Contrave and Nausea: What Users Say

• mkk...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I am a 51-year-old female. My doctor has seen me yo-yo with weight and struggle at times with my type 2 diabetes. She seemed excited to offer me this prescription. I read some reviews and had some doubts but I trust her implicitly, so I started the process. Honestly, I wanted to quit within the first couple of months. Horrible nausea, terrible vomiting, and I hate vomiting. I persevered and am ecstatic with my results so far. I have been on this medication for 7 months and I have lost 57 lbs. I don't count calories, I listen to my body. I don't drink coffee anymore, and I used to drink a lot! I don't even like alcohol. Changed my tastes for foods. I don't crave anything. I know it may be rough the first few months, but I recommend sticking it out. I can't even remember the last time I was this weight and size. I'm so emotionally happy. I wish you all the best, what do you have to lose? Hopefully weight. Lol"

• Car...
• February 25, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I can't believe all of the negative reviews for this drug. I have been on Contrave for 4 weeks now. My appetite and cravings have been drastically reduced over the last two weeks in particular. So far, I have lost 10 lbs and I am absolutely thrilled! I still have 60 lbs to go but this is the first time in 10 years that I am very confident that I will get down to my goal weight. I had absolutely lost all hope and thought I would have to grow old as an obese person. I've tried every diet under the sun including Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Keto, Non-Carb. I even had a gastric bubble placed in my stomach to make me feel full but had to have it removed after one week due to severe cramps and nausea. We all know what we need to do to lose weight, but when you are addicted to food and crave snacks all day, I always failed after 2 weeks on any program because I was just so hungry!"

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "So one year ago today I started taking Contrave. I am a 65-year-old male, and when I started, I was 349 lbs. After many diets and weight loss fads with little to no success, I went to see my doctor to discuss bariatric surgery, which I wasn’t looking forward to but felt I didn’t have much choice. At first, I experienced a bit of nausea and lightheadedness, but it was very minor. Right away, I felt my appetite decreasing. I did watch what I ate but didn’t restrict any specific foods, just a whole lot less of it. It began to work immediately, and the weight started coming off pretty quickly. I am very excited to announce that after 1 year, I have dropped 75 lbs (my goal was 60 lbs) and feel wonderful. For me, Contrave was a 'wonder drug' and gave me the boost I needed. I am remaining on the pills for a bit longer, but I really feel I can monitor the quantity of food I consume. The only real side effect has been the money I have spent on new clothes - actually very happily."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 28, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Contrave for 8 months and have lost approximately 35 pounds and have another 30 pounds to get to my target weight. If you can get past the first few weeks, it really does work. You can immediately feel the reduction in food cravings and appetite. I used anti-nausea drugs to help me the first week and then I had no issues. You do have to follow a healthy diet, but for people who eat compulsively, it makes a big difference in being able to resist junk food and reduce your food intake. This ultimately allows your body to adjust to healthier food and shrink your stomach."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have just started my second round of Contrave. I used it about 3 years ago in conjunction with my regular weight lift routine and absolutely love the results! Over the course of about 10 months, I went from a size 16 dress to a size 10. I was able to fit in my old college T-shirts again, and ‘that special pair’ of jeans fit again. (You know... those jeans that fit just right in all the right places and make you feel like the hottest thing on earth.) In the beginning, there was some sleepiness and a little nausea, but speaking for myself, it was worth it. I dropped 86 pounds of fat, gained muscle, and started enjoying clothes shopping again. The reason I stopped taking it was because I had to have several surgeries following a car wreck, but now I’m back on my feet and ready to make up the progress I’d made."

• JJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "So, I wanted to wait until I placed a review anywhere about my experience with Contrave. I have been taking it for 3 months and am at full dose (2 tabs 2x a day - 5am and 2pm). The first 6 weeks were tough. Felt nauseous and shaky. And I am someone who relies on Wellbutrin for mental health, but I was 15 lbs overweight. I knocked off the first 20 lbs with diet and exercise, but menopause or age (53) just wouldn’t let me shed the last 15. So, I spoke to my GP and we decided to try this. This medicine worked for me! I now think of food as nutrition, not entertainment or a crutch when I am bored. Anyway, I have 6 more lbs to go and then will taper off and go back to Wellbutrin straight. If you are serious about taking back your health with diet and exercise and can’t drop the last bit, I would say give it a try."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My experience with Contrave has been amazing! I have lost 24 lbs in 2 and a half months, and I have almost completely stopped binge eating. I think I have had maybe one slight binge since I started taking this medicine. This medicine has changed my life quite literally. I don't even think about food the way I used to, I feel free from the obsession. The only negative is that it does cause constipation, but I just take stool softeners to help with that. I never experienced the nausea or sickness in the beginning, but I have heard that some have and then it goes away. I had to come and leave a review because I want other people to experience this freedom from food."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Contrave was prescribed specifically for weight loss, but I have also been a moderately heavy drinker for about 10 years (3-6 beers per night, more on weekends). I was already on Bupropion, so the doctor prescribed Naltrexone in addition. One month in, I've lost 5 lbs, stopped snacking at night, and have almost completely lost all interest in drinking. I was sleeping more than usual at first. Mild nausea here and there. Excited to see where I'm at after a few more months of this."

• Cas...
• June 18, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am 5'3 at 167 lbs. I started on June 2, 2021. I kept stepping on the scale. Now on my 2nd week taking 2 pills a day. Just stepped on the scale and I am 2 lbs down. I have been feeling full on just eating smaller portions or snacks. Still want a few cookies though, lol. Now I haven’t changed my diet either, I’ve slowed down on junk but no major changes. I will finish a full 6 weeks, consistency is key, right? Hopefully I can drop another 18 lbs. Update 6/17/21. I am now on 3 pills and my first day was super harsh. I did great in the morning but the evening pill came with side effects. I felt super weak, hot, jittery, and I threw up. I have had chest pains a few times, which didn’t last long. This evening wasn’t as bad, just a little nausea. Anyways, I am now 161 lbs at the beginning of the 3rd week, 6 lbs lost. I started working out and am on my 3rd week as of yesterday. At-home workouts, nothing major. Will update again."

• OBd...
• February 4, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "First of all, I am an MD and very familiar with the meds in Contrave. I was actually prescribing it before I decided to try it myself. I have been 20-30 lbs overweight for as long as I can remember (at least 20 years). I had developed mild type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and hypertension. I was taking a handful of pills every day at age 45. So I started the medication 24 days ago. My weight was 184. On some of the early days, I had some nausea, but it always went away. I was irritable at times, and some days when I literally forgot to eat, I would get jittery and feel bad (but not hungry) because I'm sure my blood sugar was low. So my results so far: today I am 165.8. I am down 18 lbs in 24 days. BMI down 3 points. This is no gimmick!"

• Meg...
• January 14, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I cannot say enough positive about this medication. I started the end of March 2016, now 42 weeks in I am at 112 lbs down. I work closely with my physician with monitoring my weight and diet. I followed all the precautions with the medication. Eliminating fat from my diet completely. Working out, etc. I knew it would not be a quick fix and with this med you get what you put into it. No serious side effects in the beginning, some tiredness and nausea. But that is going to happen ANYTIME you start a new medication and your system gets used to it. I also quit smoking after 20 yrs day 1 on this medication. This med it not for people looking for a quick fix, if you do not have the determination and commitment it will not work for you."

• Jan...
• October 31, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Took Contrave and lost 30 pounds. Was nauseated at first but found that taking it with a non-drowsy over-the-counter motion-sick medication did the trick. I'm 5'9 and started at 180. Took 6 months to get down to 150. I would recommend it to anyone with sugar cravings."

• LDL...
• January 6, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am a 34-year-old mother of 3, and I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I've been on Contrave for 4 months and lost 29 lbs. I started at 194 (I'm 5'7) and down to 165. This is nothing short of a miracle for me. It works completely differently than typical diet pills. It does not make me jittery or give me a rapid heart rate. It somehow allows me to say no to, or greatly limit my intake of, the foods I love. In general, my appetite is decreased by at least 70%, and sweets (my kryptonite) are not something I have a compulsive need for anymore. It gives me slight headaches and nausea if I drink alcohol. I've heard it makes some very sick, but I haven't experienced this. I am SO glad I took a chance on it. Life changing for me."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Just started Contrave today and holy moly, I am very sick to my stomach. Like just laying here not wanting to move so I don't vomit. I'm tired, like extremely tired. I'll take another one when I wake up in the morning, hopefully this subsides because I'm 42 and have gained 30 pounds since November and I'm miserable, and have a terrible dislike for myself so I need this to work for me. I'm gonna power through hopefully! I'll update again to let you know if it gets better."

• Kar...
• December 12, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Contrave in October of 2015. I followed a 1200-1500 calorie diet and walked for activity. I lost 60 pounds by July of 2016. I was taken off the medicine slowly and have since maintained the weight loss. I did suffer through some illness in the beginning, but I used Bonine for the nausea. After two to three weeks, I felt fine. Contrave was a success for me!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Well, I started taking Contrave on October 16th, 2018, with a goal of losing 60 pounds in one year. I am very pleased to announce I have lost the 60 lbs in 26 weeks. A few minor side effects early in the process (a bit light-headed, some nausea) but nothing now. I have been heavy most of my adult life (started this at 348 lbs) and have tried every diet out there with no success. I was considering bariatric surgery but my doctor suggested I try Contrave first. Best decision I ever made. I feel great now, much more energy and physical capabilities to move more. In my opinion, this is a wonder drug and would suggest you at least give it a try."

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking Contrave since October 24 because I had 16 lbs to lose for the past year and couldn’t get the weight off because of cravings for everything and anything. When I started, I expected it to miraculously make me not hungry and lose weight right away like I read in some of the reviews. I stuck with it and took it as prescribed, still, very little was coming off. I did put in a little more exercising and drank more water, but still only losing 0.6 or 0.8 lbs a week. I stubbornly would not give in and continued, then it happened, I didn’t crave junk food anymore and I ate only until I was satisfied, not stuffed like I used to do. Then I started to lose a pound a week. This might not sound like much from reading the other reviews, but it was amazing to me because my cravings were gone, plus, I can’t stand eating anything sweet. It made me nauseous, so for me, that was wonderful. Once I started taking 4 pills, the weight has been coming off. Lost 13 lbs, so grateful."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Contrave for about 6 weeks, and I have lost 17 lbs. I'm just starting to feel nauseated during the day and during workouts. I'll continue for another week and see what happens. I think I'm going to go back to 2 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon."

• One...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’m 45 and either just don’t have the metabolism anymore or my hormonal changes are hindering weight loss. I exercise, diet, fast, and still my weight steadily creeps up or remains at a standstill each month. I’ve been on Contrave for just over a month now. I took it exactly as prescribed, and I’m now on two pills morning and night. The first couple of weeks I didn’t really have many side effects, initially, the dry mouth was a nuisance but tolerable. Once I reached the full dose, I would say the nausea is worse. Initially, it was random, but now it’s almost all day. I’m not vomiting and can eat, but I just feel sick throughout the day. Keeping busy and working helps deter the awareness of it, but it’s there. Happily, I have lost nearly 15 pounds. It does reduce cravings and generally feeling hungry, but right now the nausea is enough to make me not eat! I’ll stick with it for now…"

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Contrave is not a magic weight loss pill. It is a tool to help you lose weight, but you have to commit to a different lifestyle, which includes some kind of exercise and dietary changes. When I first went on Contrave, I was a little nauseous and my appetite was greatly diminished. I lost a few pounds at first, but it wasn't until I started moving that the weight came off. I started by just walking a few blocks and over 4 months built up to full workouts at the gym. I also ate better and less. I have now been on Contrave 1 1/2 years and I have lost a little more than 50 pounds. I went from 211 lbs to 158 lbs, and I have kept it off. I worry that I might gain weight if I stop taking it, but with all of the changes I have made to live a healthy lifestyle, I shouldn't gain much. Nonetheless, I will stay on the medication as long as it is safe to do so. Contrave didn't make me lose weight. It gave me the jumpstart I needed to begin a weight loss regime."

• Emm...
• February 1, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been taking Contrave for a week now. I'm down 6 lbs. My appetite is curbed, and I only crave water. I have put together a workout plan I do every day to help. Yesterday, I didn't drink enough water during the day, and I was sick to my stomach. As long as you stay hydrated, it's great."

• Buc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have now been using it for almost 6 months and it definitely works! I lost 15 lbs in the first couple of months without dieting or exercising. I haven't felt motivated to go into diet mode, so I can lose more, but Contrave has helped tremendously with overeating. I am pretty much eating whatever I want, but I feel full very quickly. I have not put any weight back on, and it's likely because I finally have portion control. Here is my advice to any newbies beginning this med based on my experience: The first few days I felt incredibly nauseous. Don't try to eat your normal diet and typical portion sizes. Doing that will probably make you feel very sick! Eat very light meals and very small portions. Although you're supposed to increase the dose until eventually you're taking 4 pills a day, I never took that many. I've found that if I take my first dose with a morning snack and a second dose late in the afternoon, that pretty much keeps my appetite at bay all day."

• SMT...
• September 11, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Contrave twice. First time was April 2016. I had a lot going on in my life at that time with deaths and job losses, so had some horrible effects, which I thought was from the drug so I stopped. The next March I met with my endocrinologist again, who put me on the drug. I told him what happened, and he said it wasn't the Contrave and encouraged me to start again. So in March 2017, I started. I weighed 258 lbs. I won't lie, the first week was rough. Nausea, feeling out of sorts, but after reading reviews on this site I took others' advice. I started taking Dramamine with the pills. Also took my time with the pill increase. I took 1 pill for a month, then added on 2 pills for a month, then 3. I weaned off the Dramamine and am feeling fine. I met with my endocrinologist in June, down 31 lbs. He was ecstatic! It was the best Dr. visit of my life. He said to keep doing what I have been. As of today - Sept 11, 2017, I have been on the drug 6 months, I am down 40 lbs. I still only take 3 pills a day as that seems to be working. If I hit a plateau I will add the 4th. I want to encourage you - the first week is tough - but hang in there. It gets better!"

• Fut...
• February 1, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I don't know if I would have made it through the side effects if I didn't have a closer friend starting Contrave at the same time. Headache, dizziness, nausea, sleepy but they have all almost gone away. If you can make it through the first 1-2 weeks it gets better. The 20lbs I've lost makes it worthwhile."

• A I...
• January 4, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have PCOS and hypothyroidism, so losing weight is difficult for me. My doctor prescribed Contrave 3 months ago. At first, the side effects were very difficult. I was nauseated, and I felt really dizzy. At first, I didn't lose that much weight with it either; however, after about 2 weeks, I started losing weight and am currently down 25 pounds. I was very lucky as my prescription drug insurance changed at the beginning of this year, and the new plan covers it with only a copay of $80 for a 3-month supply. I am thrilled with that. I have had constipation, but nothing that I cannot handle. I would suggest this drug if you have metabolic diseases. For me, the cravings disappeared, but I feel my body is burning more calories in the process."