... weight loss success
Hi everyone Im planning to start contrave soon...just wondering how are u guys liking it so far, any
Question posted by Nishajain on 8 Dec 2014
Last updated on 30 April 2019
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16 Answers
I started contrave last week ,I'm constantly hungry ,depressed ,moody and super sleepy falling asleep in day time , I am noticing some weight loss ,but is the other side effects ok and going to change is what I'm wondering .
Hi! I started today and am kinda worried about the NO SEX DRIVE bit? You mean you do not want it at all? Are you dry? I really want to loose weight and am really curious about the sex situation... you have sex once a week and you are good? Or not at all?
Help!!
I am now on my 3rd week of Contrave, and still feels no effect on my craving. I am still eating the same type of food and quantity as before starting with Contrave. I will continue taking it, since I think that the right dose is 4 pills a day. Did anyone experienced the same "no effect"? Any solution?
Hello! I have started taking Contrave and I am currently on my third week, which means I’m taking 2 in the AM and 1 in the PM (early afternoon for me)
Unfortunately I haven’t had the greatest experience with this drug. I’ve experienced most of the side effects ( irritability, nausea, headaches & vivid nightmares).
Although I haven’t gained or lost and weight, I still have urges to mindlessly eat and I’ve lost my sex drive / energy in general.
Am I the only one who hasn’t had a good experience with Contrave?
I was previously taking Phentermine and managed to lose 44 lbs in the first 3 months (it can be hard on the body/heart).
I plan to call my Doctor in the morning to discuss my reaction and to seek a new course of action.
Same for me. Did you find a solution for that?
I quit taking Contrave in 2017 due to throwing up at the full dosage. I had made it to the 4 pills a day but I started throwing up almost daily. I was losing weight. I do believe I was down about 10 to 15 pounds in that first month.
I have just started back this week. This is day 2 with just the 1 pill daily. The nausea has started early. I was hoping it would be easier the 2nd time.
Anyone still trying? Has anyone tried taking the am pills with like a protein shake? I am not a big eater in the mornings normally, and this medicine is not helping with that.
I read about ginger and will try that next.
Any new tips on dealing with the stomach upset? Would Pepto Bismo coat the stomach too much?
I am doing really well on it. I am almost done with my 4th week and have lost 14 lbs. The only side effect I have experienced is nightmares.
Don’t feel bad, I have been having the nightmares too, very vivid, thought it was just me, glad there is this chat. Good luck & Congratulations on the 14 pounds- keep it up!!
I read the dreams would be vivid. I haven’t experienced that yet but I’m only on the second week.
Hi I have just started my two pills twice a day and just now starting to see less cravings and not as hungry. I get fuller faster and
I do not think about food as much. I have read that you have to be patient it takes a while for contrave to work on the brain I have trained to constantly eat.
I took my first dose today. I currently weigh 200#, 5'8" post-menopause and hypothyroidism. I have tried so many different ways to lose weight it's pathetic. I used to be able to lose weight fairly quickly just by reducing calories and exercising. Now it seems futile. I am hopeful with this medication as I have never taken medication to lose weight and it sounds like most people on this feed are having success. I will check in next week.
I just started today. I’m 5’3 and need to lose fourth pounds. I am hoping to lose the weight quickly! I am also on Effexor- is anyone else on an antidepressant with this drug?
Today is my second day. I was taking Bupropion, but my doctor took me off of that when I started Contrave. I am still taking Fluoxetine. No problems except for minor headache. How about you?
Took Contrave one year ago and lost 18 pounds in the first month. Had a constant nausea that prohibited me from eating anything other than salteens. I quit after one month because of the acrid taste in my mouth that became unbearable.
I have, recently, started taking Contrave month and half ago. Instead of taking the four pills per day,
i take two in the morning and one at night. The acrid taste is still there, but was reduced to a mild effect. I lost 15 pounds in the first month and half. It has completely taken away my body's craving for carbs and allows me to choose what I want to eat rather than what my body craves. I find that I can only stomach certain foods and that changes as time goes by. I choose to eat protein and I choose to not eat carbs.
I'm wondering if, when I've reached my goal, if just taking Welbrutrin will give the same effect?
Does anyone know? RT
Hi I just took my first pill today and tried almost every other pill and nothing has worked. How's it been for you so far?
Hi there,
I am starting week 4 tomorrow~so far no major weight loss, but I'm also on my cycle this week. I have had absolutely no issues or side effects, except yesterday... my fingers (by knuckles) and finger nails were blueish. (It looked as though a pen had exploded on my fingers and I wiped it in like lotion) I have never had this happen to me before where my hands looked "blue". And no my hands weren't cold. I looked online and couldn't find anything except a lot of health scares. Today my fingers seem normal and my nails have also gone back to somewhat normal color. Has anyone else had this happen and does anyone think it could have been a reaction to something I ate with the Contrave?
Hey so glad I found a chat about contrave. I started it the week after Christmas and the first week I felt no difference but after that it's been great. Ever since January 1 I haven't had any cravings for sweets which was my weakness and fast food. I feel very satisfied sooner and I have no side effects except for no sex drive whatsoever. But that's fine for now. However, tonight I have been starving more than normal and I grabbed 2 cookies because they were there and after I ate them I felt sick which is a good thing. I guess my body is telling me to continue to stay away from the enemy!! I love the scale they sent, you guys have that? I have lost 8 lbs in 3 weeks which sounds less than you all but it's fine with me.
Good luck
I'm glad I found a chat too. I just took my first pill this morning. It sounds like it's working for you, have you lost any weight? I really hope this works for me! I have so much to loose and am just not happy with myself.
I have been on it for a month and lost 7 lbs so far. I go to my Endo doc Friday to discuss continuing it and dosages. It's great so far
I started about one week ago, and have not heard anything about a scale! How do I get the one from contrave? I'm happy so far, and have not really had any bad side effects but my eyes feel weird from time to time! I have only been taking the am pill and tonight my 5th day I feel like I'm starving!
Week 1 easy, week 2 horrible- I found I must take with food if I did not extreme nausea, vomiting, and cramping and I am not the complaining type. Once I learn to eat a bit with the pill week 3 things are getting better but you ladies are right about the sex Drive is not there — not fun! ;( down 7 pounds and hopeful!
I've been on this drug for almost 2 months. I am really liking the way it curbs my appetite. In addition, I go to the gym 4 times per week. I'm down 21 lbs, can run a mile, ride a bike 8 miles, and can walk 4 miles. Drawbacks... nausea, sometimes stomach cramps, periodically get headaches.
I am in LOVE with this drug! I no longer live to eat, but I eat to live. I have never felt like this in my entire life. I feel "normal" and I love it because I am no longer focused on food. I've lost 12 pounds and have been on it since end of October. Now..if I could just get rid of the nausea and headaches. Ugh.
I've been on Contrave for 5 days and so far it has really worked to control my appetite. I was pessimistic and cautious at first b/c it's a new combo drug. And while each drug has individually been prescribed for years, as a combo drug, data is relatively new. My doc and I will watch closely to see how I respond. Also, I am re-starting my martial arts training program and have put myself on a low cal diet. I don't want to be reliant on drugs for rest of my life.
That being said, I can unequivocally say, this drug is working. On NYE we went to my fav restaurant and I had to practically make myself eat AND drink wine. I didn't finish anything. It was weird for me b/c special occasions, like NYE, can warrant a pass on life restrictions :-).
The down side... I experienced insomnia the first 2 days which went away. The only SE I'm having issues with started today - dizziness, nausea, and a general feeling of malaise... all day. To the point of only wanting to lie down, which is not like me. I felt bad for my 5yr old who really wanted to play today. I'll stay on for a couple more days to see if it passes. But if not, I'll have to stop taking it. And that sucks b/c it's really working to curb my cravings and appetite.
I started one month ago. I like how it changes how I look at food... food is no longer my entire focus all day long. I have lost about 10 lbs and still going strong. My only negative is that I get an upset stomach occasionally. Good luck!
Thanks for yr input yeah I heard nausea and upset stomach is main side effect.
Also way less sex drive which sort of goes with the pleasure sensations you get by eating. Hate that.
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Further information
- Contrave uses and safety info
- Contrave prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Contrave (detailed)
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