Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to help with weight loss and weight management in certain adults. It’s prescribed in combination with exercise and a reduced calorie diet in adults with:

Contrave comes as extended-release oral tablets. It has two active ingredients: naltrexone and bupropion. Naltrexone belongs to a drug class called opioid antagonists, and bupropion belongs to a drug class called antidepressants. These drugs work in different ways to help manage weight.

Currently, there isn’t a generic version of Contrave. Contrave is available only as a brand-name drug.

For information about the dosage of Contrave, including its strength and how to take it, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Contrave, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Contrave provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Contrave, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Typical dosages of Contrave are described below. However, your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Contrave form

Contrave comes as extended-release (ER) oral tablets. ER means the tablets slowly release Contrave in your body over time after you take a dose.

You’ll take the tablets by swallowing them.

Contrave strengths

Each Contrave tablet contains:

  • 8 milligrams (mg) naltrexone
  • 90 mg bupropion

Typical dosages for weight loss and weight management

Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes the commonly prescribed or recommended starting dosage and ongoing dosages. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Your doctor will likely increase your dosage over the first 4 weeks of treatment. After this, you’ll likely continue taking the same dosage for the rest of treatment. Recommended dosages are summarized in the table below.

Week of treatmentDaily dosage
Week 1morning: one tablet
evening: none
Week 2morning: one tablet
evening: one tablet
Week 3morning: two tablets
evening: one tablet
Week 4 and aftermorning: two tablets
evening: two tablets

Long-term treatment

Contrave is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Contrave is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Answers to some frequently asked questions are provided below.

What is the best time to take the evening dose of Contrave?

By week 4 of treatment, you’ll take Contrave in the morning and evening. There’s not a certain best time to take your evening dose. However, you should try to take your doses around the same times each day. This helps to maintain a steady level of the drug in your body.

If you take your second dose with your evening meal, avoid consuming high fat foods. Having too much fat in your meal can affect how the active drugs in Contrave act in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects from the medication.

For additional information on how to take Contrave doses, see the “How to take Contrave” section below.

Is there a dosing schedule for Contrave?

Yes, there’s a dosing schedule for Contrave. Over the first 4 weeks of Contrave treatment your dosage will increase. Then after 4 weeks, you’ll likely continue taking the same dosage.

Your doctor will discuss Contrave dosing instructions with you. Your pharmacist will also review your dosing schedule and may include a dosing guide with your prescription.

If you have questions about your dosing schedule, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For additional information about Contrave’s dosage, see the “Contrave dosage” section above.

How does the dosage of Contrave compare with the dosage of Wellbutrin?

Contrave and Wellbutrin are different medications and cannot be substituted for one another. For this reason, they have different dosages.

Wellbutrin and Contrave contain different strengths of the active drug bupropion. Unlike Wellbutrin, Contrave also contains the active drug naltrexone.

Contrave is prescribed for weight loss and weight management in certain adults. Wellbutrin is prescribed for mood disorders including depression.

Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in learning more about how Contrave and Wellbutrin compare.

What should I know about taking Contrave with an opioid?

Contrave’s active drug bupropion can make opioid pain relievers less effective than they typically are. Taking Contrave with an opioid may also lead to sudden opioid withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.

If a person takes more than the recommended dosage of an opioid with Contrave, it may result in opioid intoxication or overdose that can be life threatening.

Before starting Contrave treatment, talk with your doctor if you take opioids.

The Contrave dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors, including certain medications you take. Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Contrave dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may decrease your Contrave dosage if you have kidney or liver problems. They may also adjust your dosage if you take certain other drugs, such as those that increase the risk of seizures.

Before you start Contrave treatment, tell your doctor about your health history and any other medications you take.

Contrave comes as extended-release (ER) oral tablets. ER means the tablets slowly release Contrave in your body over time after you take a dose.

You’ll take the tablets by swallowing them. It may be helpful to take Contrave around the same times each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Contrave can work effectively.

Contrave can be taken with or without food. That said, if you take it with meals, high fat meals should be avoided. This is because fat can increase how much of the drug your body is exposed to, which raises your risk of side effects from the medication.

If you drink alcohol, you should avoid or minimize alcohol consumption during Contrave treatment. If you have concerns about this, talk with your doctor.

Contrave tablets should be swallowed whole. They should not be chewed, crushed, or broken. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Contrave in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Contrave, skip the missed dose. Then, take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about when to take your next dose of Contrave if you have missed a dose.

If you take more Contrave than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you do not take more Contrave than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of Contrave overdose

Overdose symptoms of Contrave can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Contrave

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Contrave. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Contrave for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Contrave without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Contrave that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Contrave. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Contrave. For information about other aspects of Contrave, refer to this article.
  • Interactions. For details about what Contrave interacts with, see this article.
  • Details about weight loss management. For details about weight loss management, see our exercise and fitness hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.