What is Contrave?

Contrave is a weight-loss medication that has two key ingredients: bupropion and naltrexone. Bupropion is an antidepressant known to decrease appetite, while naltrexone may reduce food cravings and is also prescribed to help addicts manage opioid or alcohol dependency. Contrave, when combined with exercise and a healthy diet, can effectively support weight loss.

Also Read: Natural Weight Loss Methods

Contrave is an anorexiant drug, which means that it targets areas of the brain to suppress appetite. It is not designed to address other health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. It targets the hypothalamic and limbic regions of the brain, which manage the body’s hunger signals.

Chemically, POMC cells in the hypothalamus produce alpha-MSH and beta-endorphin. Alpha-MSH activates MC4R, which directly affects food intake and energy expenditure, while beta-endorphins inhibit POMC cells by binding with mu-opioid receptors. Contrave enhances POMC cell production through bupropion and prevents inhibition of these cells through naltrexone, thus reducing appetite and increasing energy expenditure.

It is advised to take Contrave along with a balanced, low-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Healthcare providers may recommend it for chronic weight management in obese adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more, or overweight adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or more, who also have at least one weight-related comorbid condition such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type-2 diabetes.

Contrave has its own set of common side effects:

Some mild ones are:

• Vomiting and/or fatigue

• Trouble sleeping and/or unusual dreams

• Dizziness

• Belly pain and/or diarrhea

• Taste changes

Some serious but rare ones are:

• Increased heart rate

• Seizures

• Increased blood pressure

• Liver problems

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda is a drug that is used to treat obesity or weight-related ailments. Its key ingredient is liraglutide, a medicine used to treat obesity and type-2 diabetes. Liraglutide belongs to a group called Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 or GLP-1 agonists. In patients with Type-2 Diabetes, there is less or no secretion of insulin compared to its normal levels. GLP-1 can reduce appetite by delaying the feeling of hunger. It also prevents glucagon secretion (which increases the blood sugar level, in contrast to insulin) if blood sugar levels are already high. Therefore, it resolves both issues: obesity and Type-2 Diabetes. There are several brands that offer liraglutide in different doses. Victoza is one of them, as is Saxenda. While the former is used to treat Type-2 Diabetes,Saxenda mainly focuses on weight loss .

Also Read:Expert weight management tips with Saxenda

Also Read:Liraglutide vs Semaglutide

Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight loss or weight management for people with obesity or any other weight-related ailment. Of course, this drug has to be paired with a balanced diet and increased exercise. This medication emphasizes the appetite reduction function of GLP-1.

Medical healthcare providers may prescribe this drug to an adult with excess weight (BMI ≥ 27), medical problems related to weight, or obesity (BMI ≥ 30). Children aged 12-17 years may be suggested the same if their body weight is above 132 pounds (60kg) or if they are obese.

Commonly observed side effects of Saxenda are:

• Vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Upset stomach/constipation/diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Fever

Some serious yet rare side effects include:

• Low blood sugar level

• Kidney problems

• Acute pancreatitis

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Suicidal thoughts/actions

• Severe allergic reaction

Contrave vs Saxenda: How they work

Contrave is available as a tablet that is usually prescribed for a long period. Saxenda, on the other hand, is liquid and available in a pre-filled, multi-dose injection pen. Contrave has 2 active ingredients that work together to reduce appetite: naltrexone and bupropion. These two start a chain reaction by increasing the production of POMC cells, which affect the hypothalamic and limbic regions of the brain. These are in charge of energy expenditure and appetite.

In contrast, Saxenda has liraglutide as its key ingredient, which is responsible for mimicking GLP-1 or incretin hormones that delay the feeling of an empty stomach, thereby lowering appetite.

Contrave vs Saxenda: Effectiveness

Both Contrave and Saxenda are effective weight loss medications. Clinical trials of Contrave done on 4k plus randomized patients over the course of 56 weeks proved the efficacy of Contrave. People above a BMI of 30-45 without other weight-related ailments or a BMI of 27-45 with controlled hypertension observed a significant loss of weight over the due course of the experiment.

Saxenda had similar clinical trials where 5k plus people were studied for 56 weeks and an extended phase of 104 weeks. Patients had a BMI of 27-30 plus without severe comorbidities. The studies were carried out with different groups of people. One group of people had obesity but were non-diabetic, the second group had Type-2 Diabetes as well. Third group involved behavior modifications (low-calorie diet and exercise). The doses given in these trials replicated the gradual increase that healthcare providers prescribe the drugs.

Table Summarizing Efficacy of Saxenda and Contrave in Clinical Trials

The change percentage of weight loss in people can be consolidated as shown in the following table:

Lira = liraglutide

Nal = naltrexone

Bup = bupropion

*there were 4 different studies performed on the drugs. Check references for the entire data)

It can be concluded that overall Saxenda performed better than Contrave in these trials, while in some cases, Contrave proved to work better.

Saxenda vs Contrave: Dosage, Administration, and Precautions

The dosage of the two drugs varies due to the difference in administration. Contrave is a tablet that has 8mg of naltrexone and 90 mg of bupropion. At the initial stage, Contrave is taken once in the morning for a week. Then it is 2 tablets, one in the morning as per usual and another in the evening. This gradual increase in dosing occurs every week till week 4 when the dosage reaches its optimal point: two tablets taken twice daily, i.e., 32mg of naltrexone and 360mg of bupropion.

Checkpoint is reached after 12 weeks when the patient should observe a weight loss of at least 5% from the initial body weight. If weight loss is slower than that, then alternate means must be explored.

Saxenda is taken once per day. It is injected by a pen under your skin and can be taken at any time of the day. You must learn how to inject it properly before trying it yourself. It is a pre-filled injection for which you can pick a type of needle that may suit you best. The dosage of Saxenda starts with 0.6mg once a day for the first week. In the second week it is increased to 1.2mg, by week 3 it is 1.8mg, 2.4mg in your 4th week, and post that it is 3mg once a day for the remaining weeks.

The checkpoint for Saxenda is at 16 weeks, by which you should observe an upwards of 5% weight loss as compared to the baseline body weight. The final call on the doses rests with the doctor as it may vary for adults and children above the age of 12. Take your healthcare provider’s suggestions and tips for the entire process. It is best if they can show you which places to inject Saxenda. It is advisable to pick different spots each time, and try not to inject into the same spot twice consecutively.

Use a disposable needle only once, and keep them away from children and pets. Unopened injection pens can be stored in the refrigerator. Do not freeze Saxenda. Try protecting in-use pens away from moisture, heat, and sunlight, and store them closed after removing the needle. Use them within 30 days.

Contrave versus Saxenda: Side Effects and Risks

Most of the commonly observed side effects of the drugs are similar:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea/constipation

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Headache

• Mild allergic reaction

• Fatigue

• Abdominal/belly pain

Rare yet serious side effects seen by both the drugs:

• Increased heart rate

• Suicidal thoughts/actions

• Severe allergic reaction

Some side effects specific to the drugs:

Contrave:

• Trouble sleeping

• Increased sweating

• Taste changes/dry mouth

• Tremor

• Anxiousness/nervousness/irritability

• Unusual dreams

• Hair loss

• Increased blood pressure (rare and serious)

• Seizures (rare and serious)

• Liver problems (rare and serious)

Saxenda:

• Bloating

• Fever

• Itchiness/rash (where you inject)

• Low blood sugar level (rare and serious)

• Kidney problems (rare and serious)

• Thyroid cancer (rare and serious)

In most cases the side effects should be temporary/short-term. Do not make adjustments to your doses without consulting your doctor. Contrave has a boxed warning (made by the FDA) of a high risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Saxenda has a boxed warning of thyroid cancer made by the FDA.

Cost and Insurance Coverage of Contrave vs Saxenda

It is advisable that you cover the costs of the drugs by insurance. The cost of Saxenda includes the drug itself, needles that you need to buy, and depends on how many doses you are buying. It can also vary depending on which insurance you have. You can check how much it would cost you by visiting their website. Check with your insurance company before you make any commitments.

The situation is much the same with Contrave too. The cost depends on which pharmacy you visit, if your insurance plan covers it or not, and the quantity of Contrave you wish to purchase. There is a copay card for Contrave, in contrast to Saxenda. If you are eligible for the Contrave Savings Coupon Card, you can save a lot of money.

Contrave has an approximate retail price of $750 for 120 tablets, additionally, you may get a coupon based on the pharmacy you choose. Saxenda has a listed price of approximately $1,635 for five 3ml pens. Again, the price you pay depends on the pharmacy you pick, your insurance company, and the quantity you choose to buy.

User Experiences and Reviews of Saxenda vs Contrave

People using Contrave have a satisfactory review to provide. It gave people more energy and reduced their appetite. Some of them reported no side effects, while some experienced intense nausea, headaches, weird dreams, dry mouth, constipation, etc. at the beginning. Most of them are happy with the results, as their weight loss gratified the uneasiness they faced the first couple of weeks.

The most recent reviews on the drug Saxenda are great. People note a distinct lack of hunger along with a couple of side effects like mild headache and nausea. Paired with a healthy diet, they seem to consume only a small portion compared to before, thereby losing quite some weight. It has helped people control their cravings. They also observe a correlation between nausea and overeating while taking the drug. Most people find it quite easy to inject themselves with Saxenda, once they get used to it.

Contrave or Saxenda: Which One is Right for You?

Both Contrave and Saxenda work to reduce body weight in their own ways. Some people see a more significant affect of Contrave, some people prefer Saxenda. There will be side effects in both, and there are other aspects to consider like the cost of the medications, whether they are covered by your insurance or not, whether they are easily available to you, etc.

More importantly, any other health condition that you may have plays a vital role in choosing between the two drugs. Saxenda is not preferable for people with Type-2 Diabetes, while Contrave cannot be taken if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, opioid addiction, or seizures.

Being honest with your healthcare provider about your ailments, psychological well-being, lifestyle, insurance policy, etc. is essential to receiving a custom-made prescription that best suits you. There are certain medications or food items that may interact poorly with the medication that you take. Make sure to make a list of the diet and lifestyle changes.

Alternatives to Contrave and Saxenda

There are several alternative medications that are prescribed instead of Contrave and Saxenda. Some of them are WeGovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, Xenical, etc. WeGovy and Ozempic have the same key ingredient: semaglutide. Both of them are injectable, like Saxenda, also belonging to the group of drugs called GLP-1. As semaglutides, they emphasize more on treating Type-2 Diabetes than obesity, according to FDA.

Looking for alternatives? You can buy Ozempic in Canada with an online prescription from Science & Humans.

Zepbound, a tirzepatide, is injected under the skin and is prescribed to people with obesity and/or comorbidities like Type-2 Diabetes, heart diseases, obstructive sleep apnea, etc. It is also a part of the GLP-1 group. Its side effects are similar to Contrave and Saxenda. To decide on one medication, consult one of our healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

Contrave and Saxenda, both have their pros and cons. Which one of them you pick depends on a lot of factors. Contrave is taken in the form of tablets, while Saxenda is injected by a pen. They have a variety of side effects and they affect different regions of your body. The effectiveness of the drugs depends on your age, your dosage, lifestyle, and other health conditions. The cost of the medication also plays a role in choosing one of them, so talking to your insurance company beforehand may prove beneficial.

Consulting a professional healthcare provider is essential to avoid any adverse side effects. They take into consideration everything before prescribing you the medication, so being honest with them and not altering the dose without talking to them is in your best interest.

There are a variety of medicaL professionals you can consult, including the ones at Science and Humans for your weight loss journey. All you need to do is be motivated enough to see it through. You deserve to love your body, and your body deserves to be healthy. Take steps to ensure a healthy body and mind, you deserve it.