Contrave Information

What is Contrave?

Contrave is a new diet pill that is currently being developed in the United States by Orexigen Therapeutics. It is expected that a license will be sought for this weight management medication in 2010. Contrave combines two drugs that are already commonly prescribed: the antidepressant and smoking cessation drug, Bupropion and the anti-addiction medication Naltrexone.

The Contrave diet pill affects how the brain and central nervous system regulate appetite, food cravings, energy expenditure and, in turn, body weight.

How does Contrave work?

Orexigen says that their research indicates that the combination of Bupropion and Naltrexone, which treats addictive disorders such as alcohol abuse, works to improve the body’s ability to initiate weight loss and continue this process by blocking the body’s usual attempts to compensate for the weight loss during treatment.

Bupropion is believed to increase levels of activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, which reduces appetite and encourages the body to use more energy. Naltrexone, as well as ensuring the weight loss continues, also makes certain foods (especially sweet things) taste less palatable.

Previously, scientists had noted that patients taking Bupropion for depression also lost weight, but this effect tended to stop after a period taking the drug. Orexigen hypothesized that by combining Bupropion with Naltrexone, the weight loss would continue throughout the duration of the treatment. This appears to have been borne out in clinical trials.

How effective is Contrave?

In January 2009, disappointing results were released from late stage clinical trials where patients taking the weight loss drug lost only 4.2% more body weight than those taking the placebo. 66% of patients taking Contrave lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared with 42% taking the placebo. The FDA regulations state that for a weight loss medication to be considered, there must be at least a 5% difference achieved by the groups taking the medication or patients who lose 5% while taking the active ingredient must be at least double the number who lose the same percentage of weight on the placebo.

Orexigen say that they were expecting results like this as they ensured that all patients taking part in the trial also took part in a behaviour modification program, so the group on the placebo lost more weight than would ordinarily be expected.

Results announced in July 2009 showed much more promising results, meeting at least one of the FDA benchmarks. There were two 56 weeks long non-diabetes trials and in these programs 48% and 56.3% lost at least 5% of their body weight against 16.4% and 17.1% in on the placebo. In the diabetes trial 44.5% lost 5% of their body weight compared with 18.9% on the placebo. There was also a statistically significant reduction in blood sugar levels of 0.6% against 0.1% on the placebo.

Are there other benefits associated with Contrave?

In addition to the loss of weight, there were a number of additional benefits attributed to taking Contrave, such as a reduction in waist circumference and therefore a reduction in the dangerous visceral fat that collects around the middle and is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular problems. There was also a reduction in LDL cholesterol (the bad form of cholesterol) and triglycerides.

Contrave Side Effects

As with all medications, some side effects were noted but they seemed to be very rare. The most serious side effects to be reported were gall bladder infection and seizures. These side effects affected two patients each. One patient had heart palpitations, another had poor circulation and one had suffered from vertigo. The most common side effects included nausea, constipation and headaches.

Can I Buy Contrave?

Following the announcement of the successful clinical trial in January, it is expected that Orexigen will put forward a new drug application for consideration in 2010. Until Contrave has been approved, it will not be available to purchase or prescribe. Until that time, we can offer either Reductil or Xenical weight loss pills to patients who meet the prescribing criteria.

We offer free weight loss consultations on a no obligation basis. Simply click on the free consultation icon to the right and you will be taken to a consultation form that will be reviewed by one of our doctors.