If you are about to start Contrave for weight loss, you may have questions about what you can expect. You may wonder, “Are Contrave side effects common?” Yes. Many people have Contrave side effects, which are very common when your body is getting used to the medication.
Contrave is a medication that combines naltrexone and bupropion and works by influencing parts of your brain that help control hunger and food cravings.
Most people experience mild symptoms as their body adjusts, and their side effects gradually get better, but there are some side effects that are more serious and should be reported to your doctor.
What Are The Most Common Contrave Side Effects?
Like many medications, Contrave can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience side effects. Contrave side effects that are most common include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Trouble sleeping
- Diarrhea
- Increased sweating
- Anxiety
- Fatique
Everyone’s DNA and health condition are different, and so the side effects they experience from Contrave will be unique to them. You may experience some of these symptoms, many of them, or none at all. How many symptoms you have or their severity will depend on your genetic makeup, your dose, and how quickly your body adjusts to the medicine.
What Happens During Your First Week on Contrave?
Many people search the internet to find out about “Contrave side effects first week” and wonder if it is normal to feel the worst when you first start using the medication. Yes. The first week is when your body is getting used to the medication, and symptoms like nausea, headaches, dry mouth, and constipation tend to be worse during this time. Some people also say they have trouble falling asleep or feel jittery because of the bupropion in the Contrave.
Most of the Contrave side effects tend to happen when you first start using it, so your doctor will follow a titration schedule, which starts you off at a very low dose and then increases the strength gradually over many weeks. During this first week make sure to report unusual side effects to your doctor so they can make adjustments in your treatment plan if needed.
It is a good idea to keep a log of the side effects you experience, how severe they are, and when they occur. Some side effects you should report to your doctor include:
- Chronic and severe nausea that prevents you from eating and keeping food and liquids down.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Shifts in your mood or unexplained feelings of anxiety.
- Trouble sleeping that is affecting your normal performance.
- Symptoms that are getting worse instead of easing up.
Do Side Effects of Contrave Go Away?
Yes. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects of Contrave normally become less noticeable for most people. The most commonly reported side effect from Contrave is nausea, and most people say it gradually gets better as their treatment continues.
Contrave side effects go away for many patients, but how long it takes can be different for everyone. Some people continue to have symptoms, but they just become milder, and others may need their dose adjusted or a different type of weight loss intervention if they are unable to tolerate the side effects.
Your doctor may suggest changes to your medication if your side effects:
- Continue through several weeks without improving at all.
- Become chronic or severe.
- Interfere with your daily activities.
- Make it difficult for you to continue taking the medication.
When to Call Your Doctor About Contrave Side Effects
Some side effects of Contrave are normal and even expected, but there are also rare but serious side effects that have been reported. You should seek medical help immediately if you have any of these symptoms:
- Seizures
- Chest pain
- A severe allergic reaction.
- Confusion
- Behavior that is very out of character for you.
- Very elevated blood pressure
- Dehydration from continued vomiting.
- Thoughts of self harm. (Listed on the boxed warning label)
How A Medical Weight Loss Expert Can Help
Using weight loss medication can help you lose a significant amount of weight, but any time you start a prescription medication, there are risks of experiencing side effects. This is especially true of those designed to treat obesity.
Dr. Okeefe Simmons with Simmons MD Weight and Healthcare Solutions is a triple board-certified gastroenterologist and weight management expert. He and his team of qualified professionals can help craft a weight loss program that will be safe and effective for your needs and circumstances. They can help when choosing and starting a new medication by:
- Determining which medication is the best fit for you.
- Monitoring and helping to manage any side effects you might have.
- Following your progress with check-in visits to ensure the medication is working as it should.
- Making dose or other adjustments as needed.
Set up your consultation today to learn more about Contrave and whether it or another weight loss medication would be a good solution for you.
FAQs
What Is the Most Common Contrave Side Effect?
Nausea is one of the most reported side effects that people experience when they first start the medication and right after they increase their dose.
How Long Do Contrave Side Effects Normally Last?
Many people say their side effects become more mild within a few weeks, but everyone’s timeline will be different. Some people may always experience some side effects for as long as they take Contrave.
Should I Stop Taking Contrave if I Have Side Effects?
No. Unless your side effects are a medical emergency, you should talk with your doctor first before stopping your medication. Your doctor may be able to help you manage the side effects so you can still have the benefits the medication is providing.
Does Taking Contrave with Food Help Side Effects?
It might. Some patients say that eating a light meal and watching the foods they eat helps cut down the feelings of nausea. Meals that are high in fat tend to exacerbate certain side effects like nausea or diarrhea.
