Dr. Benjamin H. Krasne, M.D.
Board-certified physicianBoard-certified in anesthesiology, he reads medications and metabolism with a pharmacologist's eye, which shapes how he doses weight loss and longevity care.
A non-GLP-1 weight loss tablet
Bupropion-naltrexone online for weight loss
Bupropion-naltrexone, sold as Contrave, is an FDA-approved tablet for long-term weight management that works on appetite and cravings in the brain. A short online visit tells you whether it is safe for you.
- FDA-approved for weight management
- No injections, taken by mouth
- Free 5–10 minute consultation
Free to book. You pay only if you go ahead with treatment.
$129starting price, per month
Licensed U.S. clinician review
Form: Tablets, twice daily
From $129/motransparent price
5–10 minphone or video
No insuranceneeded
LicensedU.S. clinicians
Why get bupropion-naltrexone through My IV Doctors
Full interaction check
Your clinician reviews every medicine and supplement you take, including opioids, MAOIs and antidepressants, before prescribing this two-ingredient tablet.
Clear four-week plan
You get a written schedule that builds from one tablet a day to the full dose over four weeks, so your body has time to adjust.
Progress check at 12 weeks
If the medicine is not working well by your 12-week check, your clinician talks with you about other weight loss options.
An option without needles
If you can't take a GLP-1 medicine or prefer not to inject, this oral tablet gives you an FDA-approved alternative to discuss.
How to get bupropion-naltrexone online
- 1
Pick a time for your free visit
Choose a free phone or video consultation online. No insurance needed.
- 2
Talk with a clinician
In 5–10 minutes a licensed U.S. clinician asks about blood pressure, seizures, eating disorders, mood, opioid use, alcohol and your current medicines.
- 3
Start your four-week dose increase
If it is appropriate, you begin with one tablet a day and add a tablet each week until you reach two tablets twice a day.
- 4
Check results at 12 weeks
After 12 weeks on the full dose, your clinician looks at your weight. If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting weight, the label advises stopping.
Who bupropion-naltrexone is for
Adults with obesity or overweight
Adults with obesity, or overweight plus a related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.
Prefer a pill to injections
If you do not want injections, this is a twice-daily tablet.
Can't take a GLP-1
For example, those with a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, for whom GLP-1 medicines are not used.
Food cravings drive your eating
Its action on the brain's reward pathways may help people who struggle most with cravings.
Who shouldn't take it
People with uncontrolled high blood pressure, seizures, bulimia or anorexia, ongoing opioid use, recent use of an MAOI or sudden withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines or anti-seizure drugs. It is not used in pregnancy.
Bupropion-naltrexone vs. GLP-1 injections
| Feature | Bupropion-naltrexone | GLP-1 injections |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Extended-release tablets | Injection under the skin |
| How often | Twice daily at full dose | Daily or weekly, by product |
| How it acts | Acts on hunger and reward in the brain | Mimics a gut hormone that boosts fullness |
| Average weight loss in trials | More modest | Generally larger |
| Price here | From $129/mo | Varies by medicine |
What is bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)?
Bupropion-naltrexone combines two medicines in one extended-release tablet: 90 mg of bupropion and 8 mg of naltrexone. The brand name is Contrave. The FDA approved it, together with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity, for long-term weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related condition.
It does not act on GLP-1 receptors. Instead, bupropion affects brain chemicals involved in hunger and reward, and naltrexone blocks an opioid feedback signal that would otherwise blunt bupropion's effect. Together they can reduce appetite and the pull of food cravings.
If you can't or would rather not use injections, or can't take a GLP-1 medicine, it offers an oral alternative. Average weight loss in trials was more modest than with GLP-1 injections, and the medicine has its own set of safety checks. A licensed U.S. clinician at My IV Doctors reviews those with you before prescribing.
Bupropion-naltrexone dosage schedule
Each tablet contains 8 mg naltrexone and 90 mg bupropion. The dose rises over four weeks to let your body adjust. Take tablets with food but not with a high-fat meal, which greatly raises how much medicine enters your blood. Swallow them whole; do not cut, chew or crush them.
- Week 1: 1 tablet in the morning
- Week 2: 1 tablet morning and 1 tablet evening
- Week 3: 2 tablets morning and 1 tablet evening
- Week 4 onward: 2 tablets morning and 2 tablets evening (the maximum)
- Moderate or severe kidney or moderate liver problems: no more than 2 tablets a day
Bupropion-naltrexone weight loss results
In the 56-week trials listed in the FDA label, average weight loss on the full dose ranged from 3.7% (in people with type 2 diabetes) to 8.1% (with an intensive behavior program), compared with 1.7% to 4.9% on placebo. Between 36% and 57% of people on the medicine lost at least 5% of their weight.
That is less on average than GLP-1 injections, but it may be enough to make a meaningful difference for some people, especially when paired with diet and activity changes. If it is not working by the 12-week check, your clinician will suggest other options.
Bupropion-naltrexone drug interactions
Because of the two ingredients, interactions matter more than with many weight medicines. Your clinician needs a complete list of what you take, including supplements.
- Opioid pain relievers and opioid treatment medicines: naltrexone blocks them
- MAOIs, including linezolid: wait at least 14 days between them
- Other bupropion products such as Wellbutrin or Zyban
- Some antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers and heart rhythm drugs, whose levels bupropion can raise
Bupropion-naltrexone side effects and safety
Bupropion-naltrexone carries a boxed warning and several precautions. Your clinician checks each one before prescribing and at follow-up.
- Boxed warning: antidepressant-type medicines can increase suicidal thoughts, especially in young adults; report new or worsening depression, agitation or thoughts of self-harm right away
- Seizure risk; not for anyone with a seizure history, and avoid heavy drinking
- Can raise blood pressure and heart rate; these should be checked during treatment
- Opioids will not work as expected, and using larger amounts to overcome the block can be dangerous
- Rare liver injury and angle-closure glaucoma; report yellow skin, dark urine or eye pain
- Common: nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth and diarrhea
Physicians who oversee your care
Independently licensed U.S. physicians supervise every treatment we offer.
Dr. Johnathan Chance Miller, M.D.
PhysicianTrained at Columbia and Washington University, he pairs prescriptions with practical habits around food, training and sleep.
Dr. Vanessa Niles, R.N., M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
OB-GYN, board certifiedAn OB-GYN for more than 40 years and a Fellow of ACOG, she leads women's health care, from perimenopause to PCOS.
Bupropion-naltrexone FAQs
Still deciding? The first consultation is free and takes about 5–10 minutes.
Book a free consultationIs bupropion-naltrexone just Contrave?
Contrave is the brand name for the extended-release combination of naltrexone 8 mg and bupropion 90 mg per tablet. Your clinician will prescribe the product that fits your plan.
How much does bupropion-naltrexone cost without insurance?
Plans start at $129/mo, and the first consultation is free. Your clinician confirms the full price before prescribing.
Is Contrave a GLP-1?
No. It works on brain pathways linked to appetite and reward rather than on GLP-1 receptors. That makes it an option for some people who cannot take GLP-1 medicines.
Contrave vs. semaglutide: which works better?
It is a tablet rather than an injection, and average weight loss in trials was smaller than with those injections. Your clinician can weigh the pros and cons for you.
How long does Contrave take to work?
Your clinician reviews your progress after 12 weeks on the full dose. If you have lost less than 5% of your starting weight, stopping is recommended.
Can you drink alcohol on Contrave?
Heavy drinking raises the risk of seizures, and suddenly stopping heavy drinking is also a risk. Keep alcohol low and be honest with your clinician about how much you drink.
Can I take Contrave with an antidepressant?
Possibly, but some antidepressants interact with bupropion, and MAOIs cannot be combined with it. Your clinician will check your medicine before deciding.
Can I take Contrave before surgery or with pain medicine?
Naltrexone blocks opioids. Tell every doctor and dentist you take it. Your clinician will advise on stopping it ahead of planned procedures.
Can I take Contrave if I smoke?
Smoking does not rule it out, but you cannot take it alongside another bupropion product such as Zyban. Tell your clinician about any stop-smoking medicine.
Does Contrave raise blood pressure?
It can raise blood pressure and pulse. It is not used if your blood pressure is uncontrolled, and readings should be checked during treatment.
What if I miss a dose of Contrave?
Skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time. Do not take extra tablets to catch up.
Should Contrave be taken with food?
Take it with food, but avoid high-fat meals at dose times, because fat greatly increases how much medicine is absorbed.
Who should not take Contrave?
People with uncontrolled high blood pressure, seizure disorders, eating disorders, current opioid use, recent MAOI use or pregnancy, among others. It is also not approved for anyone under 18.
Start bupropion-naltrexone with a free visit
Book a free 5–10 minute phone or video consultation. If it is safe for you, a licensed U.S. clinician prescribes bupropion-naltrexone, from $129 a month, with follow-up included.
Related treatments
References
- FDA: Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion) prescribing information
- MedlinePlus: Naltrexone and bupropion
Medically reviewed October 2026. This page is general information and not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. Read our editorial policy.
$129starting price, per month
Book a free consultation