... day. They pop up, but disappear after about an hour. I am considering going back to 3 pills a day. Suggestions?
Contrave - Has anyone experienced hives? I didn't have any issues until I increased to 4 pills a?
Question posted by Nana1979 on 2 Dec 2015
Last updated on 31 January 2019
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
4 Answers
LISARAEJOY
20 July 2018
I started getting hives week 3. This week (4) I cut back to 1 at night. I am happy with the results and how I feel. I think its the wellbutrin. I tried it about 25 years ago to quit smoking but the hives overtook me. I am wondering if my body will adjust. ANYONE have any update or info?? I don't want to stop taking it!!!
wolffy144
20 April 2017
I'm also experiencing itchy hives/rash after I've increased my dosage to three pills per day. It started in the middle of the night, I woke up VERY itchy and started scratching so hard I felt like I was going to tear my skin and bleed. I'm disappointed because I've lost almost 10 pounds now and I don't want to stop taking it. I bought some Benadryl to take but the pharmacist said not to take it long term. Ugh. Hope this goes away...
macau123
8 June 2017
Did you continue to take Contrave and the hives/itching went away? Happened to me just like the other reports, and after a week off the medicine I've still got ongoing itchiness. I'd like to go back on Contrave since it was working, so hoping to hear about someone powering through and if the itchiness went away after more time.
ValleCC
31 Jan 2019
Hello... I too am having this issue at 2 pills day. My doctor told me to stop wait for the itching to stop and then start again with 1 pill a day. Has anyone pushed through this... does the itching eventually go away or is it an allergic reaction!!
Thank you
lisettem
3 March 2017
About a week after starting Contrave I woke up with non-itchy hives on both of my upper arms. I didn't think it was related to the medication, but as I started to increase my dose I would notice I would get itchy, especially in my palms and on my feet but it wasn't too bad so I kept taking it. Once I started taking the 2 pills twice a day though, I broke out in the worst all over body itch and hives anytime i'd scratch. Finally I stopped but the itching is not going away and I've been off it almost a week now...
chuck1957
2 Dec 2015
Nana here is a paste on rare unknown side effects; hives, itching, or rash))) info off drugs.com
IF they are not that bothersome you should let your doctor know and see what he or she says before dropping your dose.Normal if you're really allergic etc you would get hives even on the smallest dose. Hope this is working well for you but ask your doctor about what to do with the hives if they continue. have a good day.
DNC4384
31 March 2016
I'm having the itchy rash too. Always worse of an evening. Did yours get better? I called my Dr's office and they said to quit taking it. I don't want to though! I wanna lose weight! Anyway... did yours get better with time?
DNC4384
31 March 2016
I'm having the itchy rash too. Always worse of an evening. Did yours get better? I called my Dr's office and they said to quit taking it. I don't want to though! I wanna lose weight! Anyway... did yours get better with time?
Stella123D
31 Dec 2016
Yes. I was very disappointed when I broke out in hives, while on Contrave, because it actually was working very well for me. My IM told me that it could take a couple of weeks for me to really notice a difference in my appetite but I lost my hunger almost immediately. At the time, I figured it was placebo effect but now I wonder if I was allergic to a component and that was why I reacted so quickly. Either way, I believe it works and WISH I could have remained on Contrave. The entire program, with the scale and extra attention beyond "pill popping" was well thought out. Someone is experiencing the benefit, I hope!
Mickey34639
22 March 2017
I've been taking Contrave for about a month now, but did it very slowly, just increasing to 2 pills twice a day last week. It was just after I started that dose that I noticed itching on backs of legs and inside of arms. Now I have little bump in those places and the itching is worse at night. I plan to cut back to 3 pills per day to see if that helps
Related topics
Further information
- Contrave uses and safety info
- Contrave prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Contrave (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.