If you are starting a weight loss medication like Contrave, you may be wondering, “What is the typical Contrave dosage?” The dosage usually starts out low and is gradually increased over four weeks to help your body gradually become used to the medication.
Your doctor will provide guidance for your specific circumstances and will create your Contrave dosage schedule.
What Is Contrave?
Contrave is a weight loss medication that combines naltrexone and bupropion to help reduce hunger and food cravings. It is only available by prescription and must be used under the supervision of a qualified doctor.
Dr. Okeefe Simmons at Simmons MD Weight and Healthcare Solutions offers his patients weight loss medications, including Contrave in Miami, FL. These medications are meant to be used with a doctor-supervised weight loss program that is created just for you.
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your medical history, other medications you may be taking, and how you respond to the medication.
What Is the Typical Contrave Dosage?
Each Contrave tablet contains 8 mg of naltrexone and 90 mg of bupropion and is designed to release the medication into your system gradually throughout the day.
Most people start this medication with a low dose that gradually increases in strength over the next four weeks. This slow increase helps reduce the risk or severity of side effects because it gives your body time to adjust to the medication. Most people have side effects when they first start taking Contrave, with the most common being nausea.
A Contrave dosing chart normally outlines this four-week schedule, but your doctor will guide your exact titration schedule to best suit your needs and circumstances. Do not take more than the recommended amount or change your dose without your doctor’s guidance.
How to Take Contrave
To get the most out of your medication, it is important to take it as directed. The manufacturer of Contrave recommends the following:
- Take your Contrave exactly as prescribed.
- Swallow the tablets whole.
- Do not cut, crush, or chew the tablets.
- Take the medication at the same time every day.
- Avoid eating a meal high in fat right before taking Contrave.
- If you miss your regular dose, skip it and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
- Call your doctor or pharmacist with any questions you may have about how to take Contrave.
Why Contrave Dosage Increases Slowly
The dose you take of Contrave does not stay the same during the first month and is intentionally increased gradually. The idea is to allow the medication to build up in your body over time to mitigate the risks of having severe side effects. This will not completely alleviate side effects, like nausea, headaches, and issues with sleeping, but may help reduce their intensity.
Can Your Doctor Change Your Contrave Dose?
Yes. Not everyone needs the same strength of Contrave to be effective, and your doctor may adjust your dose for your needs and circumstances. Your doctor may alter your dose for some of the following reasons:
- The medication at a lower dose is working effectively.
- You have kidney or liver disease.
- You’re currently taking another medication that interacts with Contrave.
- You are experiencing side effects that you are unable to tolerate.
Your doctor will monitor your progress with Contrave and may keep track of the following:
- Heart rate.
- Blood pressure.
- Any side effects and their severity.
- Weight loss results.
Your doctor may change your Contrave dose based on the monitoring results.
What Happens After Week 4 With Contrave Dosing?
Most patients increase their dosage each week for four weeks until they reach the highest dose at the end of week 4, which is when their maintenance dose begins. This means they stay on this dose for the rest of their treatment if it is working well for them and if they are not having chronic side effects.
You will attend follow up visits or virtual check-ins so your doctor can continue to track your vitals and determine if the medication is still working for you as expected.
Most doctors also evaluate how your body is responding to the medication after about 12 weeks of maintenance to determine if any adjustments need to be made.
Where Can I Find A Medical Weight Loss Specialist In Miami?
Finding the right doctor to oversee your weight loss journey is key to finding the right medication and the best weight loss solutions to achieve your desired results.
Dr. Okeefe Simmons with Simmons MD Weight and Healthcare Solutions provides medical weight loss solutions for patients in the Miami area, along with virtual weight loss medication consultations for eligible patients.
Dr. Simmons is triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine. He and his team of professionals work with individuals to create and monitor their customized plan to help them safely reach their weight loss goals. Set up a consultation today to learn more about weight loss medication and if it might be a good fit for you.
FAQs
What Is the Usual Contrave Dosage Schedule?
Normally, Contrave is started at the low dosage of 8 mg of naltrexone + 90 mg bupropion and then may be increased up to the highest dose of 32 mg of naltrexone + 360 mg bupropion. Your doctor will set the best dosage schedule for you and will oversee your program to ensure you are losing weight safely.
Do I Need to Memorize the Manufacturer’s Recommended Contrave Dosing Chart?
No. There is no need to memorize the typical Contrave dosing chart, because your doctor will give you the exact directions for you to follow during your medical weight loss treatment.
The goal is to allow the medication to reach a level in your body where weight loss is triggered while at the same time keeping side effects to a minimum. If you are losing weight on a lower dose, your doctor may keep you there as long as it is working for you.
How Do You Take Contrave Correctly?
Follow the directions provided to you by your doctor, which usually means to swallow the tablets whole and not to crush, chew, or split up the tablet. It can help some patients to take it with a small amount of food, but it is best to avoid eating greasy meals or high-fat foods with Contrave because it can make side effects worse.
Can I Change My Contrave Dose if I Have Side Effects?
No. You should not change your dose or stop taking Contrave on your own. Always keep your doctor in the loop, and they will determine whether your dose should be adjusted or if you would do better on another type of medication.
