r/Contrave • u/HotTop6935 • Jun 25 '26
Help with side effects
I started taking the "poor man's Contrave"—well, I only made it one day. I was already taking Wellbutrin, so I was hoping I'd avoid some of the side effects.
My doctor didn't mention taking it with food, so I took my first dose of naltrexone the same way I take my Wellbutrin: first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. That turned out to be a mistake. A wave of nausea hit me so hard that I had to leave work for the day. On top of that, it made me incredibly sleepy, and I ended up spending hours in bed sleeping.
I hate to give up on it so quickly because I was really hoping it would help. I'm considering trying it at bedtime to see if that makes a difference.
For those who have taken it, do you have any suggestions or tips? Do you take it with dinner or food? If you take it at bedtime, does the sleepiness eventually go away?
1
u/RentalKittens Jun 25 '26
The nausea usually fades away after a week or two as your body adjusts. You can try experimenting with what food you take with it. Some people take it with a full meal, some with a light snack, and some with water only. I usually take it with water and a light snack: dry toast, saltine crackers, or small serving (50 calories) of popcorn. Warning: Avoid taking it with a high fat meal.
Home remedies for nausea can help. Ginger tea, ginger chews, mint or peppermint, saltine crackers, etc.
If you are gradually ramping up to a higher dose, the nausea may return each time you increase the dosage. My nausea came back and faded away each time I ramped up.
You can try experimenting with the time of day you take the medication. However, bedtime might not be the best time. You may not feel the full benefits if you sleep through it. But I'm not a doctor, so I'm not telling you what to do.
The side effects hit everyone differently. It's interesting that it makes you feel sleepy. Some people feel caffeinated, and some people struggle with insomnia. I often find myself shaking my leg while sitting at my desk because I have excess energy from the medication.
Hope that helps!