Contrave and Vomiting: What Users Say

• 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."

• TLM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "If you care anything about your health and well-being, I do not recommend this medication. I experienced stomach pain ten times worse than labor pains and 100% worse than pain related to a punch to the stomach. I had projectile vomiting to the point that I started vomiting bile, I was hospitalized with extremely elevated WBCs. It's been five days since my first/last dose, and I am still unable to eat more than 1/2 cup of yogurt and/or applesauce at a time. I am taking four new medications and was diagnosed with new-onset enteritis. The symptoms started within 30 minutes of taking my one and only dose. Please do not take this medication."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Pok...
• July 7, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Worst drug I've ever taken in my life. I thought I was going to die-tremors, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heart beating out of my chest. Had to go to the ER. Stay away!"

• Wor...
• July 7, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took it thinking it won’t be so bad. I lasted 4 days before stopping it! It caused side effects of vomiting, dizziness, and headaches, which is pretty bad. I am really sick. Shaking as I am typing this. Worst drug to ever take! Please just lower your carbs and move more. Don’t take this drug, it’s the worst thing I have ever tried in my whole entire life."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have tried Contrave twice with disastrous results! The first time I reacted to it, I was told that it wasn't possibly related to the medication, but I stopped anyway. The symptoms I had were severe nausea, vomiting, fever, aches, and the worst part, a rash that peeled all my skin off a bit at a time from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet! It was intensely painful! I had stopped taking Contrave, and my condition improved over 18 months for my skin healing. Then, about 6 months ago, I decided to try it again as the doctors said that they were sure it was safe, so I took one pill from a new prescription, and within an hour, all the symptoms had come back! I did not take any more after that, but had to deal with the illness and skin peeling off again for 4 months, and it was terrible! It was concluded after seeing specialists that the rash, etc., was a result of Contrave, and it was very nearly deadly for me as this time it also caused an arrhythmia. I do not recommend using this product to anyone!"

• Yor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Was prescribed by my doctor. On the 2nd day, I informed my doctor of severe vomiting and diarrhea. Told to discontinue use. Symptoms still continued and got worse. Couldn't keep anything down. Ended up in the ER. Would not take this ever again."

• Cas...
• June 18, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am 5'3 at 167 lbs. I started on June 2, 2021. I kept stepping on the scale. Now on my 2nd week taking 2 pills a day. Just stepped on the scale and I am 2 lbs down. I have been feeling full on just eating smaller portions or snacks. Still want a few cookies though, lol. Now I haven’t changed my diet either, I’ve slowed down on junk but no major changes. I will finish a full 6 weeks, consistency is key, right? Hopefully I can drop another 18 lbs. Update 6/17/21. I am now on 3 pills and my first day was super harsh. I did great in the morning but the evening pill came with side effects. I felt super weak, hot, jittery, and I threw up. I have had chest pains a few times, which didn’t last long. This evening wasn’t as bad, just a little nausea. Anyways, I am now 161 lbs at the beginning of the 3rd week, 6 lbs lost. I started working out and am on my 3rd week as of yesterday. At-home workouts, nothing major. Will update again."

• BON...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am now fighting for my life after taking Contrave for weight loss for 1 week and 5 days ago. The instruction says limit drinking, I had 1 shot of skinny vodka with mango juice, and within half an hour, my right foot got numb, heart palpitation, feeling of vomiting, and I fainted. I stopped drinking and continued the meds, the same symptoms occurred 3 days later but worse. My blood pressure was 179/111, my husband called 911 and rushed me to the ER, advised me to discontinue Contrave, but they did not know, nor did I, that you cannot stop cold turkey. So, 3 days later, I was back in the ER. CT scan, blood clot test, heart test were done, all negative, they realized I was going through horrible withdrawal. Today is day 10 since I stopped the medication, and I was so bad last night from the same symptoms. It wakes me up with stomach cramps, leg numbness, heart palpitations, high BP. I had no med issues prior."

• Wen...
• April 18, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took one pill. Within a few hours, I was dizzy, had a horrible headache, vomited, and nausea all day. Waste of the $144.00 I paid."

• mkk...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I am a 51-year-old female. My doctor has seen me yo-yo with weight and struggle at times with my type 2 diabetes. She seemed excited to offer me this prescription. I read some reviews and had some doubts but I trust her implicitly, so I started the process. Honestly, I wanted to quit within the first couple of months. Horrible nausea, terrible vomiting, and I hate vomiting. I persevered and am ecstatic with my results so far. I have been on this medication for 7 months and I have lost 57 lbs. I don't count calories, I listen to my body. I don't drink coffee anymore, and I used to drink a lot! I don't even like alcohol. Changed my tastes for foods. I don't crave anything. I know it may be rough the first few months, but I recommend sticking it out. I can't even remember the last time I was this weight and size. I'm so emotionally happy. I wish you all the best, what do you have to lose? Hopefully weight. Lol"

• Poc...
• January 13, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Took one Contrave tablet yesterday morning. As the day wore on, I could feel my heart beating really quickly. By 7 pm, my blood pressure was 151/94. Normally, it sits at around 110/80. By 9:30 pm, I was vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, and chills, and a terrible headache. I will never take this drug again, and I’m really seriously surprised that it’s available. It’s now 36 hours since I took the one tablet, and I still feel really nauseous and shaky. It’s just awful."

• Lee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 1, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was able to lose 50 lbs through calorie restriction and exercising, but I plateaued. Finally, I started Contrave, and now I’ve been on it for almost a year. Day 1 was incredible. I wasn’t craving food every minute of the day, kept thinking is this how NORMAL people feel? Day 2 my appetite came back, but it was manageable. I lost 40 lbs in 8 months, but for the past 3 months, I keep losing and gaining the same 2-3 lbs. Also, the pills make me gag every time I take them. That has been the worst problem, but from the beginning, I’ve also experienced hot flashes several times a day and at night, and also constant constipation (have to take a stool softener since extra fiber alone doesn’t work). I walk on the treadmill and ride a stationary bike every night about 2-2.5 hrs, but then I’m super hungry. I wish Contrave extended till bedtime and didn’t make me gag."

• Tau...
• April 30, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking Contrave for a while now. At the start, I did have vomiting. I’m on 2 tablets in the morning and night. I have lost just over 16 kilograms."

• Mar...
• October 22, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am a 34-year-old female, 183 lbs and a BMI of 28. I wonder if my doc should have even prescribed this to me... I used this drug for 3 days and had a horrible experience. My side effects were stomach cramping, severe headache, and violent vomiting. The brain fog many speak of turned into severe headaches and nausea turned into violent bouts of vomiting. To the point that I thought I would have to be admitted to the hospital. Also, I was unaware this contains an opiate blocker, naltrexone, and the ingredient bupropion, used to treat depression, the neurological effects were also quite concerning. I had spasms in my muscles and joints, like small surges of electric shock. I had a really scary experience and do not recommend this to anyone unless they have done thorough research on how the ingredients can affect them. I have been off of this drug for 2 days and still feel unwell."

• Pol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "OMG. Please read the side effects and think long and hard about starting this drug. It cost me $240, and after 8 days, I have stopped taking them. The nausea was debilitating, and then the vomiting started. Not worth it. I could not go another day feeling like garbage while trying to function in my family unit. Has made me rethink my whole approach to my weight loss journey."

• Puk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Paid a lot for this medication, $365 month supply (you need to get month + at a time because the pharmacist's directives not to open the packaging for weekly or bi-weekly scripts). I was hopeful. I was extremely nauseous weeks 1 and 2, it was unbearable. I bought Gravol, and it didn’t work. By week 3 (9/80 mg 3x day), I was vomiting randomly. Been on 30 different types of meds and never experienced anything like it. Actually gained 2 lbs the first two weeks, and the 3rd/4th I changed my diet drastically, so I lost 12 lbs. Still had intense food cravings. Needed to discontinue due to the side effects. Now left with $150 of medication!"

• CBa...
• July 5, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "On day three, I experienced debilitating dizziness, extreme nausea, and violent vomiting. I had to call a family member to pick me up from work and drive me home. I switched the schedule and took 1 pill at night for two weeks. This helped decrease the side effects very little, and I still missed 3 days of work in two weeks due to the side effects. I continued taking the medication because I wanted to be successful. By week four, I had additional side effects of dry mouth, constipation, and I felt very foggy. By week six, I had lost 3 pounds and decided to stop taking Contrave due to the side effects. I didn’t even taper off, I just got so sick and tired of the side effects I just stopped taking the medication abruptly. It took about 2 weeks before feeling normal again. I was supposed to only have a three-month supply, but the medication was “conveniently” automatically reordered. Now I have a 2 1/2 month supply (that cost a lot of money) going to waste!! Not recommended."

• Res...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Been on Contrave since Nov of 2018. Beginning weight 323 lb and I’m 5’8. I’m down 40 lbs now. Had a couple ups and downs because I am not as committed with exercise as I should be. Definitely curbs cravings and can only eat small portions. The one side effect I struggle with is gagging. I can be enjoying my meal and all of a sudden my body tells my brain that I’m done. It’s almost a feeling of disgust with my food that makes me gag and many times have to spit food out in a napkin. Even if it’s my most favorite thing to eat in the world... it’s so weird!!! Mild diarrhea for me as well, but I also have a very sensitive digestive system. Overall I think this medication has done wonders to improve my life. Weight, confidence, depression... many positive perks and recommend for anyone with weight struggles to give it a go. Insurance didn’t cover the cost but you can get a coupon from the Contrave website to help with saving some money."

• Bur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Contrave has been a godsend for me! My starting weight was 235 lb on 9/4/18. It is 12/9/18, and I have lost 28 lbs! I have experienced ZERO side effects. In addition to using Contrave, I have been exercising 3-4 times per week, eating an Atkins bar once a day as a meal replacement, and eating smaller meals in general. I did roll the dice last night and had my first glass of wine (okay, 2 glasses). I love wine and have stopped since taking Contrave. I awoke at midnight feeling nauseated and vomited several times. Needless to say, no more wine while on Contrave. I am so happy with the results and the lifestyle changes I have made."

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I did fine with 1 pill in the AM and 1 in PM, but became extremely ill after increasing to 2 in the AM. The doctor told me to continue another week, but I continued to vomit and have dry heaves. So they told me to just do 1 twice a day. I continued on this for about 6 months and suffered from horrible headaches, constant nausea, lethargy, night sweats, hot flashes, depression, constipation, and the only food I could stomach was French fries and Sprite. I lost about 7 pounds the entire time I used it. I weaned myself off and feel like myself again. Of course, I’ve gained 10 pounds in the 2 months I’ve been off. Not worth the cost or the horrible way I felt while taking it. On a side note, my doctor told me it was safe and I could take it the rest of my life, I do not agree at all. It is a horrible medication."

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I did fine with 1 pill in the AM and 1 in PM, but became extremely ill after increasing to 2 in the AM. The doctor told me to continue another week, but I continued to vomit and have dry heaves. So they told me to just do 1 twice a day. I continued on this for about 6 months and suffered from horrible headaches, constant nausea, lethargy, night sweats, hot flashes, depression, constipation, and the only food I could stomach was French fries and Sprite. I lost about 7 pounds the entire time I used it. I weaned myself off and feel like myself again. Of course, I’ve gained 10 pounds in the 2 months I’ve been off. Not worth the cost or the horrible way I felt while taking it. On a side note, my doctor told me it was safe and I could take it the rest of my life, I do not agree at all. It is a horrible medication."