Key takeaways
Ozempic (semaglutide) and Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) are both medications that can cause weight loss, although Ozempic is only approved for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but is sometimes used off-label for weight loss. Ozempic is a GLP-1 agonist that is injected under the skin once a week, while Contrave is a combination of an opioid antagonist and a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and comes as oral tablets taken twice a day. Both medications are only available in a branded version. Common side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, whereas Contrave can cause nausea, constipation, and headache. Ozempic may increase the risk of low blood sugar when taken with other diabetes medications, while Contrave should not be taken with opioids due to the risk of overdose or withdrawal. Additionally, Contrave carries a risk of unusual behavior and suicidal thoughts, which is not a concern with Ozempic.
