4 foods to avoid on Contrave

In this article:

• Foods to avoid
• What to eat
• Alcohol and Contrave
• GI side effects

In this article

• Foods to avoid
• What to eat
• Alcohol and Contrave
• GI side effects

Contrave is a brand-name prescription weight-loss medication. It has two active ingredients: bupropion (an antidepressant) and naltrexone (an opioid agonist). They work together to decrease appetite and control cravings, which helps with long-term weight management in people with obesity. However, like most weight-loss drugs, Contrave works best alongside lifestyle changes, including a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. That means avoiding certain foods—like fatty or sugary items—while prioritizing others can help make this medication more effective and minimize your side effects.

4 foods to avoid with Contrave

“I would advise any patient taking Contrave or any other weight-loss medication to maintain a balanced diet without restricting any food group,” says Ishita Prakash Patel, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology.

Still, while you don’t need to cut out entire food groups, she and Angela Ginn-Meadow, RD, CDE, a registered dietitian, and certified diabetes educator, recommend limiting a few specific foods, including:

1. Processed foods

Processed foods do nothing to help people lower their body weight or high BMI. “They contain empty calories, high amounts of refined sugars and sodium, as well as endocrine-disrupting chemicals,” says Dr. Patel.

Plenty of research suggests that regularly eating processed foods—fast food, potato chips, pastries, and other packaged snacks—is bad for your health. One meta-analysis that included more than 334,000 individuals linked ultra-processed food consumption to a heightened risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. Ultimately, these foods will undermine the efficacy of Contrave while also triggering Contrave side effects such as nausea and an upset stomach.

2. Caffeine

Bupropion, one of the active ingredients in Contrave, has the potential to cause seizures. Research shows that caffeine can also increase the risk of seizures in susceptible people. Given that, Ginn-Meadow recommends avoiding caffeine while on Contrave. That means severely limiting or cutting out caffeinated beverages such as coffee, soda, and energy drinks.

3. Fatty or greasy foods

Contrave should never be taken with a high-fat meal. Doing so can increase the risk of seizures on this medication. But even if you take a morning dose of Contrave, it’s a good idea to avoid greasy or fatty foods for the rest of the day. “Consuming foods high in fat can increase the likelihood of experiencing nausea,” explains Ginn-Meadow. 

Foods high in saturated fats are also detrimental to heart health and weight loss efforts. Ginn-Meadow recommends avoiding or limiting fried foods, high-fat meats (bacon, sausage, spare ribs, meat with visible fat marbling, and chicken or turkey skin), full-fat dairy (heavy cream, butter, and cheese), and cream-based sauces and dressings. In general, eggs are considered a healthy source of animal fat and protein, but it might be a good idea to decrease consumption while taking Contrave because of their high fat content—about 5 grams of fat per egg.

4. Foods high in refined sugar

Avoid sugary foods like candy and cake, as well as sugary drinks like soda and sweetened lattes while taking Contrave. Sugar does not directly interact with this drug, but high-sugar foods and beverages introduce empty calories into your daily diet. Research also shows a link between sugar consumption and obesity or being overweight. If you’re at the stage of taking prescription drugs for weight loss, sugary foods will reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.

What foods can I eat while taking Contrave?

Contrave is not a cure for obesity. This weight-loss medication is an adjunct treatment option alongside a healthy diet and exercise. “Consume a diet rich in protein, whole grains, fiber, fruits, vegetables, and polyunsaturated fats,” says Dr. Patel.

If an individual on Contrave has a weight-related condition such as Type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol, it’s important to understand that this drug is only for weight loss—not for other medical conditions. Fortunately, foods recommended on Contrave overlap with foods that help stabilize blood sugar. Given that, you should aim to fill your plate with a variety of whole foods, including:

• Vegetables
• Low-sugar fruits, such as strawberries
• Lean proteins, such as chicken and fish
• Whole grains, such as oatmeal and brown rice
• Low-fat dairy, such as low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese

Bottom line: Diet plays a major role in being overweight or obese. “Use Contrave as a way to help you kickstart your weight loss journey, but develop better habits so that that weight loss may be maintained naturally, without medication, if possible,” says Dr. Patel.

Can you drink alcohol while taking Contrave?

It’s a good idea to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Contrave. There are a few reasons for this:

• Potential for adverse reactions: According to the FDA drug label, there have been a few cases of neuropsychiatric events (NPEs), a term that could refer to psychosis, seizures, mood changes, and more, when mixing alcohol with Contrave. 
• Reduced alcohol tolerance: Antiobesity drugs like Contrave can make a person more sensitive to alcohol. Feeling the effects of alcohol more quickly than usual could lower inhibitions and increase cravings and sedation related to drinking.
• Increased risk of hypoglycemia: Weight-loss drugs can increase the chance of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as can excessive alcohol consumption. Combining the two increases the risk of dangerously low blood sugar.
• Higher calorie consumption: It’s important to combine Contrave use with a healthy diet. Drinking alcohol tends to stimulate appetite and result in higher consumption of empty calories.

Gastrointestinal side effects of Contrave

Like many weight loss drugs, Contrave can cause gastrointestinal side effects. The most common GI-related side effects caused by Contrave are nausea and constipation. Other common side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain

Nausea is the most common adverse reaction to Contrave, occurring in about 33% of clinical trial participants. In contrast, 19% of users reported constipation, and about 11% experienced vomiting. Contrave’s suppression of appetite can contribute to constipation if individuals start drinking less water because they feel full so quickly. Tips for managing nausea and constipation include drinking lots of water and eating small portions of bland foods (such as crackers or dry toast) until you feel well enough to tackle a whole meal.

“Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects on the medication, as with any other medication,” says Dr. Patel. The risk of side effects, including serious side effects, varies depending on dosage, other health conditions, and drug interactions with other medications. A healthcare professional can offer medical advice on the best over-the-counter medications, supplements, or remedies for gastrointestinal discomfort, or other Contrave side effects.

Finally, Contrave is not right for everyone. Breastfeeding mothers and those with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia) should not take Contrave. It’s important to take Contrave under the guidance of a healthcare provider who understands a patient’s medical history, other conditions, and other medications.