Xenical vs. Contrave

Xenical (orlistat) and Contrave (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) Extended-release are used as adjuncts to diet and exercise to help with weight loss.

Contrave is used in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of: 30 kg/m2 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).

Xenical and Contrave belong to different drug classes. Xenical is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor and Contrave is a combination of an opioid antagonist and an antidepressant.

Side effects of Xenical and Contrave that are similar include stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and skin rash.

Side effects of Xenical that are different from Contrave include oily spotting on underwear, flatulence, urgent bowel movements, fatty or oily stools, increased number of bowel movements, inability to control bowel movements, gas with discharge, loose stools, rectal pain, weakness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, itching, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), problems with your teeth or gums, cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms), and back pain.

Side effects of Contrave that are different from Xenical include constipation, dizziness, trouble sleeping (insomnia), dry mouth, anxiety, hot flashes, fatigue, tremor, flu symptoms, ringing in the ears, urinary tract infection (UTI), high blood pressure, increased sweating, changes in taste, muscle strain, palpitations, problems with attention, lightheadedness, and fainting.

Both Xenical and Contrave may interact with HIV/AIDS medications and blood thinners.

Xenical may also interact with cyclosporine, thyroid medicines, amiodarone, insulin or oral diabetes medicines, seizure medicines (especially if your seizures get worse while taking orlistat), and vitamin or minerals supplements that contain beta-carotene or vitamin E.

Contrave may also 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, theophylline, corticosteroids, levodopa, amantadine, and alcohol.

Side effects of Xenical include:

• oily spotting on underwear
• flatulence
• urgent bowel movements
• fatty or oily stools
• increased number of bowel movements
• inability to control bowel movements
• gas with discharge
• loose stools
• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• rectal pain
• weakness,
• dark urine
• clay-colored stools
• itching
• loss of appetite
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• problems with your teeth or gums
• cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms)
• headache
• back pain, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Xenical including blood in your urine, urinating less than usual or not at all, drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, or fast heart rate.

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.

Xenical (orlistat) is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor used to help with weight loss by preventing the digestion and absorption of fat in food by inhibiting the enzyme lipase in the intestine.

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).

Xenical may reduce the absorption and blood levels of cyclosporine when both drugs are administered together. Xenical may also cause vitamin K levels to decline, and patients taking warfarin (Coumadin) must have their blood clotting monitored closely.

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.

Xenical is taken as oral capsules.

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.