If you have been wondering about the weight loss medication Contrave®, Dr. Trupti Patel and her team at Physicians Premiere Weight & Wellness Center can help answer your questions.
Contrave® is an FDA approved prescription medication for weight loss for those age 18 years and older. It was first approved in 2014, and since then has been an amazing tool for so many people struggling to lose weight.
Contrave® contains a combination of 2 medications that have been around for decades: Wellbutrin and Naltrexone. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant medicine that can also decrease appetite. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of opioids or alcohol in people with addiction problems. But Naltrexone can also curb hunger and food cravings. So, the combination of the two makes up Contrave® – which works on several different pathways in your brain to curb hunger and cravings.
Unlike some other weight loss medications, Contrave® is not a stimulant, is not a controlled substance, and is not addictive. Contrave®, like any other weight loss medication, is not a magic pill and should be used with a specific dietary and exercise program. It should be discontinued if at least a 5% weight loss is not achieved within three months.
At Physicians Premiere Weight & Wellness Center, Dr. Trupti Patel is often asked – What are side effects of Contrave®? The most common side effect is nausea, which is one the reasons why this medication must be titrated up slowly by an experienced weight loss physician. Other common side effects are constipation, headache and dry mouth. Most of these symptoms are transient and often subside on their own. You must make sure you let your physician know if such symptoms are not resolving. If you are taking Contrave®, remember that your doctor prescribed it because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Most people using this medication do not have significant side effects.
As with all medications, coverage for Contrave® can vary from one insurance company to another. The price for the medication can also vary. If you choose to incorporate this medication in, we here at Physicians Premiere Weight & Wellness Center will do our best to find you the most cost-effective route. You can also learn more about Dr. Trupti Patel and our medically supervised weight loss programs – and even schedule an appointment – by visiting our website at https://healthymeweightloss.com/contact-us/
