Contrave and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• hop...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 7, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Contrave since July 2015. I have lost approximately 57 pounds. This medication is very effective for my food issues. I have obsessed about food for a long time. It has removed that obsession. You do have to do work, the pill is not magic. I exercise, drink plenty of water, and log my food. I currently limit my calorie intake to 1400 per day. I have hit plateaus, but the funny thing is that my clothing sizes still went down, so I think it was my body adjusting. I did have some of the side effects initially. I had a dry mouth, was dizzy, had hot flashes, and had headaches. They all went away in the first two weeks. I have to tell you that the medication would be worth it if the side effects continued."

• CAP...
• April 26, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Contrave for almost a year (40 y.o. female). I started out at 240 and now I'm 190. Granted it would have been more, but after my husband passed away, I didn't really watch what I've been eating, and I haven't been exercising the last several months. When I first started taking it, I had headaches and nausea, but it didn't last long. What I love about it is that it makes you not obsess over food, and it does keep you in a more cheery mood. Really great med."

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking Contrave for a little over two months. I have lost 20 lbs. With a good diet and exercise, this medicine is golden! I usually only make it to the gym 2 - 3 times a week due to a busy schedule, but I still see great results. The scale down program that Contrave has, where they send you a free scale to weigh daily, really helps! They send you texts right after you weigh, telling you your progress or lack thereof. You can also log in online and see a graph of your progress, current weight, and goal weight. This keeps you on track and motivates me every day. I did have some side effects the first couple of weeks, headaches and nausea, but they went away. Very happy with this!"

• Wei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am on week 5 of taking Contrave, and as I have said in 2 previous [reviews], I will do my best to take you along on this journey. I am down 16 lbs as of today. The very first thing that has to happen before taking this medication is you must change your mindset. If you are unwilling to do this, I promise you everything else will be an epic failure. Allow yourself the chance to change, and when you stumble, just get back up. I have allowed myself the things I love, but just not in any measure of extreme. So instead of having 6 cookies, I may have 3. When I reached the stage of 2 and 2, I didn't like the side effects of nausea and headaches that lasted for hours, so rather than see this as a pitfall, I went back to 1 and 1, and I'm still getting the same results."

• wis...
• March 17, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My experience has been a good one. I am on week two, and I have lost 10 pounds. It has taken away all my cravings, and I don't eat in between meals anymore. I have not had any of the side effects they talk about, except for an ever-so-slight headache at times. I contributed that to caffeine withdrawal. I have also stuck to eating healthy and cut out alcohol. This has definitely been a good change for me."

• Lol...
• December 31, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Took for two months and couldn't take it a day more. I did lose seven pounds in those two months, but I don't know if it was from the medication or the vomiting I did every single day while on it. I didn't have much of an appetite, which was a plus, again, though I was sick every day. I couldn't even make it up to the full dose because it made me so ill. Vomiting, headaches, dry mouth, diarrhea, extreme mood swings, shakes, sleeplessness, and heart palpitations and pains. I stopped at two months, which was a year ago today, and I still am having long-term heart problems from this stuff. That's under my doctor's words, not mine. I do need help with weight loss, but have decided to eat better and exercise to my ability. No side effects from these!"

• Tes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This was positively the worst experience and the biggest waste of $239.99. I literally threw this money away, I can't sell the tablets, can't return them, I have 10 out of the box. This made me so sick. The first couple of days I was tearful, the next week I was just miserable and felt pissed off all the time. But I thought it would subside, and then I started to feel horrible in my own skin, with a little headache, also a little dizzy, it steadily got worse through the day. By lunchtime, I could barely function. By 2 pm, I was ready to go to the medical center but got someone to drive me home. I had to remove every item of clothing and jewelry off my body, I put the air conditioning on and slept for 3 hours. I fell asleep quickly, and when I woke, I was 70% better. I stopped the tablets immediately and swear I would rather be fat than go through that. The support line said I was just unlucky."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am now on week 3 and started two morning doses today. Week 1 I did not lose any weight. Last week I lost 2 lb. Even though the weight isn't falling off, I swear I feel like this is a miracle drug. I have been a huge sugar addict and food addict in general since I was in 5th grade (I'm 43 now). This is the first time ever I am not constantly thinking about food. Even when I've gone on diets and forced myself to not eat certain foods, I was still thinking about food and craving sweets. Those impulses have almost gone altogether. That's always been the hardest part for me. As far as side effects, the only one I've had is being very tired. I am prone to headaches and nausea, so went in expecting that, but I've been pleasantly surprised. I am 43, 5'2" and started at 215. My first goal is 44 pounds down by my 44th birthday, Feb. 11. Good luck to all of you in your journeys. :)"

• Fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking Contrave for 6 weeks. I have lost 18 pounds (186 to 168) and have been extremely pleased with the results! The initial side effects of nausea, constipation, and headaches have all gone away! If you are just starting, stick with it. Give it a week. I am taking the full dose now, and the sugar cravings are gone. I am using my Fitbit to log my intake and set up challenges with friends to encourage exercise. I hope to lose 20 more pounds using this medication. I have tried phentermine and had a terrible time with sleep. I have not found Contrave to affect my sleep. It relaxes me enough, and the exercise has helped. I have dry mouth, but I can live with that!"

• Wen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was prescribed Contrave to help with binge eating disorder. First few days, dry mouth, weird taste, and headache. It is all worth it, I don't obsess over food, I haven't binged at all since starting. I've gone from at least 9x a week binges to none. I am making better choices, exercising, and learning healthy habits. The weight loss is just an added bonus at this point - I finally feel sane, my brain is quiet!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have lost 40 pounds in 6 months using a combination of Contrave, walking 2 miles 5 days a week, and increasing water intake. Contrave gave me the power to better control my food choices and the amount I was consuming. I have had almost no side effects (slight headaches, though not abnormal for me, and mild constipation). I would recommend it."

• Rub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Contrave last Wednesday. I was 77 kg and today, Saturday, I am 75.5 kg, so I’ve lost 1.5 kg in 4 days. Wow, I have to lose some weight because I have a fatty liver. I do eat reasonably well, but menopause has not been too kind to me, putting on 10 kg in 6 months. I have a little nausea only taking the one tablet and a few headaches, but hopefully that will pass. I am walking on my treadmill about half an hour most days, which adds up to about a 2.5 km walk. My appetite is suppressed, and when I do eat, I can only eat very little. I am making myself eat to avoid dizziness and feeling sick. I am having a lot of fruit during the day and a small healthy main meal at night. I’m very happy but scared when I up the dose of the sick feeling I get. I’ve decided only to go as far as one tablet in the morning and one at night."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on Contrave for a little over two weeks now and am very pleased with the results. At the two-week mark, I'd lost 18 lbs. but haven't weighed in the past few days. Noticing my clothes are starting to fit differently. I haven't had any issues with most of the side effects others have listed. No nausea, headaches, mood swings, or vivid dreams. The only thing I've experienced is having trouble sleeping at night, which was never an issue before. Some nights I wake up every hour. Really hoping that this subsides as my body gets used to it. Cravings are almost nonexistent, and I also find myself feeling full with half the portions. Excited to get up to full dosage over the next few weeks to see the results. Hope this helps."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on Contrave for right at one month. The first week and a half, I experienced extreme dry mouth, but easily fixed by drinking lots of water. After the first week, I also started with constipation. Colace rectified the problem, but working with the doctor for a better solution. Around the third week, I started experiencing mild headaches. Mild as in I knew it was there, but it didn't interfere with my day. I'm feeling great! My appetite has decreased significantly, and the joy I get from eating (which is what caused the problem in the first place) has diminished. I have the energy to get up and move throughout the day. I've lost 10 pounds, most of which came off the last week. Hoping that means it will start coming off quickly."

• RRC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been losing about up to 1/2 lb. per day. My doctor and pharmacist said to drink way more water and no fat, I believe this is why I don't feel nauseous. One day I cheated and had a candy bar and felt nauseous after it. I chewed Ginger Trips chewables and the nausea went away. I have cut back on portions of food. I eat apples, mangos, carrots, pears, and peanut butter with banana on rye crackers for snacks. I haven't had any oils or high-fat meats or cheese, although I sprinkled some low-fat cheese on chili the other night. I eat a veggie with each meal and don't eat over 4 oz of meat. I drink a bottle of water every 2 hours. It keeps headaches away. I got one light headache, took a Tylenol, gone. I walk twice daily, 40 minutes each. This is working."

• Chr...
• January 9, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've taken Contrave because when I took the first pill, a few hours later I had the worst headache, but I had read and understood the side effects. I continued until day 4, and the headaches got worse. My hands were shaking, I had lost my appetite completely. Being that I work in pharmacy, both the pharmacist and technicians expressed their concerns from the moment I decided to fill my prescription. I just kept on getting this bad feeling during those 4 days I had taken Contrave. I later came to find out that Contrave controls some of your brain function that sends signals to your stomach so it thinks you have no appetite. But while it's doing that to your neuro functions, it can also cause you to have seizures. I hate this medication, never again."

• Fei...
• March 25, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was skeptical. Read some reviews, and they were so strong for or against. At first, I did feel side effects. The first 3 weeks, I thought there is no way I can take 4 a day. I listened to my body and waited an extra week to go up to full dose. The side effects of headache and jittery had gone away by this point. I'm 8 weeks in, and I'd say by week 5, I was feeling great! I'm down 20 lbs and less depressed. Food really doesn't matter."

• Sup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Today is my 3rd day on Contrave. The first two days, I did experience headaches and was lightheaded. I have small hives on my eyelids. No headaches today. My appetite has curbed tremendously, I usually eat all day, now not as much. Was 202 lbs when I started, will weigh on Day 7."

• reg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am about to be on week 2 of Contrave. I have cut out all caffeinated beverages and am sticking to a low-fat/low-cal diet, and I am down 6 pounds! The first day was complete torture due to the nausea, headache, and vertigo, but I am determined to not quit and be successful at this! I want to be able to feel as though I can do anything, go anywhere, and not have my weight dictate my path in life. I am 5 ft 9 and weighed 262, and again on day 7, I am at 257! Just waiting on my scale now! Good luck everyone and don't get discouraged!!"

• JoM...
• June 3, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Contrave since Jan. 15. The side effects can be horrible the first 2 weeks as your body adjusts to the meds. It does get better and it is so worth pushing through them. Bonine is awesome for the nausea, extra-strength Excedrin Migraine works wonders for the headaches, and Phillips products are the best cramp-free choice for constipation. I am down 35 pounds and 5 pounds away from my goal weight. Contrave has stopped me from binge eating and it gives me the strength to turn down junk food without feeling deprived. I know I am responsible for me and the choices I make, Contrave is just a tool to help me. Contrave doesn't curb my appetite but it gives me resolve to make better choices. I can't do it without Contrave!"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I try my best not to take Contrave at work. I get very dizzy and feel almost like I'm out of my body. Like now, I forgot to take it early this morning, so I took it later. I have 4 hours left of work, and after taking my medication, I feel like I can't walk 10 meters. I went on a walk to get fresh air, but Contrave makes you have a headache, out-of-body feeling, ears ringing, head feeling very heavy, and then I become very tired and feel almost not there."

• Ovr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I just started my third week and now up to 2 pills 2x a day. I'm 5'7 and weighed 205. I now weigh 195 with a weight loss of 10 lbs and feel great. I am amazed that my cravings are gone and reach for more healthy options. I do have the occasional headache, dry mouth, and constipation, but it is tolerable. I am motivated that this may finally be my key to substantial weight loss. I'm feeling optimistic. Hoping for another 10 in 3 weeks. Will check in."

• Bec...
• August 7, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Do your research, please. Side effects are not precautionary, they are severe. If you read other reviews, it’s clear that 70% have debilitating side effects. You won’t find a lot of journeys on YouTube or blogs because people discontinue use - that’s the first clue. Despite this, I gave it a go. Day 1 was all I could tolerate. I felt drunk, dizzy, and nauseated. Walking down the hall, I fell into the wall suddenly from a huge bout of dizziness. That was it for me. I don’t doubt you will lose weight, but I do doubt it’s good for you. People have reported constant nausea, hair loss, rapid heartbeats, ear ringing, dizziness, BP increases, headaches, side effects after months of use, and sudden bouts of anger/depression. Heart studies have not been fully done as well, which should be noted. It depends on how desperate you are to lose weight. All I have to say is research and calculate your own statistics. This medication is clearly harsh and messes with your body/mind. Good luck!"

• Gra...
• June 1, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Summary: this medication does work, but the side effects are absolutely brutal. There is nothing I want to do less than eat. Five hours after taking the medicine for the first time, I'm feeling extremely ill. I've gone from a healthy and productive individual to experiencing the worst lightheadedness of my life, along with nausea, headaches, dizziness, and stomach aches. This is the first and last day I'll be taking this medication. I can barely stand for more than a minute before everything gets fuzzy and I feel lightheaded. I am confident that if I were at work, where I have to stand, I would have passed out within the first 10 minutes of my shift. Right now, I feel fully incapacitated and confined to bed until I can get this medication out of my system. I'll update here how long it takes to get the medication out of my system for anyone in the same boat. I'm 5'5 and 180 lbs for reference."

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been taking Contrave for 18 days. I've lost 8 pounds, and I feel fantastic! The side effects were minimal: headache the first day, just a weird groggy feeling and a little anxiety for a couple of days. Small things to deal with for the positive effects. Not just weight loss, but physically feeling good. I don't snack, and I eat smaller portions. Things I used to look forward to eating don't even sound tempting. I'm excited to see what happens when I incorporate a little more exercise into my daily routine."