- Weight Loss
Contrave
Contrave for weight loss prescription available online
If you are suffering from excess weight or obesity, Contrave (naltrexone/ bupropion) can help. Get a new prescription or refill of Contrave from a board-certified doctor online.
Book an appointment
Medication services available for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
Insurance accepted, but not required
*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and our prescription discount card.
Most major insurance plans accepted
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Paying without insurance? New patient visits are $129, and follow-ups are only $99 for members.
Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected] or call (888) 564-4454 to talk to a PlushCare specialist.
3 simple steps to request your Contrave prescription today
Step 1
Book a Contrave prescription request appointment.
You can book a same-day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your Contrave prescription.
You can visit a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up your Contrave prescription.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Contrave prescription pricing details
How pricing works
To get a new or refill on your Contrave prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
Paying with insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
Copay
For all visits
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $99
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $99 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Contrave (naltrexone/ bupropion) prescription FAQs
How can I get a Contrave prescription online?
Contrave is only available by prescription, so you will need to see a board-certified doctor for a prescription. To begin, book a virtual appointment with one of our top rated board-certified doctors. Attend the visit with one of our clinicians from the comfort of your phone or computer. After a qualifying evaluation, they will send a prescription to your local pharmacy for pickup.
What is in Contrave?
Contrave is a combination of naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, and bupropion, an antidepressant also used for smoking cessation.
In conjunction, these drugs address cravings and hunger cues in the brain. This can help individuals reduce their food intake and feel more full after meals.How much does Contrave cost?
According to the manufacturer of Contrave, Currax Pharmaceuticals, the cost of 30 day supply of Contrave through their CurAccess program is $90. It can be even lower with insurance coverage. Our prescription discount card helps members save up to 80% on prescriptions.
How long does it take for Contrave to kick in?
It usually takes a few weeks for Contrave to kick in. You may see the medication's full effect once you have taken it for several months, together with diet and exercise.
How do you take Contrave for best results?
Following your healthcare provider's directions, patients typically begin with pills in the morning during the first week and slowly increase their dosage to 2 pills twice a day by week 4.
Who should not take Contrave?
Contrave is not recommended for people that
Are taking bupropion-containing medicines such as Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, or Zyban
Have or have had an eating disorder
Have developed a physical dependence on opioid pain medicines or are in opioid withdrawal
Drink high amounts of alcohol
Are on medications such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Are allergic to naltrexone, bupropion, or any of the ingredients in Contrave
Have uncontrolled hypertension
Have or have had seizures
When should you not take Contrave?
You should not take Contrave if you have an eating disorder, kidney disease, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also avoid taking Contrave if taking other medications containing bupropion.
What happens if I miss a dose of Contrave?
If you miss a dose of Contrave, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Contrave at the same time.
What happens if I take too much Contrave?
Taking too much Contrave can increase the risk of side effects, including seizures. If you think you have taken too much Contrave, call healthcare professionals or Poison Control Center immediately.
About Contrave (naltrexone/ bupropion)
Contrave is a prescription-only, FDA-approved weight loss pill that may help obese adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater lose weight and keep it off. The medication combines two older drugs: naltrexone (an opioid antagonist used to treat alcohol and drug dependence) and bupropion (an antidepressant also used as an adjunct for smoking cessation).
Together, these drugs target both hunger cues and cravings in the brain, helping people to eat less and feel more satisfied after eating. Contrave is NOT approved to treat depression or other mental illnesses.
Contrave is available only by prescription.
Contrave may be prescribed as a tablet. It’s always important to follow the specific instructions on your prescription, as they can vary based on the formulation and dosage you are prescribed.
Contrave uses
There is one FDA-approved use for Contrave, but it may also be used off-label to treat other conditions. Your online clinician may prescribe it for the following reasons. It’s also possible that your healthcare provider may prescribe it for different reasons not listed here. Ask your online doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about why a medication is prescribed.
Weight loss
Together with diet and exercise, Contrave is FDA-approved for use as a weight loss medication for :
Adults with body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater
Adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater with at least one weight-related comorbidity (e.g. type 2 diabetes mellitus)
Although there are other applications for these medications, the Contrave is NOT approved to treat:Weight-related medical conditions, like high blood pressure or diabetes
Depression or other mental illnesses
Alcohol or opioid dependency
People who need help to quit smoking
Contrave side effects
The side effects associated with taking Contrave are typically mild. Contrave has some common side effects. Common possible side effects may include:
Vomiting
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Trouble sleeping
More serious side effects can include:Increased risk of suicidal thoughts in some children, teenagers, and young adults
Seizures
Increase in blood pressure and heart rate
Chest pain
Allergic reactions, including rashes or anaphylaxis
Angle-closure glaucoma
Risk of opioid overdose
Sudden opioid withdrawal
Liver damage or hepatitis
Increased risk of low blood sugar levels in patients taking type 2 diabetic medication
You should call your doctor if you notice any of these adverse effects or unusual behavior changes.
The FDA has not approved the use of Contrave in young children under the age of 18.
How to take Contrave (naltrexone/ bupropion)
Your pharmacist will provide you with instructions on how to take your Contrave prescription.
Be sure to read your prescription label and follow the instructions. Call your doctor or pharmacy if you have any questions.
According to FDA, Contrave can come in an extended-release tablet that contains 8 mg naltrexone and 90 mg bupropion, so be sure to follow the specific instructions on your prescription. According to the FDA, Contrave should be taken orally in the morning and the evening. Below is the recommended dosing schedule:
Week 1: One tablet in the morning
Week 2: One tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening
Week 3: Two tablets in the morning and one tablet in the evening
Week 4 and onward: Two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening
Other specific instructions may include:
Do not cut, chew, or crush the tablets.
Daily doses should not exceed 32 mg/360 mg (two tablets twice daily).
Contrave can be taken with meals but not high-fat meals.
It is essential to take Contrave precisely as your healthcare professional prescribes, as higher or more frequent doses can increase the risk of side effects.
What to avoid while taking Contrave
Contrave has 700 drug interactions. Don’t change what you take without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. That includes other prescription drugs or supplements, as well as over-the-counter medications.
Here's a list of things you should avoid while taking Contrave:
Don't drink alcohol. It can increase the risk of seizures.
Don't take other medications that also contain bupropion. This includes Wellbutrin/Wellbutrin XL/Wellbutrin SR.
Don't take Contrave if you have an eating disorder.
Don't take Contrave if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It's unknown if the medication passes into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby.
Don't take Contrave if you have kidney problems.
Don't take Contrave if you are on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Don't take Contrave if you are on opioid pain medicines. Discontinue these opioid-containing medicines 7 - 10 days before taking Contrave to avoid opioid withdrawal symptoms. There is also the risk of opioid overdose.
Medication alternatives to Contrave (naltrexone/ bupropion)
In some cases, your clinician may prefer to put you on another treatment altogether. In that case, they may suggest a weight loss medication in another drug class. Here are some common doctor-recommended alternatives based on your health issue:
Chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults
There are a few weight loss medication alternatives to Contrave. These include:
This drug is used to treat diabetes primarily. The other use of this medicine is indicated to aid weight management in adults with excess weight or obesity.
This medication can be prescribed to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss in obese adults with high cholesterol or BP problems.
Plenity is an FDA-cleared weight management aid (non-medicinal). It is made from naturally derived building blocks such as cellulose and citric acid. Together with diet and exercise, Plenity can form an effective weight loss plan for adults.
Each of these medications works differently, so speak with one of our doctors to determine which is right.