Warnings


What may interact with Contrave?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-any medicines used to stop taking opioids such as methadone or buprenorphine
-linezolid
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-methylene blue (injected into a vein)
-often take narcotic medicines for pain or cough
-other medicines that contain bupropion like Zyban or Wellbutrin
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-alcohol
-certain medicines for blood pressure like metoprolol, propranolol
-certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
-certain medicines for HIV or hepatitis
-certain medicines for irregular heart beat like propafenone, flecainide
-certain medicines for Parkinson''s disease like amantadine, levodopa
-certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
-certain medicines for sleep
-cimetidine
-clopidogrel
-cyclophosphamide
-digoxin
-disulfiram
-furazolidone
-isoniazid
-nicotine
-orphenadrine
-procarbazine
-steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
-stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
-tamoxifen
-theophylline
-thiotepa
-ticlopidine
-tramadol
-warfarin

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Contrave?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia
-diabetes
-depression
-glaucoma
-head injury
-heart disease
-high blood pressure
-history of drug abuse or alcohol abuse problem
-history of a tumor or infection of your brain or spine
-history of heart attack or stroke
-history of irregular heartbeat
-if you often drink alcohol
-kidney disease
-liver disease
-low levels of sodium in the blood
-mental illness
-seizures
-suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
-taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days
-an unusual or allergic reaction to bupropion, naltrexone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-breast-feeding
-pregnant or trying to become pregnant

What should I watch for while using Contrave?

Visit your doctor or healthcare provider for regular checks on your progress.
This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
This medicine may affect blood sugar. Ask your healthcare provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.
Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your healthcare provider.
Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking this medicine. Drinking large amounts of alcoholic beverages, using sleeping or anxiety medicines, or quickly stopping the use of these agents while taking this medicine may increase your risk for a seizure.
Do not drive or use heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine can impair your ability to perform these tasks.
Women should inform their health care provider if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Losing weight while pregnant is not advised and may cause harm to the unborn child. Talk to your health care provider for more information.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.