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Compare Contrave vs. Saxenda

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

  • Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion)
    Saxenda (liraglutide)
  • Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion)
    Saxenda (liraglutide)

  • Summary of Contrave vs. Saxenda

    Summary for Opioid antagonist / Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) is used along with a lower-calorie diet and exercise routine to help with weight loss for certain adults. This combination medication is a tablet that's taken by mouth. The dosage is slowly raised over the first 3 weeks of treatment until you reach the maintenance dosage of two tablets twice daily. Common side effects include nausea, constipation, and headache. But it can also have more serious risks, such as unusual changes in behavior.

    Summary for GLP-1 agonist
    Prescription only

    Saxenda (liraglutide) is used along with a balanced diet and exercise to help with weight loss in certain adults and children. This prescription weight loss medication is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works by slowing down your gut and making you feel less hungry. Saxenda (liraglutide) is a prefilled pen of medication that's injected once daily under the skin on the stomach or thighs. You can inject Saxenda (liraglutide) at home by yourself after your healthcare professional (HCP) trains you on how to prepare and use it. Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

  • Indications of Contrave vs. Saxenda

    Indications for
    •Long-term treatment for weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater; or BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater and a weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
    Indications for
    •To help with weight management along with a lower-calorie diet and exercise in:
    •Adults with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2, or greater than 27 kg/m2 with a weight-related health problem (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
    •Children 12 years of age and older who weigh over 132 lbs and have a high BMI

  • Pros and Cons of Contrave vs. Saxenda

    Pros and Const for Opioid antagonist / Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
    Pros
    •Is a tablet that's taken by mouth
    •Can see results in as early as 4 weeks (when it's taken along with a balanced diet and regular exercise)
    •Combines 2 different medications into a single pill to help with weight
    Cons
    •Must take twice a day (after the dose ramp-up at the beginning)
    •Might raise your risk for unusual behavior and thoughts of self-harm
    •Not available as a lower-cost generic
    Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
    Pros
    •Can help you lose weight in addition to balanced nutrition and exercise
    •Can take with or without food
    •Safe to use for children 12 years of age and older (with certain BMI)
    Cons
    •Must be given as once-daily injections under the skin
    •Can cause stomach upset
    •Not safe for use for people with personal or family history of thyroid cancer

  • Common Side Effects of Contrave vs. Saxenda

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (33%)
    •Constipation (19%)
    •Headache (18%)
    •Vomiting (11%)
    •Dizziness (10%)
    •Trouble sleeping (9%)
    •Dry mouth (8%)
    •Diarrhea (7%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Nausea (39%)
    •Diarrhea (21%)
    •Constipation (19%)
    •Vomiting (16%)
    •Redness, itching, and other injection site reactions (14%)
    •Headache (14%)
    •Low blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes (13%)
    •Indigestion (10%)

    Children 12 years of age and older:

    •Nausea (42%)
    •Vomiting (34%)
    •Diarrhea (22%)
    •Low blood sugar levels (15%)
    •Dizziness (10%)

  • Warnings of Contrave vs. Saxenda

    Common Side Effects for
    •Suicidal thoughts and behavior
    •Changes in thoughts, behavior, and mood
    •Seizures
    •Don't take Contrave with opioid medications
    •High blood pressure and fast heart rate
    •Liver problems
    •Extreme enthusiasm or excitement (mania)
    •Worsening of glaucoma
    •Potential risk for low blood sugar in certain people with Type 2 diabetes
    Common Side Effects for
    •Possible risk for thyroid cancer
    •Inflamed pancreas
    •Gallbladder problems
    •Low blood sugar
    •Faster heart rate
    •Kidney problems
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Possible risk for self-harm

  • Prices with our coupons for Contrave vs. Saxenda

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