Why is your Contrave not working? (3+ reasons why that can happen)

In this article, we will discuss the main reasons why Contrave may not work well for some people. We will also discuss what one should do in case of failure of the treatment with Contrave.

Why is your Contrave not working?

There could be a number of reasons why Contrave may not work for some individuals. Some of the reasons may include:

  • You’re not eating healthy
  • You’re not working out enough
  • You’re not getting enough sleep
  • You’re dehydrated
  • You’re drinking a lot

Contrave (Bupropion+Naltrexone) is a prescription medication used for weight management (1). However, some people fail to see a difference in their body weight. Let’s discuss some of the common reasons why that happens.

You’re not eating healthy

Some people may fail to lose weight on Contrave because of making bad food choices. Contrave is no magic pill and it can’t work alone for your weight management. you have to combine it with a good diet to help achieve your goal (2).

Try to focus on balanced meals with plenty of fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid excess sugar intake or high-calorie foods that might work against Contrave’s effects. Portion control is also important when it comes to losing weight (3).

You’re not working out enough

Physical activity is a partner to Contrave in your weight management journey. Regular workouts not only help with weight loss but also improve overall health (4).

Try exercising for at least 150 minutes each week. If you’re a beginner, you can opt for walking instead of exercising to help your body adjust first. Then you can take your workout routine up a notch.

You’re not getting enough sleep

Another possible reason why you’re not losing weight on Contrave is getting inadequate sleep. Your body needs at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Poor sleep can disrupt hormones related to appetite and metabolism, potentially affecting Contrave’s impact on weight management (5).

Create a proper bedtime routine, keep your bedroom environment comfortable, and avoid screen time before meds to promote better sleep.

You’re dehydrated

Staying hydrated is essential for your body’s functions, including weight loss. Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day (6). If you struggle with drinking water, try adding natural flavours like lemons or berries. This can help make water more desirable for you.

You’re drinking too much

You might not be losing weight while taking Contrave because of your excessive alcohol consumption. Excessive drinking can affect your metabolism and overall health, potentially working against the medication (7).

If you choose to drink, do so in moderation and be aware of how alcohol might interact with Contrave. Discuss your alcohol habits with your healthcare provider for better guidance on the subject.

What to do if Contrave is not helping you lose weight?

It’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider if Contrave fails to work for your weight management. However, it’s important to make sure that you have given enough time for this medication to work.

Meds like Contrave can take a while before they start making noticeable changes in your body. It’s no magic pill and you can’t achieve your weight loss goals in a week or two.

You need to give the medication for at least 3 months, or longer in people who are morbidly obese with a BMI of 40.0 or higher.

Contrave may also cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, mood changes, etc during the early course of the treatment, but these side effects begin to subside as your body adjusts to the medication (1). It can also cause some rare or unusual side effects, like hair loss, water retention, swelling, etc.

It is also important to make sure that you’re eating the right kinds of food and working out enough. However, Contrave might not be the best choice of medication for everyone.

If your doctor believes that Contrave isn’t providing the expected results, they might consider adjusting the dosage or exploring alternative treatment options. Just make sure you don’t make any changes to your prescription without consulting your doctor first.

Contrave should never be discontinued abruptly. Some people may start skipping doses, either because of the side effects or because of an upcoming drug test – as Contrave may cause false positives in some cases.

However, this should not be the case. No matter what the situation is, you should always discuss drug discontinuation with your doctor. Sudden Contrave withdrawal can cause disturbing symptoms.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed some potential reasons that may affect your weight management while taking Contrave. we have also discussed what one should do if the medication fails to manage the symptoms.

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References

1.-

Sherman MM, Ungureanu S, Rey JA. Naltrexone/Bupropion ER (Contrave): Newly Approved Treatment Option for Chronic Weight Management in Obese Adults. P T. 2016 Mar;41(3):164-72. PMID: 26957883; PMCID: PMC4771085. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4771085/ 

2.-

Kim JY. Optimal Diet Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2021 Mar 30;30(1):20-31. doi: 10.7570/jomes20065. PMID: 33107442; PMCID: PMC8017325. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33107442/ 

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Rolls BJ. What is the role of portion control in weight management? Int J Obes (Lond). 2014 Jul;38 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S1-8. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2014.82. PMID: 25033958; PMCID: PMC4105579. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25033958/ 

4.-

Donnelly JE, Smith B, Jacobsen DJ, Kirk E, Dubose K, Hyder M, Bailey B, Washburn R. The role of exercise for weight loss and maintenance. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2004 Dec;18(6):1009-29. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2004.06.022. PMID: 15561636. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15561636/

5.-

Kline CE, Chasens ER, Bizhanova Z, Sereika SM, Buysse DJ, Imes CC, Kariuki JK, Mendez DD, Cajita MI, Rathbun SL, Burke LE. The association between sleep health and weight change during a 12-month behavioral weight loss intervention. Int J Obes (Lond). 2021 Mar;45(3):639-649. doi: 10.1038/s41366-020-00728-8. Epub 2021 Jan 7. PMID: 33414489; PMCID: PMC7914147. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33414489/

6.-

Bracamontes-Castelo G, Bacardí-Gascón M, Jiménez Cruz A. Effect of water consumption on weight loss: a systematic review. Nutr Hosp. 2019 Dec 26;36(6):1424-1429. English. doi: 10.20960/nh.02746. PMID: 31657610. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31657610/

7.-

Sayon-Orea C, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Bes-Rastrollo M. Alcohol consumption and body weight: a systematic review. Nutr Rev. 2011 Aug;69(8):419-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00403.x. PMID: 21790610. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21790610/