Contrave and Vomiting: 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"

• 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."

• Res...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Been on Contrave since Nov of 2018. Beginning weight 323 lb and I’m 5’8. I’m down 40 lbs now. Had a couple ups and downs because I am not as committed with exercise as I should be. Definitely curbs cravings and can only eat small portions. The one side effect I struggle with is gagging. I can be enjoying my meal and all of a sudden my body tells my brain that I’m done. It’s almost a feeling of disgust with my food that makes me gag and many times have to spit food out in a napkin. Even if it’s my most favorite thing to eat in the world... it’s so weird!!! Mild diarrhea for me as well, but I also have a very sensitive digestive system. Overall I think this medication has done wonders to improve my life. Weight, confidence, depression... many positive perks and recommend for anyone with weight struggles to give it a go. Insurance didn’t cover the cost but you can get a coupon from the Contrave website to help with saving some money."

• 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!"

• TLM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "If you care anything about your health and well-being, I do not recommend this medication. I experienced stomach pain ten times worse than labor pains and 100% worse than pain related to a punch to the stomach. I had projectile vomiting to the point that I started vomiting bile, I was hospitalized with extremely elevated WBCs. It's been five days since my first/last dose, and I am still unable to eat more than 1/2 cup of yogurt and/or applesauce at a time. I am taking four new medications and was diagnosed with new-onset enteritis. The symptoms started within 30 minutes of taking my one and only dose. Please do not take this medication."

• luu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "The worst side effects I ever experienced. Since the first pill, I had dizziness, nausea, I vomited several times, I can't eat anything because I feel so sick. I can't believe a doctor prescribed this to me. I want this to work, but I have literally spent 5 days in bed because I can't do anything. This thing is poison. Today is my last day taking this."

• VFr...
• September 16, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started in March 2017 at 195 lbs. Side effects were rough for the first 4 months... nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain right after eating. So, I kept Pepto in my purse to keep me going. It is Sept 14, 2017, and I have zero side effects. I've lost 40 lbs. I went from a size 16 to an 8. I have 20 lbs to go! I plan to stay on this as a maintenance drug. I absolutely love it, and pushing through the side effects was worth it."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "After one hour of taking Contrave, I felt nauseated and then vomited a few times; no gravel, ginger, or Pepto-Bismol helped. I had to take Zofran (the strongest antinausea meds) to stop vomiting. I had dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling drunk (very drunk), and sleepy, so I went to bed at about 7 PM instead of 11 PM like usual. The same happened for the rest of the week. When I increased the dose to twice a day, morning and evening, I started having hallucinations at night; (shoot, it scared me out). I also started having headaches and intense cravings for alcohol (I drink two times a year, at Christmas and my birthday, which is in summer), carbs, sweets, and other junk food. So I gained 6 pounds in two weeks. I stopped taking these pills about 4 days ago and still have side effects. I am now dealing with weird side effects: I have to overeat to stop nausea without a pill after I stopped taking Contrave. OMG, not even sure how long it takes to get Contrave out of my system to feel better."

• Bur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Contrave has been a godsend for me! My starting weight was 235 lb on 9/4/18. It is 12/9/18, and I have lost 28 lbs! I have experienced ZERO side effects. In addition to using Contrave, I have been exercising 3-4 times per week, eating an Atkins bar once a day as a meal replacement, and eating smaller meals in general. I did roll the dice last night and had my first glass of wine (okay, 2 glasses). I love wine and have stopped since taking Contrave. I awoke at midnight feeling nauseated and vomited several times. Needless to say, no more wine while on Contrave. I am so happy with the results and the lifestyle changes I have made."

• Mar...
• October 22, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am a 34-year-old female, 183 lbs and a BMI of 28. I wonder if my doc should have even prescribed this to me... I used this drug for 3 days and had a horrible experience. My side effects were stomach cramping, severe headache, and violent vomiting. The brain fog many speak of turned into severe headaches and nausea turned into violent bouts of vomiting. To the point that I thought I would have to be admitted to the hospital. Also, I was unaware this contains an opiate blocker, naltrexone, and the ingredient bupropion, used to treat depression, the neurological effects were also quite concerning. I had spasms in my muscles and joints, like small surges of electric shock. I had a really scary experience and do not recommend this to anyone unless they have done thorough research on how the ingredients can affect them. I have been off of this drug for 2 days and still feel unwell."

• I...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I knew to expect side effects and mentally prepared myself to push through as best I could. But as the constant heaviness in my head, the whole-body dizziness, loss of coordination, blurred vision, constant nausea, and fear of suddenly projectile vomiting at my work desk became harder to cope with, I gave myself permission to quit. As much as I want this medication to work for me, I cannot imagine putting myself through 2 more weeks of titrating my dose up to 4 pills a day, only to then find that my body never adjusted to the dosing and I felt sick nearly every moment of the day for a month only to have to titrate back down over the course of another month. I got up to 2 pills and just couldn't take any more of the unwavering side effects."

• Kai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have to say that Contrave works. I have been on this medication since the beginning of December. I didn't have any of the side effects in the beginning. I have lost approximately 20 lbs at this point. I have no more cravings for coffee or sweets. I no longer like the taste of wine, which I recently discovered. I try to take the dosages 12 hours apart and have learned not to take it on an empty stomach. Within the past 2 weeks, I have had bouts of nausea and vomiting. I am fine after that, but absolutely think it has something to do with my stomach not tolerating acidic foods, unusual for me. I have learned to have a different relationship with food. I now eat to live instead of living to eat."

• Pol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "OMG. Please read the side effects and think long and hard about starting this drug. It cost me $240, and after 8 days, I have stopped taking them. The nausea was debilitating, and then the vomiting started. Not worth it. I could not go another day feeling like garbage while trying to function in my family unit. Has made me rethink my whole approach to my weight loss journey."

• Fat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am young and considered obese. I am a healthy individual, though, and just wanted to shed a few pounds. This pill is what my doctor prescribed. I read through all of the side effects and decided to give it a go. I lost 8 lbs in two weeks, but I don't think that was from the pills. I stopped taking them after the first two days. I was so nauseous that I couldn't stand without falling and vomiting, and my headaches are so bad that it affects my vision. It is unbearable. I may be fat, but now I am happily so if it means never taking these pills again. They literally steal all of your energy and make you miserable."

• cac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "The 1st time I tried Contrave, one pill made me so sick to my stomach with vomiting and weird neuro side effects for 2 days. I tried again a couple of months later starting out with 1/4 tablet twice a day and worked up to 1 1/2 tablets twice a day. I have learned to take the meds in the middle of eating a meal and NOT to take near any coffee. I lost 8 lbs without changing my diet in a short time. I did notice my craving for sweets was nil. My dad passed away, and I have gotten off Contrave but plan to start out 1 twice a day again and build up to the highest dosage I can tolerate. My cousin has been on the full dose for over 1 year and is STILL continuing to lose."

• DO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Unless you are extremely obese (>350 pounds) and have no other options, avoid this medication at all costs. Side effects for me were severe nausea, vomiting constantly, heart palpitations (which have not gone away even after stopping the medicine), chills, terrible body aches, delusions, fatigue, insomnia, bizarre dreams, and apathy. Even after stopping the medicine, I can still feel aftereffects. This drug needs to be investigated for safety because someone I know also had close to the same side effects as me. I did lose 2 pounds the first week, but I believe it was because I had no desire to eat and the constant vomiting. It's also very expensive."

• Hjd...
• January 6, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "If I could give this medication a 0, I would. After lots of research and talking with my doctor, I looked forward to trying this medication as I have struggled to lose weight after having my second child. I took the first dose at 8:30 a.m. By 9 a.m. I felt extremely nauseous and dizzy. I called my doctor and she recommended that I take some anti-nausea meds I had. They did nothing to quell the sea of vomit that ultimately came pouring out of me. I vomited all morning into the afternoon. Now, I've been very ill with food poisoning, stomach flu, etc., but this was a new type of evil as the nausea didn't subside even the tiniest bit, as it does with food poisoning, etc., after vomiting. There was no relief. I strongly recommend not taking this."

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

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was able to lose 50 lbs through calorie restriction and exercising, but I plateaued. Finally, I started Contrave, and now I’ve been on it for almost a year. Day 1 was incredible. I wasn’t craving food every minute of the day, kept thinking is this how NORMAL people feel? Day 2 my appetite came back, but it was manageable. I lost 40 lbs in 8 months, but for the past 3 months, I keep losing and gaining the same 2-3 lbs. Also, the pills make me gag every time I take them. That has been the worst problem, but from the beginning, I’ve also experienced hot flashes several times a day and at night, and also constant constipation (have to take a stool softener since extra fiber alone doesn’t work). I walk on the treadmill and ride a stationary bike every night about 2-2.5 hrs, but then I’m super hungry. I wish Contrave extended till bedtime and didn’t make me gag."

• Con...
• May 3, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm on the third week of taking it. My doctor said it wouldn't really work until the fourth week, but for me, it has already greatly reduced the compulsion to eat. I'm eating less often and way smaller amounts. Had the same experience mentioned by the previous poster - vomited after eating a fatty food (fried taquitos). Only other side effect I have had is a lot more dreams while sleeping."

• Doe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on this medicine since October 22, today is November 15. My appetite feels more controlled throughout the day, but I am only down two pounds. I have experienced serious nausea, vomiting, and lightheaded episodes. All of the reading I have done, several people say stick with it and it will subside. I am going to stay with it as long as I can and hope that the side effects decrease, or at best go away completely. Because I typically feel this way every day, I have very little energy and do not want to work out. I have tried drinking tons of water (which is helpful anyway), protein snacks, carbs snacks (crackers or toast) in an effort to stop the nausea. Unfortunately, nothing seems to help but time and waiting it out."

• LJN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "First Day - Contrave - I have been on Phen/Fen, Weight Watchers 12 times, Jenny Craig, fitness plans, Nutrisystem... I was always fit but never seemed to control my weight after almost 40 years of trying. I have been hypertensive since my 20s and on medications like Crestor, Singulair, furosemide, Victoza, and Advair, all of which prevent weight loss. Well, after day one of Contrave, I lost 2.5 lbs, makes me a little nervous, can feel it working but no side effects like vomiting or seizures. Making sure to eat with the dose and drink lots of water. I did notice less cravings for alcohol, I always have my after-work cocktail, which I did not want. Concerned about side effects but keeping it up until I experience a non-tolerable reaction."

• RN ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Was okay when I was titrating the meds up for the first 4 weeks, but then had debilitating nausea. I couldn't drive because it caused motion sickness so bad, it would have not been safe for me to be driving from the constant dry heaves and dizziness. I tried for another 4 weeks, but got to a point I couldn't even work or be functional at home. The day I stopped, the nausea quieted down quite a bit, and by the second day, 90 percent better. I felt like I was going to die while on it."

• Bub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Contrave for 5 weeks now. When I first started taking one pill in the AM and one PM, everything was good. No weight loss, though. So I started taking two twice a day, like my doctor recommended. I have lost 18 pounds, but I have paid the price. I am always nauseated and usually throw up in the afternoons. My sleep has suffered, and I have very weird dreams. I don't want to quit because I love losing the pounds. I don't know how long I can deal with being constantly sick. I also have high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and high triglycerides. I feel if I lose enough weight, some of the other ailments will go away. I have tried taking Bonnie and Dramamine with my Contrave to help with the nausea, not working very well. Any suggestions?"

• LJa...
• August 7, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Contrave for 20 weeks and lost 40 lb. The first month was hard. I had nausea and occasional vomiting. I had headaches, and some dizziness. After a month and starting the full dose, I began to notice a difference. The nausea became less, along with the headaches and dizziness. This medication helps curb my appetite and cravings. I eat half as much because I feel fuller faster. I haven't exercised, and I don't follow a certain diet. I hate exercise, and I hate counting calories, LOL. I don't have sugar cravings. I also take Prozac for depression. The Contrave, along with the Prozac, has helped my depression tremendously. I feel great. I feel a motivation that I have not felt in a very long time. I love the fact that this is a medication that you can take longer than most other diet meds. If you can make it through the first month, the medication truly helps."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have tried Contrave twice with disastrous results! The first time I reacted to it, I was told that it wasn't possibly related to the medication, but I stopped anyway. The symptoms I had were severe nausea, vomiting, fever, aches, and the worst part, a rash that peeled all my skin off a bit at a time from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet! It was intensely painful! I had stopped taking Contrave, and my condition improved over 18 months for my skin healing. Then, about 6 months ago, I decided to try it again as the doctors said that they were sure it was safe, so I took one pill from a new prescription, and within an hour, all the symptoms had come back! I did not take any more after that, but had to deal with the illness and skin peeling off again for 4 months, and it was terrible! It was concluded after seeing specialists that the rash, etc., was a result of Contrave, and it was very nearly deadly for me as this time it also caused an arrhythmia. I do not recommend using this product to anyone!"