How Long Does Contrave Take to Work?

Embarking on a journey to lose weight is a meaningful and empowering decision. You should be proud of your commitment to working toward your health goals. You, too, can achieve your target body weight with a little bit of patience by making small lifestyle changes over time. Medications can also help — if and when needed.

Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion) is one tool to consider. An oral medication meant for chronic weight management, it works best when used in combination with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. The active ingredients in Contrave work together in your brain to reduce your appetite and help manage your cravings.

Contrave doesn’t work right away, though. It needs some time to make a difference. Let’s discuss the finer details about when you can expect results and answer other important questions you may have about your Contrave prescription.

How long does Contrave take to work?

Contrave is an effective medication for weight loss overall. But you may not notice immediate results after taking your first dose. Remember — a weight loss journey is a marathon, not a sprint.

It can take some time before you notice any differences in your body weight. Some weight loss may happen after about 4 weeks (1 month) of taking Contrave, but bigger changes can take up to 12 weeks (3 months).

Why the delay? Changes in appetite and cravings occur gradually as you ramp up your Contrave dosage. It’s normal to start with a low dose and gradually increase it over a 4-week period.

Good to know: It’s important to stick to your healthcare professional’s dosage instructions carefully for best results. Don’t take more tablets than prescribed. You’ll start Contrave at a low dose and increase it gradually to minimize bothersome side effects.

How long does it take to see full effects from Contrave?

It can take up to 6 to 8 months of consistent use to see the full weight loss effects of Contrave. Again, though, you may notice some initial changes after about 1 month, with more noticeable results happening at around 3 months.

Promotion disclosure

credit_cardSponsored copay cardSubject to eligibility

Contrave

Avg retail price

$768.20(Save 87.11%)

Copay card

$99.00

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Contrave is also just one tool in your toolbelt for achieving long-lasting weight loss. You can make your weight loss journey more efficient by combining your prescription with a nutritious diet and routine exercise. You don’t need to entirely transform your diet to lose weight, either. Focus first on substituting one or two items that aren’t helping you achieve your body weight goals, such as snacks or desserts, with lower-calorie alternatives. Make additional changes from there as needed.

Keep in mind that everyone is different, too. Some people may lose weight rather quickly, while others may have to wait a bit longer to see results. Patience is essential. Stick with your treatment regimen even if you’re not seeing ideal changes right away. However, reach back out to your prescriber to discuss alternatives if you haven’t had any luck after 3 months.

Are there factors that can affect how long Contrave takes to work?

Yes. Several factors can affect how quickly Contrave works to help you lose weight. Two of the most important are diet and exercise.

Contrave is meant to be taken alongside a nutritious eating plan and regular physical activity. The medication may not be as effective without these efforts. It may also take longer to see results.

Health conditions can also affect your weight loss timeline. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome, among other similar conditions, are just a few examples.

Poor sleep habits can make a difference, too. Do your best to maintain good sleep hygiene, because it can affect how quickly you lose weight. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Your Contrave dosage questions, answered: Understand what a typical Contrave dosage is and why it might vary from person to person.

• Exploring your options: Get the scoop on how two popular weight loss medications, Wegovy and Contrave, stack up to one another.

• The science behind weight loss: Discover how your Contrave prescription works to help you achieve your target body weight.

Taking your medication as prescribed is crucial, too. Contrave won’t work as well to help you lose weight if you miss multiple doses or take too little. Talk to your healthcare professional if you’re not sure how or when to take Contrave.

What should you expect when starting Contrave?

Taking a new step on your weight loss journey can be both nerve-wracking and exciting. But setting realistic expectations can help you stay on the right path.

You may experience some side effects when you first start taking Contrave. Nausea, constipation, and headaches are typical, but they’re usually mild and shouldn’t last too long. Speak to your healthcare professional if they become bothersome or don’t go away.

You may also experience subtle appetite changes during the first few weeks of taking Contrave. You may feel fuller after meals, and you may have fewer urges to snack throughout your day. But it’s important to remember that Contrave isn’t a magic pill. It works best when combined with a balanced diet and exercise.

Weight loss happens slowly over time, and it’s important to be patient and kind to yourself during this journey. Setting achievable goals and celebrating small victories can help you maintain motivation.

How long do you need to take Contrave?

Everyone’s different, so it’s hard to generalize. Some people take Contrave for a shorter period of time, while others take it for several years. The length of time you’ll need to take Contrave depends on a few factors. Your weight loss goals, how well your body tolerates Contrave, and your desire to keep taking the medication are all important factors.

Typically, your healthcare professional will recommend trying Contrave for a period of at least 3 months. This is long enough to determine if Contrave is working for you. After that, they can help you decide whether you should continue taking the medication or if it’d be better to switch to a different one. At that point, they can also give you a better idea of how long you may need to take medication moving forward.

How to save on Contrave

There are ways to save on Contrave, which only comes as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $20 per month for Contrave using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Contrave’s CurAccess patient assistance program, which provides a month of medication for $99 or less (plus free delivery).

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD, has more than 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and is licensed in California. In his career, he’s had experience with specialty pharmacy, community pharmacy, pharmacy benefit management, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts