Belviq vs. Contrave

• Are Belviq and Contrave the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Belviq?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Contrave?
• What Is Belviq?
• What Is Contrave?
• What Drugs Interact with Belviq?
• What Drugs Interact with Contrave?
• How Should Belviq Be Taken?
• How Should Contrave Be Taken?

Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) and Contrave (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) are used for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Belviq and Contrave belong to different drug classes. Belviq is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist and Contrave is a combination of an opioid antagonist and an antidepressant.

Common side effects of Belviq include:

• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
• mental problems,
• slow heartbeat,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• feeling tired,
• fatigue,
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• cough,
• back pain,
• constipation,
• painful erections,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• urinary tract infection,
• muscle pain,
• sore throat, or
• rash.

Common side effects of Contrave include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• dry mouth,
• anxiety,
• hot flashes,
• fatigue,
• tremor,
• abdominal pain,
• flu symptoms,
• ringing in the ears,
• urinary tract infection,
• high blood pressure,
• increased sweating,
• changes in taste,
• rash,
• muscle strain,
• palpitations,
• problems with attention,
• lightheadedness, or
• fainting.

Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Belviq is also approved for use by adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Contrave (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) Extended-release is a combination of an opioid antagonist and an antidepressant used as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of: 30 kg/m² or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia).

Belviq may interact with antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), triptans, bupropion, dextromethorphan, or St. John's Wort. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Contrave may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), opioid-containing medicines (such as cough and cold remedies, antidiarrheal drugs, and opioid analgesics), antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, ritonavir, lopinavir, efavirenz, theophylline, corticosteroids, levodopa, amantadine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Contrave is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Belviq is taken orally. The recommended dosage of Belviq is one 10mg tablets taken twice per day. Belviq should be discontinued if 5% weight loss is not achieved by week 12 of therapy.

Contrave is started at a low dose and gradually increased. A total daily dosage of two Contrave 8 mg/90 mg tablets twice daily (32 mg/360 mg) is reached at the start of Week 4.