What is CONTRAVE?

Weight-loss is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Learn how CONTRAVE can help you on your weight-loss journey.

  • CONTRAVE is an FDA-approved weight-loss medication for people who are overweight with at least one serious medical condition including diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. or those struggling with obesity.
  • It is designed to reduce hunger and control cravings,
    so you can lose weight and keep it off when combined with diet and exercise.
  • It is not a controlled substance, scheduled drug, or stimulant.
  • CONTRAVE is the #1 branded oral weight loss medication.**

**Based on the number of prescription fills for brand name oral weight-loss drugs in the IQVIA database, January 2024.

Actor Portrayal

Is CONTRAVE Right for Me?

CONTRAVE is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI)* of 30 kg/m2 or greater, or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. CONTRAVE is intended to be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Need help determining if CONTRAVE is right for you?

Check out our Personal Weight Loss Assessment.

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. BMI is a simple screening method to help doctors determine if a patient is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. This measurement can be a first indicator if a patient is at risk for any weight-related health problems.

How CONTRAVE works

CONTRAVE targets 2 areas of the brain that cause hunger and cravings†

Hunger

happens when your brain tells you that it needs nutrition and that any food will satisfy this need.

Cravings

happen when your brain wants specific foods, even though you may not feel hungry.

†Other areas of the brain may be involved. The exact neurochemical effects of CONTRAVE leading to weight loss are not fully understood.

The Science Behind CONTRAVE

There's A Scientific Reason You Are Struggling To Lose Weight & Keep it Off

Through science, we can better understand this challenge because it turns out your brain may be working against you by sending hunger signals or triggering cravings, even when you're not hungry.

Real Life Results

"CONTRAVE helped me maintain control over cravings and portions. I've been able to keep the weight off!"

Melody

Real story from a patient taking CONTRAVE at the time of their interview. Individual results may vary. CONTRAVE is intended to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

The Science Behind CONTRAVE

There's A Scientific Reason You Are Struggling To Lose Weight & Keep it Off

Through science, we can better understand this challenge because it turns out your brain may be working against you by sending hunger signals or triggering cravings, even when you're not hungry.

Our brains play a role in the struggle to lose weight:

The hunger center (hypothalamus) can increase hunger, telling you to eat again or eat more

The mesolimbic circuit or reward system can create cravings that seem uncontrollable even when you’re not hungry

CONTRAVE combines 2 medications that together reduce hunger and control cravings to help you lose weight and keep it off: bupropion HCl and naltrexone HCl.
Both medicines have well-established safety profiles and have been prescribed by doctors for other conditions for more than 30 years. However, the individual medicines in CONTRAVE are not approved for weight loss when used on their own, and CONTRAVE is not approved to treat depression or other mental illnesses, alcohol or opioid dependency, or to help people quit smoking.

CONTRAVE was studied for efficacy and safety in several clinical trials

The efficacy and safety of CONTRAVE were assessed in the 56-week CONTRAVE Obesity Research (COR) clinical studies.

3

56-week
studies

2,322

patients

Proven Long-Term
Weight Loss

MORE INFORMATION

COLLAPSE

CONTRAVE is a long-term approach that works when added to a diet and exercise to help you achieve sustainable results

Who Participated?

  • COR-I and COR-BMOD enrolled adults struggling with obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater) or who were overweight (BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater) with at least one weight-related medical condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
  • In COR-I, the average baseline weight before starting the study was about 220 pounds for patients in the CONTRAVE group and 219 pounds in the placebo group, and the average waist circumference was 43 inches for both groups.
  • In COR-BMOD, the average baseline weight before starting the study was about 221 pounds for patients in the CONTRAVE group and 224 pounds in the placebo group, and the average waist circumference was 43 inches for both groups.
  • COR-Diabetes enrolled patients with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater with type 2 diabetes who were not achieving a glycemic goal of HbA1c less than 7% either with oral antidiabetic agents or with diet and exercise alone. The average baseline weight before starting the study was about 229 pounds for patients in the CONTRAVE group and 232 pounds in the placebo group, and the average waist circumference was 45 inches for both groups.

What Did They Do?

Some participants received CONTRAVE, and others were randomly selected to receive a placebo.

  • COR-I: 538 patients received CONTRAVE and 536 patients received a placebo.
  • COR-BMOD: 565 patients received CONTRAVE and 196 patients received a placebo.
  • COR-Diabetes: 321 patients received CONTRAVE and 166 patients received a placebo
  • All patients participated in lifestyle modification programs that included a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity. COR-BMOD also included an intensive behavioral modification program consisting of 28 group counseling sessions over 56 weeks. In each of the COR studies, the co-primary endpoints used to determine if CONTRAVE was effective at Week 56 were the percent change from baseline body weight and the percentage of patients achieving at least a 5% reduction in body weight.

2-4x

more weight lost

Three different clinical studies showed how patients taking CONTRAVE, along with diet and exercise, lost 2-4x more weight than with diet and exercise alone.

Across 3 different clinical studies, patients struggling with obesity who took CONTRAVE, along with diet and exercise, lost 2-4 times more weight over 1 year than with diet and exercise alone.

What Happened?

Along with diet and exercise, patients taking CONTRAVE lost more weight after 56 weeks of treatment than patients taking placebo.

The CONTRAVE group lost an average of 5.4% of their baseline body weight (or 12 pounds) compared with the placebo group, which lost an average of 1.3 % of their body weight (or 3 pounds).

In addition, 42% of CONTRAVE patients lost at least 5% of their total body weight (compared to 17% of placebo patients), and 21% of CONTRAVE patients lost at least 10% of their total body weight (compared with 7% of placebo patients).

Finally, the average waist reduction for patients taking CONTRAVE was 2.4 inches, compared to 1 inch for those in the placebo group.

The CONTRAVE group lost an average of 8.1% of their baseline body weight (or 18 pounds) compared with the placebo group, which lost an average of 4.9% of their body weight (or 11 pounds).

In addition, 57% of CONTRAVE patients lost at least 5% of their total body weight (compared with 43% of placebo patients), and 35% of CONTRAVE patients lost at least 10% of their total body weight (compared to 21% of those in the placebo group).

Finally, the average waist reduction for patients taking CONTRAVE was 3.9 inches, compared to 2.7 inches for those in the placebo group.

The CONTRAVE group lost an average of 3.7% of their baseline body weight (or 8.5 pounds) compared with the placebo group, which lost an average of 1.7% on average (or 4 pounds).

In addition, 36% of CONTRAVE patients lost at least 5% of their total body weight (compared with 18% of placebo patients), and 15% of CONTRAVE patients lost at least 10% of their total body weight (compared to 5% of those in the placebo group).

Finally, the average waist reduction for patients taking CONTRAVE was 2 inches, compared to 1.1 inches for those in the placebo group.

When added to diet and exercise, CONTRAVE is a long-term approach to help you achieve sustainable results. Your results may vary depending on your weight, body mass index (BMI), diet, activity level, and other factors.

Success Stories

Meet People Who Lost Weight and Kept It Off With CONTRAVE

Janet A.

Age: 59

Occupation: Museum Curator

Why CONTRAVE?

“I’ve struggled with managing my weight my entire life. My reactive eating behavior led to decades of huge weight gain.”

Kalan S.

Age: 33

Occupation: Carpenter

Why CONTRAVE?

“When I was feeling stressed out, or just low, I found food to be extremely comforting. If I felt that someone was upset with me or treated me poorly, food became my comfort.”

Alisha

Age: 35

Occupation: Events Manager

Why CONTRAVE?

“I’ve tried multiple diets and weight-loss programs with no success– from the beginning, I could feel a difference by adding CONTRAVE.”

Tori S.

Age: 29

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom

Why CONTRAVE?

“Growing up, I had always been a heavier-set person. I am six feet tall so it’s in my family genetics to be larger.”

Previous Next

Janet A.

Age: 59

Occupation: Museum Curator

Why CONTRAVE?

“I’ve struggled with managing my weight my entire life. My reactive eating behavior led to decades of huge weight gain.”

Kalan S.

Age: 33

Occupation: Carpenter

Why CONTRAVE?

“When I was feeling stressed out, or just low, I found food to be extremely comforting. If I felt that someone was upset with me or treated me poorly, food became my comfort.”

Alisha

Age: 35

Occupation: Events Manager

Why CONTRAVE?

“I’ve tried multiple diets and weight-loss programs with no success– from the beginning, I could feel a difference by adding CONTRAVE.”

Tori S.

Age: 29

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom

Why CONTRAVE?

“Growing up, I had always been a heavier-set person. I am six feet tall so it’s in my family genetics to be larger.”

Ready To Start Your Journey With CONTRAVE

All you need is 1 new day to make a change, and today is the day you're going to make it happen. Here's what to do next:

Prepare for your next
doctor visit

Not sure how to start the
conversation? Use this tool to gather
key information for your doctor to help them see if CONTRAVE is right for you. Start by answering a few questions about yourself.

Complete a Personal Assessment

Connect with a doctor

Looking for a doctor to talk to about CONTRAVE? Here’s how to get in touch with one:

Talk to a doctor online Find a doctor near you