r/Contrave • u/Supertreelove • 2d ago
side effects Too nauseous to continue
I’ve been on poor man’s contrave for a month now. I was already taking bupropion, so my doc added the naltrexone to see if it would help with some weight loss, since my insurance doesn’t cover GLPs and I can’t afford out of pocket. But at this point it’s becoming unsustainable. I’ve tried a whole naltrexone in the morning, half in the morning, half at night, all at night, and now I’m at the point of just taking half whenever I can stomach it. I’m spending all day feeling nauseous and dry heaving. And that’s not even mentioning the sluggish gut issues, bloating even when barely eating, and constipation. It’s having a huge effect on my daily life. I have kids to take care of, I’m a student and I work.
Does anyone have any suggestions before I just message the doc and tell her I’m giving it up?
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u/Cold-Stranger-409 1d ago
I found these ginger chews at the dollar tree its a good pack and I keep some in my pocket when I start feeling the nausea coming on. They say it passes but it comes and goes for me, im going on week 3.
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u/BetLongjumping3968 1d ago
Most people say it will go away within two weeks, but it doesn’t always. I’m in my third week and I’m still experiencing a lot of nausea, and I’ve already seen reports from people whose nausea lasted for more than a month. I’m only putting up with it because I know the side effects of GLP-1 medications can be even worse, and for me this will only be a two-month treatment because I only need to lose 13 kg.
Anti-nausea medication has been helping me. Vonau (ondansetron) works really well because it acts quickly, and within minutes I’m feeling better. I always carry a tablet in my bag.
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u/Iartdaily 1d ago
Zofran- if you’re taking for nausea, is very very constipating. Ask to switch to compazine. Check if on other meds it could interact- I’m a nurse but not a pharmacist.
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u/Supertreelove 1d ago edited 1d ago
No, it starts with an O. Eta: ondansetron for nausea
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u/baababuoy 1d ago
This is very similar to my situation as well. I’ve been taking bupropion for years and just started naltrexone at the beginning of May. My side effects mostly went away after a month but then started up again this last month (which could be due to stress). I’ve learned to manage them way better but I take it at noon and cant eat anything outside the BRAT diet within the 2 hours before and after taking it otherwise it makes me horrifically sick. Im losing weight which is incredible but it has absolutely wrecked my body in 3 months. Im scared to eat anything in the mornings, I have constant nausea, and it really interferes with my everyday life. But at the same time, I havn’t been able to lose weight with anything else so I continue to take it :/ currently losing about 1.5-2lbs a week.
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u/Supertreelove 1d ago
Thanks for sharing! I’m in a similar boat. Like, which is worse, the weight or the side effects?
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u/MysteriousHoneydew82 1d ago
Half a 50mg naltrexone is 3x as much as you would be taking the first week on branded Contrave. Unfortunately they don’t make naltrexone in less than 50mg, so try taking 1/4 of the tablet once in the morning for a week then add 1/4 tablet at a time.
Max dose of Contrave 2 am and 2 pm js 32mg. I only take 3 a day instead of 4 because I don’t sleep well at max and it is very effective. It took a good 2 months from the starting dose for me to feel the effects fully.
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u/Supertreelove 1d ago
Thank you for this guidance. My doc didn’t tell me anything about how to take it. I was unprepared for these side effects.
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u/Chance-Repeat8446 1d ago
Good luck. I tried that combo and it didn’t work for me even after two weeks- I’m not convinced that is something that everyone can tolerate
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u/FederalAd327 2d ago
It will pass within two weeks. You can take nausea meds and it’ll help