The drug called "Contrave" is being hyped to be the magic pill in weight loss. It recently successfully passed Phase III trial and is up (or will be very soon) for the FDA approval as a prescription medicine. It is an extended release version of a combination of two well-known drugs, Naltrexone and Bupropion (AKA Wellbutrin, AKA Zyban). As many here may know, Zyban is by far the most effective and safe medicine prescribed for smoking cessation and Wellbutrin is a somewhat inefficient but very safe antidepressant. Apparently, people on all versions of Bupripion tend to lose weight in the beginning but then gain it again. It is suggested that when Naltrexon is added to the mix, it suppresses cravings for food.

I think it can be said that this is a case of TSM or pharmacological extinction - you eat while taking Naltrexon to help you deal with the urges to eat! Interestingly, the company that makes Contrave suggests that it is an extended release version of both that is critical for the success of Contrave.
Maybe, just maybe it means people here will be better off taking NAL in 25 mg portions during the drinking session (?).

Just google "contrave" and read away. It should be easy to find the clinical trial reports. It's a pity it seems no one ever tried combination of naltrexone and wellbutrin on alcoholic patients. Maybe soon?

Yes, this is interesting. But what about the fact that we must continue drinking while on nal? Those who are taking it for eating problems will also be told to eat just as much or more, no? Is that effecting with eating? I have eating problems too - freaked out about gaining, so constantly diet and deny myself all the lovely things I like to eat - this is a psychological problem connected with being a child of alcoholics I've been told - controlling weight is sometimes ALL we can control . I've noticed just taking Nal for drinking lessens my appetite.

From all the reading I've done on eating issues, the program that makes the most sense is very low carb. There are good calories and bad calories. IMO eating too many carbs of the wrong kind plays a huge role in weight gain. Too bad people are again looking for a magic pill instead of watching the kinds of food they eat. I hope I'm not coming across as unsympathetic because I'm very very in tune with those with weight issues - they are our brothers and sisters in the war against compulsions

The best pills I have found in the weight battle are from a company called New Nordic out of Europe. They are all natural and don't interfere with my Naltrexone stuff. I have to be extremely careful with medications and diet supplements because of a family history of heart problems and blood pressure issues. Nothing I have tried seems to work better than those from this company because they don't contain anything that increases the heart rate. If this Contrave does not affect the heart rate then it would be ok for me. I suffer from belly fat issues but the rest of me is fine. That is the worst kind of fat especially if your a woman so it is important that I get that belly off!!! So I am interested.

I'm in the same boat, potato with the belly fat. It's obviously genetic to have fat in certain places. My mother had the same thing - she has Alzheimer's and to this day when she has a lucid moment (rare) she says "I must do something about this pot" and she's 89!!!

The ONLY thing I have found that gets rid of that fat site is low low carbs. As soon as I start eating bread and potatoes it comes back. I'm very slim everywhere else. My daughter tries to make me feel better by saying that belly fat is the easiest to hide. But I'm getting tired of wearing baggy shirts, and I'm red in the face from sucking in my gut!!!

Last year when I started the Nal I really lost weight. I am on Wellbutrin (Budeprion generic) 300mg daily. Contrave's best ratio was rated as 400mg Budeprion + 37.5mg Naltrexone. What I found was that food tasted good, but I just couldn't eat as much. Coffee especially to date, even though I drink it just sucks. I drink that out of habit today & in my past I was almost a coffee snob, Gevalia, Starbucks, etc. Since I did my original quit with the Nal last year I'd lost 25 pounds and have kept it off in spite of drinking. I do run though when I didn't as a heavy drinker. Contrave just doesn't seem to be making any headway though in the FDA as far as I know. But my combo seems to be very effective in reduction of craving, reduced enjoyment of being drunk, not liking overeating and overcoming serious depression as well as taming mild ADHD.

This is interesting and pertinent info for me. I am thinking of starting to take Wellbutrin to help my depression and I was wondering about the combo with the Nal and AL if adding the Wellbutrin could possibly help my moods.
Sound like it may be a compatible blend....? Any input will be appreciated, thanks

I take welbutrin for smoking cessation. I just recently started up again. At first w/ the nal it seemed to be less effective. I wasn't trying very hard w/ smoking at that time though, concentrating on drinking. I have been focusing on it ~1.5 weeks now and it seems like the cravings for smoke are going down. Maybe the combo will be effective. I have quit smoking on zyban before then had a trigger after 9 mos and, you all know my pain. Maybe nal will help w/ extinction of smoking, I know it is supposed to be different receptors but who knows.

BGH, I hear ya. I am also tired of wearing baggy shirts. Love what you said about 89 year old grandma still wanting to lose her pot! I see pictures of myself and am surprised that I look quite slim when I know about the stupid belly. Low low carbs I am trying but it is hard when I am in a hurry. Everything at school is bread or sugar!! No wonder so many young people struggle with weight. I am back in college changing careers. I can't believe the poor options there. Nal is awesome though but I don't lose any weight it has stayed the same over a year. Plus it is hard to never have pasta, pizza or sandwiches.

My friend is using Welbutrin exclusively and no Nal. When I told him my story and about TSM, he was an instant believer. Told him I'd keep him posted....

He claims that Welbutrin alone is doing wonders for him...

I must share this with him.....

As I've already posted a few times before, Craving was the first to post a link to a study confirming the weight loss with the Nal/Wellbutrin combo:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_h ... n29416433/

It explains perfectly my abrupt 20 pound loss after starting Nal (I've been on Wellbutrin for years). I've not found I enjoy food any less. I haven't lost any additional weight (don't really need to), and it has stayed off for almost 18 months.

What I wish is that the 'Naltrexone' could be known as a medication prescribed for weight loss, so the alcohol stigma wouldn't be there. So many are paraniod about it being reported on their medical records, but if Nal could be associated with weight loss, or addictive cravings in general, then the specific alcohol connection might go away. Maybe someday...