CONTRAVE
Contrave is a combination of two FDA-approved drugs, naltrexone and bupropion, which work together to help individuals lose weight. Naltrexone is primarily used to treat opioid and alcohol dependence, while bupropion is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. Together, these medications create a unique and powerful weight loss tool.
⇨ CONTRAVE should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
⇨ It is not known if CONTRAVE changes your risk of heart problems or stroke or of death due to heart problems or stroke.
⇨ It is not known if CONTRAVE is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight-loss products.
⇨ CONTRAVE is not approved to treat depression or other mental illnesses, or to help people quit smoking (smoking cessation).
Contrave is specifically designed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have weight-related health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. It is intended to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Contrave works by targeting two key areas of the brain: the hunger center and the reward system. Naltrexone helps to reduce cravings by blocking the opioid receptors, while bupropion increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which can help suppress appetite and increase energy levels.
While taking CONTRAVE, you or your family members should pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when you start taking CONTRAVE or when your dose changes.
Stop taking CONTRAVE and call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family members notice any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempts to commit suicide; depression; anxiety; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; irritability; aggression, anger, or violence; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking; other unusual changes in behavior or mood; trouble sleeping.
CONTRAVE is not approved for use in children under the age of 18.
Do not take CONTRAVE if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; have or have had seizures; use other medicines that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN, WELLBUTRIN SR, WELLBUTRIN XL, APLENZIN and ZYBAN; have or have had an eating disorder called anorexia or bulimia; are dependent on opioid pain medicines or use medicines to help stop taking opioids, or are in opiate withdrawal; drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, or use medicines called sedatives (these make you sleepy), benzodiazepines, or anti‐seizure medicines and stop using them all of a sudden; are taking or have taken medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the past 14 days; or are allergic to any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you have: depression or other mental illnesses; attempted suicide; seizures; head injury; tumor or infection of brain or spine; low blood sugar or low sodium; liver or kidney problems; high blood pressure; heart attack, heart problems, or stroke; eating disorder; drinking a lot of alcohol; prescription medicine or street drug abuse; are 65 or older; diabetes; pregnant or planning to become pregnant; or breastfeeding.
- Seizures. There is a risk of having a seizure when you take CONTRAVE. The risk of seizure is higher in people who take higher doses of CONTRAVE, have certain medical conditions, or take CONTRAVE with certain other medicines. Do not take any other medicines while you are taking CONTRAVE unless your healthcare provider has said it is okay to take them. If you have a seizure while taking CONTRAVE, stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider right away.
- Risk of opioid overdose. Do not take large amounts of opioids, including opioid-containing medicines, such as heroin or prescription pain pills, to try to overcome the opioid-blocking effects of naltrexone. This can lead to serious injury, coma, or death.
Get emergency medical help right away if you take opioids and you:
- have trouble breathing
- become very drowsy with slowed breathing
- have slow, shallow breathing
- feel faint, very dizzy, confused, or have unusual symptoms
- Sudden opioid withdrawal. People who take CONTRAVE must not use any type of opioid including street drugs, prescription pain medicines, cough, cold, or diarrhea medicines that contain opioids, or opioid dependence treatments, for at least 7 to 10 days before starting CONTRAVE. Using opioids in the 7 to 10 days before you start taking CONTRAVE may cause you to suddenly have symptoms of opioid withdrawal when you take it. Sudden opioid withdrawal can be severe, and you may need to go to the hospital. Tell your healthcare provider you are taking CONTRAVE before a medical procedure or surgery.
- Severe allergic reactions. Stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
- Increases in blood pressure or heart rate. Some people may get high blood pressure or have a higher heart rate when taking CONTRAVE. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure and heart rate before you start taking, and while you take CONTRAVE.
- Liver damage or hepatitis. Stop taking CONTRAVE and tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems: stomach area pain lasting more than a few days, dark urine, yellowing of the whites of your eyes, or tiredness. Your healthcare provider may need to stop treating you with CONTRAVE if you get signs or symptoms of a serious liver problem.
- Manic episodes. Bupropion can cause some people who were manic or depressed in the past to become manic or depressed again.
- Visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma). Signs and symptoms may include: eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around the eye. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you are at risk for angle‐closure glaucoma and to get treatment to prevent it if you are at risk.
- Increased risk of low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also take medicines to treat their diabetes (such as insulin or sulfonylureas). You should check your blood sugar before you start taking CONTRAVE and while you take CONTRAVE.
Board Certified, Patient Approved
Chicago Concierge Weight Loss Clinic offers a warm, supportive environment under the guidance of our physicians, led by Dr. Sam Speron. As a board-certified Plastic Surgeon and Chief Medical Officer, he sets the standard for our dedicated team of doctors. All our physicians are board-certified and highly trained in obesity medicine. Just like Dr. Speron, they genuinely care about our patients and are committed to providing an exceptional experience throughout your weight loss journey.
We believe in a holistic approach to weight loss, focusing on both physical and emotional well-being. Our comprehensive program incorporates, weight loss medicine, supplements, nutrition counseling, fitness coaching, and ongoing support to empower you to make lasting changes. We are here to help you overcome any obstacles and celebrate your victories along the way.
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Dr. Sam Speron is board certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery and an active member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). OVER 5300 FIVE STAR REVIEWS!
Why Choose Medically Assisted Weight Loss?
Did you know there are many things beyond your control that prevent you from losing weight? They include a sluggish metabolism, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and even resistance to insulin. Many people are unaware that they're living with one or more of these conditions. They've simply felt the effects when they struggle to slim down. Medical weight loss helps you take back control by correcting the ailments that force your body to hang onto unwanted fat. Under direct physician supervision, you’ll receive the right medications and vitamins to help your body break down its own fat cells. These can include powerful appetite suppressants like phentermine as well as injection treatments like HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and GLP-1 therapies like Ozempic and Wegovy. You do not need to have a medical condition to benefit from medical weight loss. In fact, several of our own physicians and nurses have gone through our programs with results that have lasted to this day.
In addition to our comprehensive medication options, we formulate our own exclusive injection compounds - Tirzepatide, which is even more effective and includes vitamin B six to counteract the G.I. side effects. Patients often come in seeking our popular injection, a potent lipotropic developed by our medical team to let you safely drop up to 3.5 pounds of body fat per week.
You may be wondering whether you’ll need to make extreme lifestyle changes to go through our weight loss programs. The answer is no. Medical weight loss allows you to shed significant body fat without any overly strenuous exercise. So long as you maintain a sensible healthy diet, your body continues to burn its own fat as fuel, resulting in continued weight reduction by the day. Of course, patients that exercise will absolutely notice a much better outcome especially with regards to weight loss and maintenance of your desired results. We really do also want to emphasize a lifestyle change. Please be careful with other Weight loss clinics that tell you that you do not have to eat healthier or work out at all and can just sit back and achieve fantastic results that will last your entire lifetime. That is just not realistic.
Thanks to our proven effective programs, giving yourself the gift of a fit, healthier mind and body no longer needs to be challenging or uncomfortable. If you’d like to learn more about how our programs can work for you, you're welcome to call or email our knowledgeable team. Our friendly staff will guide you to the right resources to help you make the best decision for you. We offer free consultations, 7 days a week.
Chicago Concierge Weight Loss Clinic offers a warm, supportive environment under the guidance of our physicians, led by Dr. Sam Speron. As a board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Anti-Aging Physician and Chief Medical Officer, he sets the standard for our dedicated team of doctors. All our physicians are board-certified and highly trained in obesity medicine. Just like Dr. Speron, they genuinely care about their patients and are committed to providing an exceptional experience throughout your unique weight loss journey.
We believe in a holistic approach to weight loss, focusing on both physical and emotional well-being. Our comprehensive program incorporates, weight loss medicine, supplements, regular lab work, nutrition counseling, fitness coaching, psychological therapy, skin tightening laser treatments, massages and ongoing support to empower you to make lasting changes. We are here to help you overcome any obstacles or setbacks while helping you celebrate your victories along the way to a new you.
As little as 30 days
Our next success story could be yours
