Medications like Contrave for weight loss can help you on your health journey. Form Health doctors utilize their expertise in weight management combined with careful consideration of your health history, needs, and insurance coverage to prescribe Contrave, if appropriate.
Contrave® is an FDA-approved prescription medication used for chronic weight management in adults with overweight and obesity. It is a combination medication meant to target areas of the brain tied to cravings and appetite. Contrave contains two active ingredients – bupropion and naltrexone – in one extended-release tablet. Contrave for weight loss is meant to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. In a clinical trial, participants taking Contrave® while following a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity lost more weight after one year compared with those changing diet and physical activity alone – 5.4% versus 1.3% in the initial study.
It is not fully understood how Contrave works to promote weight loss. What is known is that Contrave works in at least two areas of the brain – the hypothalamus and the mesolimbic rewards center. The hypothalamus is responsible for a number of important functions, including the regulation of hunger. The action of Contrave in the hypothalamus helps to reduce hunger levels. Within the mesolimbic rewards center, Contrave acts to regulate neurotransmitters responsible for cravings, thereby reducing the pleasure we experience when eating certain foods and ultimately our cravings for food even when we’re not eating.
A Form doctor may prescribe Contrave for weight loss if you have not been able to lose weight or maintain weight loss with diet and exercise alone. The use of Contrave does not replace the need to develop and maintain healthy habits, and, therefore, this medication is most effective when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
At Form Health, our first priority is helping you achieve lasting lifestyle changes and better health. Patients work one-on-one with a Board Certified Doctor and a Registered Dietitian who take an evidence-based approach to develop a personalized plan for each patient. Each plan addresses behavioral health, nutrition, physical activity, and can include FDA-approved medication, when appropriate. Our program, including prescriptions for medications like Contrave, is delivered through a 100% virtual platform.
Who qualifies for Contrave? You may qualify for Contrave if:
It's important to note that even if these points apply to you, you still may not be eligible to take Contrave weight loss medication. Your medical history, current medications, and insurance benefits must also be taken into consideration, and the decision will be made in a discussion between you and your Form Health doctor.
Take the Form Health eligibility quiz
Our simple, 5-minute quiz helps determine if you meet the criteria for our medical weight loss program, and whether your insurance will cover Form program costs. Once you qualify, sign up online on the Form site and download our app.
Complete your onboarding paperwork
Fill out an online onboarding survey that collects information on your medical history, medications, and previous weight loss attempts so your clinical team can get to know you and personalize a weight loss plan for you.
Meet with your Form Health Board Certified Doctor
You will meet your Form doctor during your virtual visit to discuss your personalized weight loss plan, which may include prescription medications like Contrave weight loss pills, if appropriate. Your Contrave prescription will be sent to your preferred pharmacy, local or online.
Meet with your Form Health Registered Dietitian
You will also be working with a dedicated Registered Dietitian. Together, you will set nutrition and exercise goals. Contrave works best when paired with lifestyle changes!
Common side effects of Contrave, similar to other weight loss medications, include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, insomnia (trouble sleeping), dry mouth, changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation), and hot flashes.
Starting at a lower dose and slowly increasing over time helps to improve medication tolerance, and side effects should decrease with time. Some patients can experience an increase in heart rate and blood pressure while taking Contrave, so these should be monitored closely, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure. Very rarely, patients taking Contrave experience suicidal ideation.
