Bupropion / naltrexone and Upset Stomach: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Eri...
• July 6, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm on day 4. So far, the side effects have not been horrible. I did have some stomach cramping and nausea. I'm a bit tired during the day. I took other people's advice and am taking the pill with food, and I've avoided carbonated drinks. I did have some pop one day, and it made me feel sick. So I'm trying to just drink water all day. So far, I haven't noticed a big difference in my appetite, so I'm hoping that will change next week when I up the dosage."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Contrave 7 days ago - absolutely no side effects - though still titrating up to the higher dose. I'm 5'3" 220 lbs. Need to lose every bit of 100 lbs. Maybe notice some tummy issues today - but they were symptoms of having eaten too much - need to change my eating patterns for sure."

• Try...
• March 9, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I had a bad experience with Contrave. The first day I took it, I started to itch. Had to take an allergy pill to help. I started becoming lightheaded. I had blurry vision and an upset stomach on the second pill. Didn't work for me. I may be allergic to what's in it. Had to pay out of pocket, insurance did not cover. Waste of money. :("

• Jun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am a 32-year-old female, 5'5" and went in weighing 205. I am an athlete, however, I am hungry all the time. I actually feel hungry all the time, and the inner dialogue was always about food. I have been on Contrave for 2 weeks and 2 days. I have lost 6 pounds, and the inner dialogue is becoming less and less every day, and the hunger is gone. It is a miracle. I will say that I did have a headache for 3 days when I went to 2 pills a day. Yesterday, I started 2 pills in the AM and noticed that when I eat after taking it, my stomach cramps something awful. After about 30 minutes, the pain produces a bowel movement, and I am fine. I would much rather have this side effect than the headache or nausea. I am anxious to see how I do on the full 4 pills a day."

• hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm only on day three. I've actually been holding on to my pill bottle for over a month because I was afraid of the side effects based on other reviews. I still feel quite hungry throughout the day, but I seem to fill up easier than I normally do. I have experienced the 'twilight zone' feeling for about 4 hours after taking it (at lunchtime works best for me). Feeling a bit nauseated as well, and had some very mild stomach cramps this morning. My mood has been okay, maybe a tad cranky in the afternoon and sluggish by early evening. But my hopes are high that this will help me out. No weight loss yet."

• Jul...
• April 15, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am just on my second day. I took a Contrave ER yesterday and this morning. So far, the only side effects I have noticed are a little brain fogginess in the morning (I am drinking an extra cup of coffee to combat that) and a little more thirst, which I am sure is a good thing if you are trying to lose weight. I was a little put off by Contrave ER when I read some of the side effects that some people have had (nausea, sweating, gastric disturbances, feeling jittery), but as of yet, and I know it's early, I haven't experienced anything like that. I also noticed I felt fuller sooner when I ate my breakfast this morning. So all in all, I would give it a thumbs up."

• BJS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am coming up on one month of using this medication. The first week or so, I had a headache, but it was mild, and drinking lots of water relieved it. The first day or so after I started, and each time I increased a dose, I had most of the other listed symptoms (nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation), but they went away in 24 to 48 hours. I started at 193 lb and lost 13 lb. I am a 57-year-old female. I am following Weight Watchers and am finally seeing success because my appetite is very low and my cravings are gone. I walk for an hour each day and sometimes do other exercise as well. Sometimes I think I would like something I used to crave, and then realize I am thinking about it out of habit and don't actually crave it at all. I feel really hopeful about this. Just really expensive for me, as insurance doesn't cover it."

• Dem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am in the emergency room right now from taking this medicine. I had a reaction to it. I am experiencing nausea, stomach ache, jitters, feeling of anxiousness. I regurgitated and my hands were shaking. Think twice before taking."

• smo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Contrave and was also on week 3, about to start week 4, when my face started breaking out really badly! I went from having perfectly clear skin to having multiple pimples all over my face! The areas where I had the pimples would get red immediately. I also broke out in my chest area and even got some on my thighs!! Finally, in my 5th week, I stopped taking Contrave, and they are slowly all going away, but my face isn't 100% clear yet. I was also experiencing headaches, upset stomach, and severe dry mouth! The worst part of all is that I paid $90 and wasn't able to lose not even a pound!!! I was starving all the time, and my cravings were still impossible!!! I see the commercial on TV, and it's definitely false advertising!!!"

• TSw...
• February 3, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been taking Contrave for 2 weeks and 3 days. Ever since I started, I get bad stomach cramps after I eat. It doesn't matter if it's a well-proportioned, healthy, nutritious meal or an unhealthy meal, it happens after every meal. I feel nauseous a little still, and in the beginning, I felt nauseous more frequently! I feel energetic, sometimes tired, but that depends on my amount of sleep. For the most part, I feel energetic. Since I started taking this pill, I don't ever feel hungry, I have to remind myself to eat every 2-3 hours or I will only eat once a day, which is terrible. So all in all, the side effects are not worth it. This will be my last day because the stomach cramps have become an inconvenience and make me miserable after eating."

• Cow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I just started Contrave 5 days ago. The positives are that I've noticed my appetite is suppressed, and I'm eating smaller portions. Also sleeping great, but I am only on the 1x a day dose in the morning. The negative side is the nausea and stomach ache later in the day. I wouldn't consider them enough to stop at this point, and I plan to continue on with it at this point. Hoping these negative side effects will subside as my body gets used to it."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking the medication on Tuesday, so I have now been on it for four days. The second day, I wanted to eat everything and anything I could put in my mouth, so I know I must have put on some weight. Today is Friday and I've finished dinner, I am sick to my stomach and want to throw up. The thought of food right now is making me sick. I had stomach cramps a couple of days ago. Usually, around this time, I am going to the refrigerator to see what I can put in my mouth, whether hungry or not. I plan on increasing my dose next Tuesday to 2 a day and so on. I hope this will work for me because nothing else has."

• Anonymous
• April 23, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "One week on Contrave. First few days were awful, with dizziness, vomiting, nausea. This seems to have passed. I thought it was helping with food addiction, however, I binge-ate last night and tonight. Today, I started taking two pills a day, so I will see how it goes. I'm hoping it doesn't affect my ability to sleep, but I'm worried about that as I'm usually crashed by 10 pm, and I'm wide awake at the moment. I may have lost a few pounds initially, I think, due to the upset stomach, but after the two-night binge, it's back on. Please, others share your experiences..."

• How...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Day 1, fine until evening, felt incredibly out of it and no filter (said what was on my mind without thinking twice at work, lol). I didn't sleep well that night. Next day, better mood-wise, didn't sleep much that night again. Next day started off in a great mood, then no filter midday, didn't sleep well again. Next day, headache all day, pretty intense, could be dehydrated though. Need to start taking the second one earlier so I can sleep better. Day 5 today, head achy, I felt full after eating a normal amount of food (instead of eating way more than needed) and stopped eating, this is good. It's also new to me. I hope it lasts. I've been tired this week, but I also haven't been sleeping well. Some constipation and there were some slight stomach issues."

• not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2015

"I have been on Contrave for about 3 weeks. I am still unable to take the full dose (4 pills a day), but I am seeing wonderful results. I have hypothyroidism, and it has been really difficult for me to get rid of the weight. My doctor decided to put me on this medication, and I have mixed emotions about it. I have felt foggy and dizzy, and some days I am moody. I find that small things bug me. That is starting to go away. I only take 2 in the morning and one in the evening. So far, I have lost 10 lbs. It is like every morning I get on the scale and another pound is gone. I can't eat as much because it will upset my stomach. Other than the side effect for the first 2 weeks, things seem to be working for me. Also, it is helping me not to smoke."

• Cca...
• May 3, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am only on my 3rd day of Contrave, but since I was already taking half of the med, I was able to start at week 2. First evening, right away I noticed no desire to eat, no preference for food. I've been eating only because my stomach growls, and I am eating very little. I only had an upset stomach. My situation is a special circumstance. I am not overweight. I cannot exercise due to a chronic pain condition. And that is why I have to stop. As noted, the naltrexone's primary use is to block opioid receptors to help people with addiction. It's blocking my pain meds, so I'm in excruciating pain. Contrave seems to work, but kind of scary if something happens and you need pain meds at a hospital, Contrave blocks a lot of the pain med relief for me."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have now been on Contrave for 3 weeks, and I am taking 3 pills a day now. I am down 18 pounds, with only one side effect: dry lips. I have cut out drinking soda and have a healthy 1200 calorie intake each day. I do cheat every Saturday with one meal. I only get an upset stomach/bloated feeling when I eat something heavy. I received my scale and started my weigh-ins. Looking forward to sticking with this!! Start weight is 207, I am now at 189! I work in an office, so I don't always get exercise all day long."

• Old...
• November 4, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am just finishing my second week taking Contrave and have lost 10 lbs. It has been an interesting experience because the drug is definitely not an appetite suppressant, yet it does help you control the urge to eat. I have had mild side effects - some stomach discomfort and slight headaches along with constipation, but it has all been easily manageable. If you are considering taking this medication, please keep in mind that you still need to do the work by exercising and eating right, but the medication really does help. It has helped me get my motivation back to exercise, and it definitely helps with cravings to eat, making it easy to just eat what I need to be healthy. Use the coupon they give you, it drops the cost to $70."

• Wei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started my pills on 06/07/2018. After reading all the side effects, I was a little scared. I weigh 183 lb at the start and have not reweighed yet. I want to get down to 127 lb (I am not tall!) The only side effects I have now are dry mouth, a little shaking, and stomach cramps a little. I’m only on one pill a day. I start taking two pills starting Saturday. I do workout, only walking on the treadmill. I have a Fitbit watch that I have friends on, I do challenges during the week."

• Anonymous
• May 14, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took Contrave as the doctor ordered. I did not feel any improvement in appetite or weight loss. When I got to the third week, 2 am and 1 pm, I was feeling bloated, stomach hurt. I thought I would try to get to week 4, which was 2 am and 2 pm, but I didn't get there. I was starting to feel out of breath and really bloated. I went back to the doctor. I said I cannot take this anymore, it is making me feel bad. I feel alright now. But my share of the cost of Contrave was $229.00, which I am out of pocket for, and still have half the pills of 120 left."

• 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."

• Hoc...
• April 13, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This is day three for me taking Contrave. I was really excited to start the med because I knew it was closely related to Wellbutrin. Years ago, I took Wellbutrin to stop smoking, and it worked great. So, day 1, I weighed 197 lb, and I'm 5'3. Felt kind of fuzzy, and in the later afternoon, a bit nauseous. Day 2, after sleeping great, woke up and took morning med, and shortly later, felt nauseous, but not bad enough to quit. Absolutely no appetite, had cereal and a beef stick for lunch. Evening dinner was half of a small steak and green beans. Woke up with stomach cramps and diarrhea, had 3 bouts. I attribute it to the high-fatty foods I ate. Weigh in again on 4/24/17. Dr. gave me a free month supply, so I will try it before I buy it."

• Car...
• December 10, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on this med for 2 months, and I've lost 22 pounds. Once you get over the hurdles like the jitters, headaches, and upset stomach, the med really is a dream. I have a binge eating disorder and OCD. This has curbed that need to keep eating and a lot of other problems related to the OCD. I'm less obsessive, which leads to fewer compulsions, and not spending all my hard-earned money on takeout, online shopping, and other forms of useless spending. I started out rather heavy, 353, and I honestly can say it's really amazing to not have that urge to eat all the time. It's amazing what you can focus on when food is not on your mind 24/7. It's nice being focused, and I can't wait to see where I'm at in a year! It's a 9 because it's $$$."

• K...
• December 29, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on this medication for two days and have had diarrhea and stomach cramping. Haven't noticed a huge difference in my hunger, but time will tell. I still have hope. Female, 33 years old and 224 starting weight."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "The first month on Contrave, I lost 7 pounds, I probably could have lost more, but I did cheat a lot. My stomach does get upset sometimes, but overall, no bad experiences. I am starting my second month now, I only take one pill a day."