think it decreases your appetite and gives people energy, must trigger something in the brain.
Like i said earlier it's prescribed here as a quit smoking aid, not for weight loss or depression.
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I need hep from anyone who takes or has taken contrave:
My dr prescribed contrave a few weeks ago. Needless to say my insurance kicked it back. I called my dr and after a couple of days of phone tag they said that my dr would make a call and let me know. A week went by and, frustrated, I called to see the status. The nurse asked me if I had any more samples left, but I never got any samples to begin with (which would have been great if I did because I would know what I'm getting myself into!) Finally I got a call back saying that I should be good to go and to go to the pharmacy to get it. On my way from work I called the pharmacy and they said it was still awaiting insurance approval. I told them I had the coupon and asked how much it would be with the coupon and I was told that they weren't sure and that they would have to order it!
Now I am trying to decide if it is worth it.. I need to lose about 35 pounds. I have been struggling with losing this weight for the past 10 years. I eat when I'm frustrated, am a carb addict and seem to have no energy. I am older, have hypothyroidism but my tsh is at a good level. If you are taking contrave, do you think it would be worth it for me?
Thank you!!0 -
I think Contrave is totally worth it! It sounds like it would be helpful for you. With the card ("coupon") it should cost $90 or less a month. Is it worth it to you to possibly lose weight at that cost? It is to me! Hope this helps!0
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jeanjean619 wrote: »I need hep from anyone who takes or has taken contrave:
My dr prescribed contrave a few weeks ago. Needless to say my insurance kicked it back. I called my dr and after a couple of days of phone tag they said that my dr would make a call and let me know. A week went by and, frustrated, I called to see the status. The nurse asked me if I had any more samples left, but I never got any samples to begin with (which would have been great if I did because I would know what I'm getting myself into!) Finally I got a call back saying that I should be good to go and to go to the pharmacy to get it. On my way from work I called the pharmacy and they said it was still awaiting insurance approval. I told them I had the coupon and asked how much it would be with the coupon and I was told that they weren't sure and that they would have to order it!
Now I am trying to decide if it is worth it.. I need to lose about 35 pounds. I have been struggling with losing this weight for the past 10 years. I eat when I'm frustrated, am a carb addict and seem to have no energy. I am older, have hypothyroidism but my tsh is at a good level. If you are taking contrave, do you think it would be worth it for me?
Thank you!!
Seeing as you only have 35lbs to lose, no I don't think it would be worth it. Also, since you are not morbidly obese, it is doubtful you insurance will cover it since it is not a "needed" medication.0 -
jeanjean619 wrote: »I need hep from anyone who takes or has taken contrave:
My dr prescribed contrave a few weeks ago. Needless to say my insurance kicked it back. I called my dr and after a couple of days of phone tag they said that my dr would make a call and let me know. A week went by and, frustrated, I called to see the status. The nurse asked me if I had any more samples left, but I never got any samples to begin with (which would have been great if I did because I would know what I'm getting myself into!) Finally I got a call back saying that I should be good to go and to go to the pharmacy to get it. On my way from work I called the pharmacy and they said it was still awaiting insurance approval. I told them I had the coupon and asked how much it would be with the coupon and I was told that they weren't sure and that they would have to order it!
Now I am trying to decide if it is worth it.. I need to lose about 35 pounds. I have been struggling with losing this weight for the past 10 years. I eat when I'm frustrated, am a carb addict and seem to have no energy. I am older, have hypothyroidism but my tsh is at a good level. If you are taking contrave, do you think it would be worth it for me?
Thank you!!
I am not sure where you are at, but I am in Arkansas... that being said my doctors office gave me a manufacturers coupon card and starter pack... the discount card after you call it in discounts the Kroger pharmacy to 70 for the first 3 prescriptions and 60 after that.. it also signs you up for what is called the step down program.. they send you a digital scale and help you log your weight daily which you can like to your doctors office and help with exercise and diet recommendations on weekly emails... I do not really use the emails as I use MFP to log my diet, but I like the scale and daily weights as I feel like I have to account for myself.... of course this is not for everyone so talk with your doctor.. it does curb my appetite and give me a slight boost, but it is no where near like adipex.. which I cannot take as it makes me very jittery and raises my BP... but when it is meal time and I sit down to eat I am hungry when it is right in front of me... Good luck.
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I am starting it tomorrow and am anxious. I am insured and with the coupon it was $24 for 3 months supply.
I feel like I have tried so many different ways to lose weight. This is being prescribed along with a dietitian, psychologist, and fitness evaluations. I hope the multidisciplinary team works. I need this weight to be off forever!0 -
Scary stuff.... "CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects of suicidal thoughts or actions. One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion HCl. 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 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."
Bupropion is a drug that is regularly prescribed for depression. I have been taking it on/off as needed for 7 years... it isn't that scary to me and I had absolutely no with-drawls. It kicks your appetite, gives you energy by sending more dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine to transmit messages to other nerves.
Every prescription drug I have ever seen in the business of healthcare has 'scary' side effects but I'm not going to stop taking my necessary-for-life thyroid pills because a side effect is afib/heart palpations/chest tightness/cardiac arrest. lol0 -
Scary stuff.... "CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects of suicidal thoughts or actions. One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion HCl. 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 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."
Bupropion is a drug that is regularly prescribed for depression. I have been taking it on/off as needed for 7 years... it isn't that scary to me and I had absolutely no with-drawls. It kicks your appetite, gives you energy by sending more dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine to transmit messages to other nerves.
Every prescription drug I have ever seen in the business of healthcare has 'scary' side effects but I'm not going to stop taking my necessary-for-life thyroid pills because a side effect is afib/heart palpations/chest tightness/cardiac arrest. lol
No one should stop taking "necessary for life drugs" due to scary side effects - but taking it for weight loss change the risk factor for me.....0 -
No one should stop taking "necessary for life drugs" due to scary side effects - but taking it for weight loss change the risk factor for me.....
Thyroid medication definitely helps with weight loss. People abuse that, too.
Nearly every medication has scary side effects. When someone is morbidly obese I would imagine they would prefer the risk (not guarantee) of side effects vs the pain/debility/health risk of being morbidly obese.
Bupropion is a psychiatric medication that is widely used by hundreds of thousands of people for a variety of different issues. I take it on and off but never have thought about suicide on it.. if anything it's one of the very few reasons I didn't go through with my second suicide attempt.
Doctor who prescribe weight loss medications to those who only have a bit to lose or are not at high risk for weight related medical issues are quacks.
Every single mind altering drug that changes the balance or flow of neurotransmitters has a side effect of possible suicidal ideations.0 -
I took it and it made me EXTREMELY sleepy, to the point of being in tears not realizing what the problem was. I thought I was just exhausted, but after looking at the fine print, extreme sleepiness was a side effect. I quit taking it and the sleepiness went away. I didn't really notice any weight loss.0
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I've been on Contrave for almost 10 weeks now. I was hesitant in the beginning as well due to the side effects, not the suicidal part but the seizure part of it. Needless to say I have had hardly any bad side effects. I am a happier person, and have lost 24 pounds. Contrave is only a tool to help you lose weight along with a better diet and exercise. My problem lately is I hardly eat enough,,lol..I thought that could never be a problem for me. Some days I eat only about 600 calories, not good for my body at all. So I try and stay between 900 and 1200 calories a day.I would recommend anyone who seriously wants to lose the weight to try it. I pay $90 a month as my insurance wouldn't pay for it at all. It has been worth every penny!!! And the Scale down program that comes with it is AWESOME!!!1
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