Contrave vs Phentermine: The Efficacy and Safety of Two Popular Weight Loss Medications

Roughly 70% of Americans are overweight or obese. And this number is set to grow in the coming years, heading for around half of all women and men classified as obese. Of course, you can turn to healthy diets, exercise, and maintain healthy sleeping patterns. But, some also consider trying supplements and weight loss medication.

There are currently two popular options, including Contrave and Phentermine. These primarily help patients via appetite management. Continue reading to look at the key differences between the two drugs and evaluate their weight-loss effects.

Weight Loss Drugs

Weight loss drugs, also commonly known as anti-obesity drugs, are medications intended to assist in weight loss. There are a few ways they can do this. This includes increasing metabolism, preventing fat absorption, and suppressing appetite. You can find options available over the counter, but many are only available by prescription.

You can find multiple classes of weight loss drugs and a variety of mechanisms of action. There are even specific options for women over 40, like semaglutide and Semaglutide. What’s important to remember, though, is that these are meant to assist people intent on losing weight with a proper diet and exercise routine. They’re not meant to be the sole weight loss method and aren’t a substitute for healthy lifestyle changes.

Contrave

Contrave is a prescription-only weight loss medication with two primary active ingredients, naltrexone and bupropion. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that reduces cravings for food. Bupropion is a medication used for treating depression and assisting in smoking cessation.

Naltrexone and bupropion work together to help patients reduce cravings. They also increase feelings of fullness. This typically results in healthy weight loss over a relatively short period of time.

There are some requirements for a prescription for Contrave. Patients must be obese, overweight, or suffer from weight-related medical issues like diabetes or high blood pressure. Patients usually take it once a day. And, as with any supplement or medication for weight loss, they usually accompany Contrave with regular exercise and a low-calorie diet.

Side Effects

As with almost any medication, Contrave can result in some side effects. These are usually harmless and go away with time. The side effects of Contrave include the following:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Constipation

Contraindications

Interestingly enough, one of the primary contraindications for Contrave includes eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. These require an entirely different approach to solve. Some of the other contraindications include the following:

• Lactose intolerance
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Interactions with other medication, including birth control, antidepressants, or blood thinners
• Seizure disorders

Phentermine

Phentermine is a prescription stimulant medication. It’s very similar to amphetamines and serves as a short-term treatment for weight loss. It is primarily an anorexiant drug that focuses entirely on decreasing appetite. It’s another option for obese and overweight patients suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes.

This medication is typically taken once a day before breakfast and also works best alongside a proper diet and exercise routine. Its method of action is quite interesting. It increases the level of some neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These work to reduce cravings and hunger overall.

It also has the additional effect of increasing your heart rate and blood pressure. This can result in improved physical activity performance and higher energy levels.

Side Effects

Phentermine also comes with a few side effects. With proper medical guidance, these shouldn’t cause too much concern. Some side effects of Phentermine include:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Increased heart rate
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression

Contraindications

When it comes to Contrave vs Phentermine, Phentermine has a few more contraindications. Some of the contraindications for Phentermine include:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Glaucoma
• Cardiovascular disease
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Allergic reactions
• Interactions with other medications, including antidepressants, blood thinners, or cold and allergy medications

Contrave VS Phentermine: An Overview

While they’re pretty different in composition, they both serve as appetite suppressants. Specifically, Contrave decreases the desire to eat and increases the feeling of fullness, while Phentermine simply suppresses appetite. Both are effective weight loss treatment options, though.

If you’re looking for a short-term option for relatively quick results, you might want to opt for Phentermine. However, it’s worth considering that it has more contraindications and potential side effects. Additionally, it’s not FDA-approved for long-term use, as this can result in dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

If you prefer long-term treatment for sustained weight loss, Contrave is probably your best bet. Instead of working at a neurotransmitter level, it implements antidepressant and smoking cessation qualities. Contrave is also FDA-approved for long-term use, but make sure you’re following the guidance of a medical professional

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Aqua Vitality is Here to Help

When it comes to Contrave vs Phentermine for weight loss, they’re both great options. They’re excellent for appetite management and usually provide results in a relatively short period of time. Before deciding on either, make sure to reach out to a medical professional for guidance.

Aqua Vitality can help. We are a full-service women’s clinic that provides personal consultation and tailored programs to suit your weight-loss goals. Additionally, we provide hormone replacement and anti-aging therapies.

Get in touch for guidance on certain procedures, supplements, and weight loss medications. We’re also more than happy to answer any questions you might have!