Key takeaways:
Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) is an effective weight-loss medication that can promote significant weight loss when taken as prescribed and combined with diet and exercise changes.
You can save on Contrave by using your insurance, signing up for the CurAccess savings program, or using a manufacturer copay savings card. GoodRx can also help you access Contrave at an exclusive cash price as low as $199.
There are Contrave alternatives available. These weight-loss medications also have savings opportunities. Your prescriber and pharmacist can help you compare your options.
Save on related medications
If lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, haven’t been enough to help you lose weight, your healthcare team may suggest that you try a weight-loss medication. Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) is one of the available weight-loss pills your prescriber might suggest.
Contrave contains two active ingredients: naltrexone (an opioid blocker) and bupropion (an antidepressant). These medications work together to help curb cravings and balance your appetite. Contrave is an oral pill that you take twice a day (after a period of gradually raising your dose).
Cost is a common factor when it comes to deciding if a weight-loss treatment is right for you. Many insurance plans offer limited or no coverage for weight-loss medications. And out-of-pocket costs can quickly add up. So you may be looking for ways to save.
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Below are six tips to help you save on Contrave for weight loss.
How much does Contrave cost?
Without insurance, the average retail price of Contrave is $758.88 per month. But the exact price you pay can vary.
Factors that can affect the cost of your Contrave prescription include:
Your location
The pharmacy you choose
Your prescribed dose and quantity
The availability of discounts, coupons, or insurance coverage
Contrave is a brand-name medication with no generic version on the market. A generic form of Contrave may not be available until at least 2030.
Thankfully, there are several ways for you to save. We’ll discuss six options here.
Savings tip #1: Use your insurance
It’s common for insurance plans not to cover weight-loss medications, including Contrave. And some plans require prior authorization or step therapy before they’ll cover it.
Before filling your prescription, check your plan’s formulary (list of covered medications) and summary of benefits and coverage. This will help you understand if Contrave is covered or if extra steps are needed to secure coverage.
If you have insurance and your plan doesn’t cover Contrave, ask your prescriber about submitting an appeal or a formulary exception.
Savings tip #2: Pay $99 or less per month with the CurAccess program
Contrave’s manufacturer, Currax Pharmaceuticals, offers a savings program. CurAccess is available for people with or without insurance. This program can help you access Contrave for $99 or less per month. This program will ship the medication to you.
Tips for taking Contrave: Here are some pharmacist-backed tips for taking Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) to help you get the most from your medication.
Your Contrave dosage questions, answered: Find out what a typical Contrave dosage is and why it might vary from person to person.
The science behind weight loss: Discover how Contrave works to help you achieve your target body weight.
There are two simple steps to take advantage of the discounted price:
Create an account with Currax’s partner pharmacy, Ridgeway Mail Order Pharmacy. You can do this online or by phone (1-800-630-3214).
Contact your prescriber’s office to send your Contrave prescription to Ridgeway Pharmacy. They can do this through electronic medical records, by phone (1-800-630-3214), or by fax (1-406-642-6050).
To check your eligibility for this savings program, you can check GoodRx’s Contrave page for a link to the CurAccess program.
Savings tip #3: Use the Contrave copay savings card
You may be eligible for Contrave’s copay savings card. Once you enroll and activate your card, show it to a pharmacist or pharmacy technician at your pharmacy when they fill your prescription.
With commercial insurance that covers the medication, the savings card may help you pay as low as $20 for a 1-month supply of Contrave. If your insurance doesn’t cover Contrave or if you’re uninsured, you’ll pay a maximum of $199.
The table below provides more details about Contrave’s copay savings card.
Website | |
Phone number | |
Savings | If your insurance covers Contrave, your copay may be reduced to as little as $20 per month. If your insurance doesn’t cover Contrave or you don’t have insurance, your copay should be no more than $199 per month (with a maximum benefit of $446.40). |
How to get the discount | Register for the Contrave Savings Program online to download a card, and print it. |
Restrictions | The program is for both insured and uninsured individuals. People with state-funded or federally funded insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid, are not eligible for the copay card. |
Savings tip #4: Use GoodRx savings
Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to buy a 30-day supply of Contrave at an exclusive cash price as low as $199. Prices vary slightly by pharmacy.
Savings tip #5: Fill a 90-day supply of Contrave for a better value
If your prescriber wants you to take Contrave for the foreseeable future, asking for a 90-day (3-month) prescription could lower what you pay over time. Many pharmacies offer better per-tablet pricing when you fill a larger supply at once. This can translate to savings compared with refilling every month. A 90-day fill can also help reduce trips to the pharmacy and lower the risk of running out between refills.
Keep in mind that not every insurance plan covers 90-day quantities of Contrave. It’s worth checking with your pharmacy and insurer to compare prices for 30- and 90-day fills.
Savings tip #6: Ask your prescriber about Contrave alternatives
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all pill for weight loss, but there are other options. Ask your prescriber about these. They can review your medical and prescription history and tell you if another weight-loss medication would be safe for you to try.
Depending on your insurance coverage, prices for these may or may not be lower than the price you’d pay for Contrave.
Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira): Phentermine has been around since 1959 and is a common choice for weight loss. But it’s typically limited to short-term use (3 months or less). It comes in brand-name and lower-cost generic versions. Depending on the form you have, you may take phentermine 1 to 3 times daily.
Phentermine / topiramate (Qsymia): Qsymia is a weight-loss pill that contains two active ingredients: phentermine and topiramate (a medication used for migraines and seizures). It comes in brand-name and generic forms that you take once a day in the morning.
Orlistat (Alli, Xenical): Orlistat is a weight-loss pill that comes in two forms. Alli is a lower-dose version that’s available over the counter. Xenical is a higher-dose version that’s prescription only. You should take orlistat by mouth 3 times daily with meals. Xenical comes as a brand-name and generic medication. Alli comes only as a brand-name medication.
Liraglutide (Saxenda): Saxenda is a higher dose of the diabetes medication Victoza. Saxenda is injected rather than taken by mouth. Saxenda is available as a brand-name and generic medication. You inject it under your skin once a day anytime of day.
Semaglutide (Wegovy): Wegovy is a higher-dose version of the diabetes medication Ozempic. Similar to Saxenda, Wegovy is an injectable medication. But you inject your dose only once a week. Wegovy is also FDA approved to reduce the risk of serious heart-related issues in certain people and treat a liver condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. It’s available as a brand-name medication.
Tirzepatide (Zepbound): Zepbound contains the same active ingredient as the diabetes medication Mounjaro. Like Wegovy, Zepbound comes as a once-weekly injection. It’s also approved to treat obstructive sleep apnea in adults considered obese. Zepbound is available as a brand-name medication.
Each of these Contrave alternatives has its own savings opportunities. Be sure to check with your insurance (if applicable) and discuss costs with your prescriber and pharmacist. They can help you find the weight-loss treatment that best fits your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Most people start to notice the effects of Contrave about 4 weeks after starting it. These effects include weight loss and a smaller appetite. That’s because Contrave’s recommended dose escalation time is 4 weeks long. Dose escalation is when you start with a low dose and gradually raise it. It helps your body adjust to the medication and can limit side effects, such as nausea and stomach pain.
Every insurance plan is different when it comes to coverage for Contrave and other weight-loss medications. Some commercial insurance and Medicaid plans may cover it but require a prior authorization or completion of step therapy first. But Medicare, by law, doesn’t cover weight-loss medications when taken solely for the purpose of losing weight. Check with your insurance plan’s formulary and summary of benefits and coverage to see if it covers Contrave.
Research is limited, but it’s possible you may regain weight after stopping Contrave. This medication works only while you’re taking it. If you stop Contrave, effects like appetite balance and craving suppression will stop. For many people, it’s hard to maintain weight loss long term. It’s important to develop a weight-maintenance plan with your healthcare team if you’re going to stop taking Contrave.
If you’re trying to decide between Ozempic (semaglutide) and Contrave, know that neither is objectively better for everyone. The best choice depends on your health goals and medical history and how the medications fit your lifestyle.
Overall, Ozempic tends to produce more significant weight-loss results, especially for people with Type 2 diabetes. Contrave’s effects are usually more modest. Contrave may suit those who prefer an oral option or for people whose weight concerns are tied to appetite, cravings, or emotional eating.
Keep in mind that Ozempic isn’t approved for weight management. Wegovy, the higher-dose version of semaglutide, is.
Most people start to notice the effects of Contrave about 4 weeks after starting it. These effects include weight loss and a smaller appetite. That’s because Contrave’s recommended dose escalation time is 4 weeks long. Dose escalation is when you start with a low dose and gradually raise it. It helps your body adjust to the medication and can limit side effects, such as nausea and stomach pain.
Every insurance plan is different when it comes to coverage for Contrave and other weight-loss medications. Some commercial insurance and Medicaid plans may cover it but require a prior authorization or completion of step therapy first. But Medicare, by law, doesn’t cover weight-loss medications when taken solely for the purpose of losing weight. Check with your insurance plan’s formulary and summary of benefits and coverage to see if it covers Contrave.
Research is limited, but it’s possible you may regain weight after stopping Contrave. This medication works only while you’re taking it. If you stop Contrave, effects like appetite balance and craving suppression will stop. For many people, it’s hard to maintain weight loss long term. It’s important to develop a weight-maintenance plan with your healthcare team if you’re going to stop taking Contrave.
If you’re trying to decide between Ozempic (semaglutide) and Contrave, know that neither is objectively better for everyone. The best choice depends on your health goals and medical history and how the medications fit your lifestyle.
Overall, Ozempic tends to produce more significant weight-loss results, especially for people with Type 2 diabetes. Contrave’s effects are usually more modest. Contrave may suit those who prefer an oral option or for people whose weight concerns are tied to appetite, cravings, or emotional eating.
Keep in mind that Ozempic isn’t approved for weight management. Wegovy, the higher-dose version of semaglutide, is.
The bottom line
Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) is an effective oral weight-loss medication. It can produce promising results when combined with a nutritious diet and routine exercise. But cost can make it hard to access weight-loss medications, including Contrave. And it’s common for insurance plans to not cover this medication.
Ways to save on Contrave for weight loss include using your insurance, signing up for the CurAccess savings program, and using a copay savings card. GoodRx savings are also available. You can discuss potential alternatives with your prescriber.
Why trust our experts?
References
Contrave. (n.d.). CurAccess. Currax Pharmaceuticals.
Orexigen Therapeutics. (2017). Orexigen announces favorable decision from U.S. district court in patent litigation, confirming exclusivity for Contrave through 2030. PR Newswire.
Ridgeway Pharmacy. (n.d.). Contrave.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA. (n.d.). Phentermine and topiramate extended-release capsules CIV.
