Adipex-P vs. Contrave

• Are Contrave and Adipex-P the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Adipex-P?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Contrave?
• What is Adipex-P?
• What is Contrave?
• What Drugs Interact with Adipex-P?
• What Drugs Interact with Contrave?
• How Should Adipex-P Be Taken?
• How Should Contrave Be Taken?

Adipex-P (phentermine) and Contrave (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) are used in combination with diet and exercise for the treatment of obesity. A difference is Adipex-P is intended for short-term use only, while Contrave is used for chronic weight management

Common side effects of Adipex-P include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• dry mouth,
• constipation,
• an unpleasant taste in mouth,
• hives,
• impotence,
• palpitations,
• high blood pressure,
• hyperactivity,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• restlessness,
• headache,
• tremors,
• dizziness, and
• increased or decreased interest in sex.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Adipex-P including:

• shortness of breath, even with mild exertion;
• chest pain, feeling like you might pass out;
• swelling in your ankles or feet;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• confusion or irritability, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Common side effects of Contrave include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• dry mouth,
• anxiety,
• hot flashes,
• fatigue,
• tremor,
• abdominal pain,
• flu symptoms,
• ringing in the ears,
• urinary tract infection,
• high blood pressure,
• increased sweating,
• changes in taste,
• rash,
• muscle strain,
• palpitations,
• problems with attention,
• lightheadedness, or
• fainting.

Adipex/Adipex-P (phentermine) is an appetite suppressant used in combination with diet and exercise for the short-term treatment of obesity.

Contrave (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) Extended-release is a combination of an opioid antagonist and an antidepressant used as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of: 30 kg/m² or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia).

Adipex may interact with insulin or oral diabetes medications or blood pressure medications. Adipex may also interact with alcohol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or antidepressants.

Contrave may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), opioid-containing medicines (such as cough and cold remedies, antidiarrheal drugs, and opioid analgesics), antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, ritonavir, lopinavir, efavirenz, theophylline, corticosteroids, levodopa, amantadine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Contrave is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

The recommended dose of Adipex-P is 30 mg once daily.

Contrave is started at a low dose and gradually increased. A total daily dosage of two Contrave 8 mg/90 mg tablets twice daily (32 mg/360 mg) is reached at the start of Week 4.