Naltrexone and Bupropion

Generic name: Naltrexone and Bupropion [ nal-TREKS-one-& byoo-PROE-pee-on ]
Brand name: Contrave
Drug class: Anorexiants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 16, 2023.

Uses of Naltrexone and Bupropion:

• It is used to help you lose weight.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Naltrexone and Bupropion?

• If you are allergic to naltrexone and bupropion; any part of naltrexone and bupropion; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have ever had seizures.
• If you drink a lot of alcohol and you stop drinking all of a sudden.
• If you use certain other drugs like drugs for seizures or anxiety and you stop using them all of a sudden.
• If you have an eating problem, high blood pressure, or kidney problems.
• If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
• If you are taking carbamazepine, efavirenz, linezolid, lopinavir, methylene blue, phenobarbital, phenytoin, ritonavir, or another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If you take drugs like methadone or buprenorphine to help you stop taking an opioid drug.
• If you are taking an opioid drug like morphine or oxycodone, are addicted to an opioid drug, or are having withdrawal signs.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, or pentazocine.
• If you have taken a pain drug within the past 7 to 14 days.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take naltrexone and bupropion if you are pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take naltrexone and bupropion.
• If the patient is a child. Do not give naltrexone and bupropion to a child.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with naltrexone and bupropion.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take naltrexone and bupropion with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Related/similar drugs

Mounjaro, semaglutide, phentermine, Wegovy, Saxenda, Alli

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Naltrexone and Bupropion?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take naltrexone and bupropion. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take naltrexone and bupropion.
• This medicine may cause high blood pressure.
• Check blood pressure and heart rate as the doctor has told you.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes) and take drugs to lower blood sugar, talk with your doctor. Weight loss may raise the chance of low blood sugar if you take drugs to lower blood sugar. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low blood sugar like dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating.
• This medicine may raise the chance of seizures. The chance may be higher in people who have certain health problems, use certain other drugs, or drink a lot of alcohol. Talk to your doctor to see if you have a greater chance of seizures while taking naltrexone and bupropion.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking naltrexone and bupropion.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Some people may have a higher chance of eye problems with naltrexone and bupropion. Your doctor may want you to have an eye exam to see if you have a higher chance of these eye problems. Call your doctor right away if you have eye pain, change in eyesight, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
• Talk with your doctor before taking opioid drugs like some cough and cold products, some diarrhea drugs, and some pain drugs. These drugs may not work as well. Do not take more of these drugs to try to get them to work better. Doing this may cause very bad injury, coma, or death. Talk with your doctor.
• People taking naltrexone and bupropion may get more effects from opioid drugs when naltrexone and bupropion is stopped. Even low doses of opioid drugs may cause very bad and sometimes deadly effects in these people. Talk with your doctor.
• If you are addicted to pain drugs and are given naltrexone and bupropion, you may have signs of withdrawal. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine is not approved to treat mental or mood problems like low mood (depression) or to help stop smoking. When another bupropion drug was used to stop smoking, mental or mood problems happened or got worse. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use naltrexone and bupropion with care. You could have more side effects.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking naltrexone and bupropion, call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Naltrexone and Bupropion) best taken?

Use naltrexone and bupropion as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Take by mouth only. Do not inject or snort naltrexone and bupropion. Doing so can cause very bad side effects like seizures and death.
• Avoid taking naltrexone and bupropion with high-fat meals.
• If you have trouble swallowing, talk with your doctor.
• Keep taking naltrexone and bupropion as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Do not take naltrexone and bupropion more often than you are told. This may raise the risk of seizures. Be sure you know how far apart to take your doses.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• Restlessness.
• Seizures.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
• Swollen gland.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swelling.
• Fever.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Naltrexone and Bupropion?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Dry mouth.
• Trouble sleeping.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Naltrexone and Bupropion?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about naltrexone and bupropion, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• Does naltrexone cause weight gain?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer