Key takeaways:
Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) is an oral weight-loss medication. It should be combined with regular exercise and a lower-calorie diet to help you lose weight. Contrave is only approved for use in adults.
The typical starting Contrave dosage for weight loss is 1 tablet (8 mg naltrexone / 90 mg bupropion) taken by mouth once daily. Then, the dose is raised weekly until you reach a target dosage of 2 tablets twice daily.
There are many ways to save on Contrave. Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of Contrave at an exclusive cash price. The manufacturer also offers a copay savings card and savings program.
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Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) is an oral prescription weight-loss medication for adults. It contains two active ingredients, naltrexone and bupropion, which work together to control your appetite. You should pair Contrave with a lower-calorie diet and regular exercise.
To get the best results and minimize side effects, it’s important to know how much Contrave you should take. In some cases, medical conditions and drug interactions can affect the recommended dose. Below, we cover the recommended Contrave dosages for weight loss, as well as when adjustments are needed and what to do if you miss a dose.
What’s the typical Contrave dosage?
Contrave is FDA approved for adults who are considered obese or those considered overweight with at least one weight-related medical condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Contrave is not approved for use in children or adolescents.
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Each Contrave tablet contains 8 mg of naltrexone and 90 mg of bupropion. The typical Contrave dosage for weight loss is 2 tablets taken by mouth twice daily (morning and evening). You’ll typically reach this dose after a few weeks, as listed in the table below.
Week | Morning dose | Evening dose |
|---|---|---|
1 | 1 tablet | None |
2 | 1 tablet | 1 tablet |
3 | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
4 and beyond (target dose) | 2 tablets | 2 tablets |
Your prescriber should evaluate your progress after you’ve been taking the target dose for at least 12 weeks (about 3 months). If you’ve lost at least 5% of your starting body weight and are tolerating Contrave well, you can continue taking it long term.
If you’ve lost less than 5% of your starting body weight after taking the target dose for at least 12 weeks, your prescriber may suggest stopping Contrave. This is because it’s unlikely that you’ll see a meaningful benefit from Contrave, even if you continue taking it. They may recommend a different weight-loss treatment.
Keep in mind that your prescriber may instruct you to take a Contrave dosage other than the standard one. Be sure to follow their instructions, even if they’re different from the information above.
How to take Contrave
It’s best to take Contrave with food, but you should avoid taking it with high-fat meals. Doing so can increase your risk of seizures from the bupropion component of the medication.
Do not crush, chew, or split Contrave tablets. This can affect how well your body absorbs Contrave. If you have trouble swallowing pills, a different weight-loss medication may be a better fit for you.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions or interactions?
If you have certain medical conditions, such as kidney or liver disease, your Contrave dosage may be slightly different from what’s outlined above. This is because Contrave can build up in your body if your liver and/or kidneys aren’t working well.
Also, certain medications can interact with Contrave. If you’re taking one of these medications, you may need a different Contrave dosage.
Kidney problems
If you have moderate or severe kidney disease, the maximum recommended Contrave dosage is 1 tablet twice daily. If you have end-stage kidney disease or are receiving dialysis, you shouldn’t take Contrave.
Liver problems
If you have moderate liver disease, the maximum recommended Contrave dosage is 1 tablet twice daily. You shouldn’t take Contrave if you have severe liver disease.
Interactions
Contrave can interact with many medications. You should always share your medication list with your prescriber or pharmacist so they can screen for potential interactions before prescribing Contrave. The manufacturer also has specific recommendations for how to handle certain drug interactions.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): You should wait at least 14 days (2 weeks) after stopping an MAOI before taking Contrave. Likewise, you should wait at least 14 days after stopping Contrave before taking an MAOI. Otherwise, you could experience dangerously high blood pressure.
Medications that block certain liver enzymes (proteins): Medications that affect liver enzymes can block the metabolism (breakdown) of Contrave. This can lead to higher Contrave levels in the body. If you’re taking one of these medications, such as ticlopidine or clopidogrel (Plavix), the maximum recommended Contrave dosage is 1 tablet twice daily.
What happens if you miss a dose of Contrave?
If you forget to take a dose of Contrave, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose at the regular time. Don’t double up or take an extra dose to make up for the one you missed.
What should you do if you take too much Contrave?
If you take too much Contrave, you should check in with your healthcare team. They can help you navigate any side effects you may experience. If you’ve taken a large amount of Contrave, you should call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Serious overdoses of Contrave may require emergency medical care.
Symptoms of a Contrave overdose can include tremors, hallucinations, and coma. Seizures are also possible. If you’re having any of these symptoms after taking too much Contrave, call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.
How to save on Contrave
There are many ways to save on Contrave, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate copay savings cards and other programs from the manufacturer.
Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of Contrave at an exclusive cash price.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $20 for Contrave using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with the CurAccess program. The manufacturer of Contrave, Currax Pharmaceuticals, also offers a savings program called CurAccess. It’s for individuals with or without insurance and allows you to pay as little as $99 per month. To see if you’re eligible, go to GoodRx’s Contrave page and click the link for the CurAccess program.
Frequently asked questions
Take Contrave exactly as prescribed and follow the recommended dosage schedule, which gradually increases your dose over the first 4 weeks. For best results, take your doses with food (but not high-fat meals) and try to take them at the same times each day. A consistent routine, regular exercise, and your prescriber’s nutrition guidance can all help you stay on track.
Your prescriber will likely have you take Contrave for as long as it’s safe and effective for you. They will monitor your progress, including your body weight, side effects, and overall health. If you haven’t lost at least 5% of your starting body weight after 12 weeks of taking the full dose (2 tablets twice a day), they may have you stop taking Contrave.
You don’t need to wait to eat after taking Contrave. It’s typically taken with food. But it’s important to take it with a low-fat meal. High-fat meals can increase how much of the medication your body absorbs, which may raise the risk of side effects, including seizures.
Take Contrave exactly as prescribed and follow the recommended dosage schedule, which gradually increases your dose over the first 4 weeks. For best results, take your doses with food (but not high-fat meals) and try to take them at the same times each day. A consistent routine, regular exercise, and your prescriber’s nutrition guidance can all help you stay on track.
Your prescriber will likely have you take Contrave for as long as it’s safe and effective for you. They will monitor your progress, including your body weight, side effects, and overall health. If you haven’t lost at least 5% of your starting body weight after 12 weeks of taking the full dose (2 tablets twice a day), they may have you stop taking Contrave.
You don’t need to wait to eat after taking Contrave. It’s typically taken with food. But it’s important to take it with a low-fat meal. High-fat meals can increase how much of the medication your body absorbs, which may raise the risk of side effects, including seizures.
The bottom line
Contrave is an oral medication that’s FDA approved for weight loss in adults. It’s a combination of two medications, naltrexone and bupropion.
The target Contrave dosage for weight loss is 2 tablets taken twice daily (morning and evening). But you’ll typically start by taking 1 tablet daily and increase your dosage once a week to reduce the risk of side effects. You may need a lower Contrave dosage if you’re living with liver or kidney problems or take a medication that interacts with it.
After you’ve been taking the target Contrave dosage for 12 weeks, your prescriber should evaluate your progress to determine if you should continue taking Contrave.
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References
MedlinePlus. (2019). Naltrexone and bupropion.
Nalpropion Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Contrave extended-release- naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended release [package insert].
Poison Control. (n.d.). Get Poison Control help online now. The National Capital Poison Center.
