Contrave and Nausea: What Users Say

• sas...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 17, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on it for over 6 months, and the only real weight loss I had was the first two weeks because I was very nauseous. Maybe a lb or two a month, but nothing really."

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking Contrave since October 24 because I had 16 lbs to lose for the past year and couldn’t get the weight off because of cravings for everything and anything. When I started, I expected it to miraculously make me not hungry and lose weight right away like I read in some of the reviews. I stuck with it and took it as prescribed, still, very little was coming off. I did put in a little more exercising and drank more water, but still only losing 0.6 or 0.8 lbs a week. I stubbornly would not give in and continued, then it happened, I didn’t crave junk food anymore and I ate only until I was satisfied, not stuffed like I used to do. Then I started to lose a pound a week. This might not sound like much from reading the other reviews, but it was amazing to me because my cravings were gone, plus, I can’t stand eating anything sweet. It made me nauseous, so for me, that was wonderful. Once I started taking 4 pills, the weight has been coming off. Lost 13 lbs, so grateful."

• jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking Contrave on April 15th, 2023. Today's date is June 11th, 2023, and I've lost 30 lbs. This stuff is INTENSE! It takes a lot for my body to handle it, but the nausea does subside after about 2 weeks. I have the metal taste in my mouth that some people mentioned, but I just chew gum. I personally can't handle a full dose! When I take at 2 am and 2 pm, I can almost feel the drugs surging through my body, so I take 1 am and 1 pm. I feel like I lose more weight on the lower dose for some reason. Anyway, I would recommend Contrave, but only for a short period of time. I do not see this being a good thing to take long term."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "37 male, 6'6" tall. The first, I had a few instances of nausea, never vomited or experienced any severe side effects. The worst side effect I experienced were headaches for the first few days. After one month of taking this medication, two tablets in the morning, two at night, I had lost 18 pounds. This was without exercise and a low-carb diet, constipation is an ongoing issue. Nothing that can’t be dealt with by some MiraLAX. Now three months in, I have not lost any more weight. My appetite has increased. Slowly, my doctor feels my body has somehow become immune to this medication. I am now going to be trying Wegovy. I hope to have better long-term results with Wegovy without any of the side effects. Bottom line, Contrave worked for me, and I would recommend giving it a try. I have kept 15 of the 18 pounds off after the 3 months."

• luu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "The worst side effects I ever experienced. Since the first pill, I had dizziness, nausea, I vomited several times, I can't eat anything because I feel so sick. I can't believe a doctor prescribed this to me. I want this to work, but I have literally spent 5 days in bed because I can't do anything. This thing is poison. Today is my last day taking this."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "After one hour of taking Contrave, I felt nauseated and then vomited a few times; no gravel, ginger, or Pepto-Bismol helped. I had to take Zofran (the strongest antinausea meds) to stop vomiting. I had dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling drunk (very drunk), and sleepy, so I went to bed at about 7 pm instead of 11 pm like usual. The same happened for the rest of the week. When I increased the dose to twice a day, morning and evening, I started having hallucinations at night; (shoot, it scared me out). I also started having headaches and intense cravings for alcohol (I drink two times a year, at Christmas and my birthday, which is in summer), carbs, sweets, and other junk food. So I gained 6 pounds in two weeks. I stopped taking these pills about 4 days ago and still have side effects. I am now dealing with weird side effects: I have to overeat to stop nausea without a pill after I stopped taking Contrave. OMG, not even sure how long it takes to get Contrave out of my system to feel better."

• One...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’m 45 and either just don’t have the metabolism anymore or my hormonal changes are hindering weight loss. I exercise, diet, fast, and still my weight steadily creeps up or remains at a standstill each month. I’ve been on Contrave for just over a month now. I took it exactly as prescribed, and I’m now on two pills morning and night. The first couple of weeks I didn’t really have many side effects, initially, the dry mouth was a nuisance but tolerable. Once I reached the full dose, I would say the nausea is worse. Initially, it was random, but now it’s almost all day. I’m not vomiting and can eat, but I just feel sick throughout the day. Keeping busy and working helps deter the awareness of it, but it’s there. Happily, I have lost nearly 15 pounds. It does reduce cravings and generally feeling hungry, but right now the nausea is enough to make me not eat! I’ll stick with it for now…"

• Dot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I began taking this since the beginning of February. I have lost maybe 9 lbs. I am not sure if that's worth the awful way I feel. I take the pill with food and I'm fine for an hour or so, but then the nausea is so intense. I threw up once in the beginning, but I would prefer that to this long nausea. I'm sitting here now feeling like crap. I am still only taking 2 a day."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My experience with Contrave has been amazing! I have lost 24 lbs in 2 and a half months, and I have almost completely stopped binge eating. I think I have had maybe one slight binge since I started taking this medicine. This medicine has changed my life quite literally. I don't even think about food the way I used to, I feel free from the obsession. The only negative is that it does cause constipation, but I just take stool softeners to help with that. I never experienced the nausea or sickness in the beginning, but I have heard that some have and then it goes away. I had to come and leave a review because I want other people to experience this freedom from food."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This pill was recommended to me by my doctor to help lose weight and control cravings. I was shocked at how expensive it was, $300 for a month! I cringed buying this but knew it was important for my health. I only lasted four days on this before I NEEDED to quit. Within four days, this drug ruined my life (temporarily). The nausea, brain fog, dizziness, and exhaustion were SO bad I felt like a zombie and that I wasn’t even here those days. I felt like I was on a roller coaster and I couldn’t get off. It was awful. I do have to say my hunger subsided almost immediately and I didn’t have the sharp cravings anymore. But either way, the side effects were not worth it to me at all."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am now on week 3 and started two morning doses today. Week 1 I did not lose any weight. Last week I lost 2 lb. Even though the weight isn't falling off, I swear I feel like this is a miracle drug. I have been a huge sugar addict and food addict in general since I was in 5th grade (I'm 43 now). This is the first time ever I am not constantly thinking about food. Even when I've gone on diets and forced myself to not eat certain foods, I was still thinking about food and craving sweets. Those impulses have almost gone altogether. That's always been the hardest part for me. As far as side effects, the only one I've had is being very tired. I am prone to headaches and nausea, so went in expecting that, but I've been pleasantly surprised. I am 43, 5'2" and started at 215. My first goal is 44 pounds down by my 44th birthday, Feb. 11. Good luck to all of you in your journeys. :)"

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I really wanted to stay on this. I stopped after three days. Nausea, vomiting, fuzzy head, loss of balance, and dizzy. Just couldn’t do it at my age (74). Can’t afford to fall! Most can work through it."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm literally only on my second day of taking Contrave and have just experienced the worst nausea, sweating, stomach cramps, and dizziness. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, how long did it last for? Thanks!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 14, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This medicine is very good at helping you lose weight. So far, in about 3 months, I lost 42 pounds not exercising regularly or dieting. It cuts your appetite. It made me nauseous at first until I got used to it after a month or so, and when I had to stop, I kept the weight off and even lost a little extra. Love it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Took it for the first time today and experienced the worst nausea, vomiting, and headache I’ve had in a while. I don’t think I’ll take this medicine. I'm literally scared to take my second dose. $145 down the drain."

• Kok...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I had gastric sleeve 4 years ago, and I stopped losing weight after 2 and a half years. Then the pandemic hit, and I gained 20 lbs in 2020. I talked to my doctor, and he prescribed me phentermine, and he said that I cannot take it more than 3 months. I barely lost any weight on phentermine, it would only make me be very active, and I couldn't sleep at night. I heard about Contrave and wanted to give it a try. I went online and spoke to one of their online doctors, and he prescribed me Contrave. I have now been 6 months on it and lost 40 lbs. Yes, it's not a lot of weight, but I would rather lose weight slowly than lose nothing. At the beginning, I had some side effects such as nausea and insomnia. I decided not to stop and keep taking it, and now my body got used to it, and I don't have any more side effects. I am 30 lbs away from my goal. It's very expensive to pay $99 a month for this med. Thankfully, I was able to use my health savings account to pay for it. Very happy and no regrets!!"

• JAC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on my weight loss journey since January 2021. I started a change in diet and worked on that for five months. I lost 20-25 pounds. In June 2021, I asked my physician if there was a medication that is recommended to help along with diet and exercise. I was informed of Contrave. My doctor told me I needed to also exercise regularly, more than 150 minutes of exercise weekly, before she would prescribe it. So I started working out five days a week, 45-60 minutes daily. I started Contrave on July 1, 2021. It is January 26, 2022, and I have lost a total of 68 pounds. I did have one side effect of nausea. It lasted for less than a week. I have continued to exercise (3-4 days) and have a consistent diet while taking it. It is really a great medication to add if you are willing to put the extra work in. Since starting, I lost twice as much as I was doing it alone. (My insurance doesn't cover the medication. I went through a pharmacy and pay $99 monthly through their mail order)."

• den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I got on this pill 5 days ago, and it has been a terrible experience. My GP prescribed it for my binge eating problem and had to stop using Lexapro, as it may cause seizures if two pills are consumed together. For the last 5 days, I have been nauseous, vomiting, feeling extremely dizzy with vertigo-like symptoms. I'm also finding it difficult to think logically. The symptoms set in about 12 hours after taking the pill. Today, I had numerous crying spells throughout the day, and I feel unable to control my rage. Yes, this drug certainly does curb your appetite, may help you with eating or other addictions, but the side effects that come with it aren't worth it. I won't be taking it ever again."

• Sid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I had high hopes for this drug. I know it works for a lot of people. I found my appetite was suppressed and felt that if I could give it 4 weeks, the side effects would lessen. I went into week 5, but I still experienced nausea, tremors in my hands and legs, loss of balance, and irritability. These symptoms did not get better, only worse. I was so sick from this med that I started gagging when trying to swallow the pills. I had to go off during my 5th week. It was awful to my body. I do acknowledge that this works for some, and I wish I could have taken it longer. However, this drug made me so sick. I started to titrate down with my doctor's supervision. I have been off for just over a week, and the nausea and irritability are gone, but the tremors and loss of balance remain a problem. Ended with taking 4 pills per day, each containing 90 mg bupropion and 8 mg naltrexone. Weaned off in just under 2 weeks."

• JCW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "On Contrave for two months and down 25 lbs, cut way down on meal sizes and what I am eating. Haven’t done much exercise like I should, but my taste for junk food is gone and fast food is not what I crave anymore. I cook hearty meals at home and I am full on small portions. The slight nausea I had starting out was nothing to how much better I feel already. God bless and have a wonderful day!!!"

• Gee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Day 1, took with breakfast and literally almost called 911. I had an overwhelming sense of paranoia, extreme anxiety, and trouble breathing, but maybe due to the anxiety. Felt nauseous and a floaty feeling. Nope, not for me."

• rha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "After reading countless reviews on Contrave, I was nervous to start taking it. But, after talking to my doc, I came to the conclusion that it would help me lose weight as well as drink less wine. Yesterday, I took the first pill in the a.m., I followed others' advice and took Bonine along with eating a light meal of egg white and a turkey sausage patty. I also had a cup of tea. Well, less than 1.5 hrs later, I was extremely nauseous and threw up that breakfast. Within 3 hours, it had passed. But then I got super duper drowsy and almost had to take a nap. Today, I was super nervous to take it again, but I took 2 Bonine 30 minutes prior to eating and taking the pill. I drank lots and lots of water, and there was no nausea. It is now 6 hours later, and I am struggling to hold my eyes open. I wanted to share how to maybe manage nausea/vomiting. After being on it for a month, I will post an update. Uber expensive at $325 a bottle. Asking doc to prescribe the 2 meds separately next time, much cheaper!"

• Jaq...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been using Contrave for 2 weeks. So far, it works better than anything I've tried (I have tried all of the OTC weight loss pills and amphetamines). My biggest problem is uncontrollable binge eating. When I take Contrave, I completely lose the desire to overeat. The 1st week, I tried - just out of habit. First, I felt full, and then, when I continued eating, I started to feel nauseous. I could not finish my food! That is the 1st time that has happened to me. For the past 2 weeks, I haven't been able to eat more than a single serving of food at a time. It's truly amazing. I've been taking it as directed. For me, it doesn't really have any side effects except the feeling of nausea. I had to stop my ADHD meds because it doesn't mix well with amphetamines."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Day 4. Lost 4 lbs. Nausea all day, but especially in the evening it sucks!!! I’m on one pill in the mornings for the next 3 days, then 1 in the evening and 1 in the morning. I am a coffee drinker, like half a pot daily. I have no craving for coffee now (that’s super surprising to me!!). I am not eating much, and since this is the case, what I do eat I make sure it’s healthy. Kind of on a raw diet, and I’m okay with that!! I was also a whiskey drinker but have no desire to drink alcohol. Actually, my first day taking it (should have waited until the following day), I went to a brunch with friends and had a mimosa. I was SO sick that evening, so I may just be afraid to try any alcohol due to that experience. I know they say don’t drink anyway, so I won’t. So….only issue so far is the nausea, which I hope goes away soon."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Just started Contrave today and holy moly, I am very sick to my stomach. Like just laying here not wanting to move so I don't vomit. I'm tired, like extremely tired. I'll take another one when I wake up in the morning, hopefully this subsides because I'm 42 and have gained 30 pounds since November and I'm miserable, and have a terrible dislike for myself so I need this to work for me. I'm gonna power through hopefully! I'll update again to let you know if it gets better."