Contrave for Obesity Treatment: Effects, Safety, and Risks Report

Introduction

Obesity is a fairly common problem, and different approaches are used to treat it. One approach is the use of drugs known as metabolic manipulators. This approach to treating obesity is based on the belief that it helps minimize the risks of cardiovascular disease and associated mortality in this population. One option for pharmacological intervention is the use of a manipulator called Contrave. It is indicated for chronic weight control in obese or overweight adults with underlying medical conditions. This report analyzes and summarizes recent studies regarding this drug and the safety of its use.

Overview

Contrave is the commercial name of a metabolic manipulator often used by patients with severe obesity. From a chemical perspective, this drug consists of two active elements: bupropion and naltrexone. This drug primarily affects the central nervous system and indirectly affects metabolic pathways associated with appetite regulation and energy balance. It modulates neurotransmitter levels by influencing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, thereby influencing appetite control and energy expenditure.

Contrave helps reduce food cravings and increase the feeling of fullness, which leads to lower calorie intake. In addition, the active elements of the drug can affect some biochemical stages in the body. Bupropion helps increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels, and naltrexone blocks opioid receptors. Moreover, consumption of Contrave may affect the production of hormones involved in appetite regulation.

Research

One of the recent studies regarding this drug is to evaluate its effects on the cardiovascular CV system. Since one of the main reasons why obese patients are prescribed pharmacological treatment is to prevent cardiovascular disease, this study is highly relevant. The combination of these two drugs in Contrave is designed to target multiple pathways involved in appetite control, energy balance, and the reward system. However, Dahlberg et al. suggested that this combination could affect other systems, including the cardiovascular system.

The study analyzed the incidence of death due to CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke in patients taking Contrave. Compared to patients not taking it. The results of the study showed that taking this drug does not have negative effects on the CV system. These findings confirm the safety of Contrave and the possibility of its further use for the treatment of obesity, as well as some mental disorders.

Diagnosis

Although studies have demonstrated the safety of using Contrave, it may still have negative effects on a patient’s well-being. The Food and Drug Administration warns that the drug may affect the patient’s mental health condition and lead to depression. Because bupropion is a strong antidepressant, it may increase the risks of suicidal thoughts and behavior, especially in patients under 24 years of age. Moreover, this component can affect the patient in the opposite way, provoking manic behavior, especially if the patient has mental disorders. Furthermore, bupropion may lead to an increased risk of seizures in patients.

In addition, Contrave is intended for long-term use, which is why its effect on the patient may have a cumulative effect. For example, it can disrupt the body’s natural metabolic processes and hormonal metabolism. As a result, the person’s metabolic system will stop working or function inadequately if the drug is eliminated. Moreover, Contrave is not a universal treatment for all obese patients. Therefore, in some cases, it may not have the expected effect due to a lack of response to the appetite-suppressant effect of the drug. This can negatively affect the emotional state of patients trying to overcome obesity and excess weight.

Some patient conditions may worsen while taking Contrave. For example, weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes can lead to critically low blood sugar levels. This can lead to negative consequences and, therefore, requires constant patient and doctor monitoring. Like other medications, Contrave or any of its ingredients may cause an allergic reaction. However, all these contraindications can be managed by a qualified healthcare provider.

Treatment

The primary treatment for side effects from Contrave is continuous monitoring and dosage adjustments based on individual patient responses. In addition to pharmacological treatment of obesity, it is recommended to use traditional hikes, such as changes in diet and increased physical activity1. Suppose there are contraindications, lack of a positive effect from taking the drug, or significant side effects. In that case, the doctor may suggest replacing Contrave with similar metabolic manipulators based on other elements. According to statistics, the use of medication in combination with lifestyle changes and constant monitoring by a doctor leads to significant weight loss and overcoming obesity.

Policy

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Contrave as one of the pharmacological approaches to treating obesity. Since 2018, the use of this drug has been legal and can be prescribed to patients if they have appropriate indications. However, using Contrave comes with certain responsibilities for both patients and physicians. This includes regular, comprehensive assessments of patients’ health status as well as ongoing medication outcomes.

References

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Bello NT. Update on drug safety evaluation of naltrexone/bupropion for the treatment of obesity. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 2019; 549-552. Web.

Dahlberg S, Chang ET, Weiss SR, Dopart P, Gould E, Ritchey ME. Use of Contrave, naltrexone with bupropion, bupropion, or naltrexone and major adverse cardiovascular events: A systematic literature review. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 2022; 3049-3067. Web.

Entinger S. Contrave [Internet]. Drugs.com [2023]. Web.

Gasmi A, Mujawdiya PK, Nehaoua A, Shanaida M, Semenova Y, Piscopo S et al. Pharmacological treatments and natural biocompounds in weight management. Pharmaceuticals, 2023 Jan; 16 2 : 212-231. Web.

Nguyen V. Contrave naltrexone/bupropion [Internet]. Medical News Today [2023]. Web.

Woodard K, Louque L, Hsia DS. Medications for the treatment of obesity in adolescents. Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2020; 11: 1-12. Web.