Active ingredient
Naltrexone-bupropion (extended release): FDA Status, Uses, Safety and Cost
Combination of two medications
What Naltrexone-bupropion (extended release) is
Contrave combines naltrexone (used at other doses for alcohol and opioid dependence) and bupropion (an antidepressant also used for smoking cessation) in an extended-release tablet approved for chronic weight management. It is an oral, non-stimulant, non-GLP-1 option.
Key facts
| Generic (active ingredient) | Naltrexone-bupropion (extended release) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Contrave |
| Drug class | Opioid antagonist + aminoketone antidepressant (combination) |
| Manufacturer | Currax Pharmaceuticals |
| FDA status | FDA ApprovedApproved for chronic weight management |
| Administration | Oral tablet (extended release) |
| Frequency | Twice daily at maintenance (titrated per labeling) |
| Approval date | September 2014 |
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Official label | Prescribing information (DailyMed) |
What Naltrexone-bupropion (extended release) is approved for
- Chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
How Naltrexone-bupropion (extended release) works
Naltrexone and bupropion act on brain pathways involved in appetite and reward, including the hypothalamic melanocortin system. Per labeling, the exact neurochemical effects leading to weight loss are not fully understood.
Administration
Naltrexone-bupropion (extended release) is given by oral tablet (extended release), twice daily at maintenance (titrated per labeling).
We do not publish dosing guidance
Dose selection, titration schedules, and what to do about a missed dose are individual clinical decisions. Follow the instructions from your prescriber and the official prescribing information — never a website.
Important safety information
Boxed Warning — the FDA’s most serious warning
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Contrave contains bupropion, an antidepressant. Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials. Contrave is not approved for use in pediatric patients. Monitor for worsening depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.
Summarized from the product’s FDA prescribing information. Read the full label, linked in Sources below.
Contraindications (who should not take it)
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Seizure disorder or history of seizures
- Anorexia nervosa or bulimia
- Chronic opioid use
- Abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or antiepileptic drugs
- Use during or within 14 days of MAO inhibitors
- Pregnancy
Summarized from the FDA prescribing information. This is not the complete list — see the full label.
Common adverse reactions from official labeling
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
The most common adverse reactions listed in the product’s FDA prescribing information. Frequency and full adverse-reaction data are in the label.
Cost and access
- Prescription only. The manufacturer operates a direct home-delivery program and savings offers; terms change — check the manufacturer site.
Why we don't publish a price
List prices, savings-card amounts, and self-pay offers change frequently and vary by pharmacy, plan, and location. Any figure we printed would be wrong for many readers and stale within weeks. See our cost guide for how to get an accurate number for your own situation.
Insurance considerations
- Coverage varies widely; as an older branded product it may sit on higher formulary tiers where covered.
More detail: how insurance coverage works for weight-loss medication.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Contrave a stimulant or controlled substance?
- No. Unlike phentermine-based options, Contrave is not a controlled substance.
- Who should not take Contrave?
- Per labeling, contraindications include seizure disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, eating disorders (anorexia/bulimia), chronic opioid use, MAOI use, and pregnancy. Review the official label and talk with a clinician.
Sources
- Contrave prescribing information (DailyMed, NIH) — DailyMed/NIH. Link last verified August 12, 2026.
- Drugs@FDA database — FDA. Link last verified August 12, 2026.
Not medical advice. WeightLossDrugsGuide is an independent educational publisher. We are not a pharmacy, a medical provider, or a telehealth clinic, and we do not provide personalized medical recommendations or dosing guidance. Information here summarizes official FDA labeling and other primary sources and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation, and read the full prescribing information for any medication.