Lomaira vs. Contrave for Weight loss: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Lomaira

(phentermine)

Contrave

(naltrexone / bupropion)

Summary for Lomaira

Prescription only

Lomaira (phentermine) is a prescription appetite suppressant. It's used to help with weight loss and is approved for people ages 17 years and older. Lomaira (phentermine) is taken by mouth, typically three times per day. This medication is shorter-acting compared to Adipex-P (phentermine), which is taken once daily. Common side effects include dry mouth, trouble sleeping, and headache. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Lomaira (phentermine) because doing so can lead to serious risks, such as dizziness and heart problems.

Indications for Lomaira

Short-term treatment for weight management in people ages 17 years and older with a body mass index (BMI) of:
- 30 kg/m2 or greater; or
- 27 kg/m2 or greater, and with at least one other weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol)

Pros and Cons for Lomaira

Pros

Many people lose about 5% to 10% of body weight
Makes you feel less hungry soon after you start treatment
Taken by mouth

Cons

Taken multiple times a day
Harder to fall asleep if taken too close to bedtime
Short-term treatment only

Common Side Effects for Lomaira

Dry mouth
Headache
Tremor
Constipation
Diarrhea
High blood pressure
Fast heart rate
Difficulty sleeping

Warnings for Lomaira

Not safe to combined with other weight loss medications
Phentermine not working well
Risk of misuse and dependence
Trouble concentrating or problem with coordination
Heart and lung problems
Risk of high blood pressure
Risk of low blood sugar in people with diabetes

Summary for Contrave

Prescription only

Contrave is a combination medication that helps with weight loss for certain adults. It's taken along with a balanced diet and exercise plan. Contrave is a tablet with two active ingredients that help regulate your appetite. They are naltrexone (an opioid antagonist) and bupropion (a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). Your dosage will slowly increase over the first 3 weeks. Then, you take the maintenance dose of two tablets by mouth twice a day. Some side effects are nausea, constipation, and headache. But it can also have serious risks, like unusual changes in behavior. Contrave is brand name only; there isn't a generic version available yet.

Indications for Contrave

Long-term weight management in certain adults
- Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater
- Adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater and a weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)

Pros and Cons for Contrave

Pros

Comes as a tablet that you take by mouth
Might start to notice results in as early as 4 weeks (when taken along with a balanced diet and regular exercise)

Cons

Must take twice a day (after the dose ramp-up at the beginning)
Might raise your risk of unusual behavior and thoughts of self-harm
Interacts with a lot of medications

Common Side Effects for Contrave

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

Warnings for Contrave

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
Possible changes in thoughts, behavior, and mood
Seizures
Don't take Contrave with opioid medications
Higher blood pressure and faster heart rate
Liver problems
Mania (extreme enthusiasm or excitement)
Worsening of glaucoma in certain people
Potential risk of low blood sugar in people taking certain medications for Type 2 diabetes