The latest weight loss drug Contrave
If you are following the news, you probably heard about the latest FDA approved weight loss medication called Contrave!Contrave is the third new weight loss drug approved in 3 years!
As the third weight loss drug approved by the US FDA in about 3 years, the other two being Qsymia, and Belviq, this new weight loss medication called Contrave joins the other traditional prescription weight loss medications such as Phentermine, Phendimetrazine, Diethylpropion etc.What is Contrave?
Contrave is not an entirely new compound but a combination of two existing and generic FDA approved medications in sustained release formulation - one of the main ingredients is the well known drug, Bupropion, popularly known as Wellbtrin or Zyban used in treating depression and or smoking cessation. The other ingredient in Contrave is a sustained release form of Naltrexone - a drug used in the treatment of opiate, and other substance dependency treatment.Synergistic weight loss with Contrave
Although individually, these two drugs may not be as effective in treating obesity, the combination of the two is found to have significant synergy so that the total expected weight loss is much more than what you expect to see if you were to use any one of them alone and combine the individual weight loss to the total weight loss seen in those using Contrave.Does Contrave really work for weight loss?
Multiple clinical trial involving Contrave included approximately 4,500 obese and overweight patients with and without significant weight-related conditions treated for one year. All patients received lifestyle modification that consisted of a reduced- calorie diet and regular physical activity.Minimum weight loss of 5 percent is the benchmark!
About 42 percent of patients treated with Contrave lost at least 5 percent of their body weight compared with 17 percent of patients treated with placebo.
Slower weight loss in Diabetics with Contrave
Results from another clinical trial that enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes showed that the diabetic patients had an average weight loss of 2 percent over treatment with placebo at one year. In this trial, 36 percent of patients treated with Contrave lost at least 5 percent of their body weight compared with 18 percent of patients treated with placebo. (Among non - diabetics, about 42% of people lost at least 5% of their body weight)Dosage recommedations for Contrave
Contrave is taken in an escalating dose until the treatment dose is reached - first week, one would- take one tablet of Contrave 8/90 mg for week one in the morning
- take one tablet of Contrave 8/90 mg twice a day for week two (morning and evening)
- take two tablets on Contrave 8/90 mg in morning and one tablet in evening for week three
- take two tablets of Contrave 8/90 mg in morning and two tablets in the evening from week four on wards.
Minimun duration for testing effectiveness of Contrave
It takes about 12 weeks before one would know if Contrave is working for weight loss according to studies. If it is not effective in 12 weeks, it is unlikely to be effective after this time according to the research.
Side effects of Contrave
Although there are many uncommon side effects, Contrave is one of the best tolerated weight loss medicatons and is relatively benign as it is not a stimulant based or amphetamine based medication. Since it has Bupropion that improves mood, most people do feel good. Having said that, here are the most common side effects seen with Contrave.
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
Contra-indications for taking Contrave
Do not take Contrave if you have any of the following:
- Have a history of uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- Have or have had a history of seizures.
- Use other medicines that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN, WELLBUTRIN SR, WELLBUTRIN XL, and APLENZIN.
- 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 such as methadone or buprenorphine, or are in opiate withdrawal.
- Drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, as this may increase your chance of having a seizure; or use medicines called sedatives (these make you sleepy), benzodiazepines, or anti-seizure medicines and you stop using them all of a sudden.
- Have taken medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including linezolid, within the last 14 days.
- Are allergic to naltrexone HCl or bupropion HCl or any of the ingredients in Contrave.
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking Contrave.
Price of Contrave
The good news is that Contrave is one of the best priced new weight loss medications ever! Costing as little as $70.00 per month without insurance that can go down to $60.00 after three months with a manufacturer coupon (not valid if you have Medicare or Medicaid), it is very affordable.
For those with insurance, the cost is about $55.00 per month for first three months, and $45.00 per month thereafter with a manufacturer coupon available at most W8MD weight loss centers locations in USA valid for anybody with commercial(non Medicare / Medicaid) insurance.
W8MD weight loss doctors that prescribe Contrave
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Weight Loss Center: 1718, Welsh Rd, Philadelphia, PA, 19115 Ph: 1-215-676-2334
King Of Prussia Weight Loss Center: 987 Old Eagle School Rd, Ste 712, Wayne, PA, 19087 Ph: 215-676-2334
New York
NYC Insurance Weight Loss Center: 2003, Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11214 Ph: 1-718-946-5500.
New Jersey Weight Loss Center
W8MD medical weight loss program at Vida Sleep Center of Dr. Felix Roque's office at 543, 45th Street, Union City, New Jersey. 543 45th St, Union City, NJ 07087. Phone: (201) 766-6469. This center bills out of network for insurance.
Related articles on weight loss drug, Contrave
- The latest weight loss drug FDA approved in December of 2014, Saxenda
- Phentermine and Topiramate (Qsymia) - New diet pill! (Phentermine and Topiramate is one of the most popular and most effective weight loss medications) for fast weight loss!
- Lorcaserin (Belviq) - New weight loss medication FDA approved in June of 2012.
- Phentermine (Adipex)
- Topiramate (Topamax)
- Phendimetrazine (Bontril)
- Diethylpropion (Tenuate)
- Xenical and others
Review of the best weight loss medications!
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