Contrave ER (naltrexone/bupropion ER) Tablets

Contrave ER 8 90mg tablets combine naltrexone and bupropion in an extended-release medicine used for chronic weight management with diet and activity. CanadianInsulin is a prescription referral platform, and this page summarizes labeled use and handling details. Ships from Canada to US; prescriptions may be coordinated for cash-pay access without insurance.

What Contrave ER 8 90mg tablets Are and How They Work

Contrave ER is a fixed-dose combination of two medicines: naltrexone (an opioid antagonist (opioid blocker)) and bupropion (an aminoketone antidepressant also used for smoking cessation in other products). The tablet is extended-release (ER), meaning it is designed to release medication over time rather than all at once. This formulation is intended for long-term weight management when used alongside reduced-calorie eating patterns and increased physical activity.

The exact way the combination supports weight management is not fully understood. Available labeling describes effects on central pathways involved in appetite regulation and reward-driven eating. In plain terms, the medicine may help some people feel less hungry and have fewer food cravings. It is not the same as injectable GLP-1 therapies, and it does not replace nutrition or movement plans used for weight-related care.

Who It’s For

This therapy is indicated for chronic weight management in adults who meet body mass index (BMI) criteria, typically either obesity or overweight with weight-related medical conditions. Eligibility and ongoing monitoring are determined by a prescriber using a full medical history and current medication list. For background on common eligibility terms and care pathways, browse the Obesity and Overweight hubs or the Weight Management category list.

Contrave ER 8 90mg tablets are not appropriate for everyone. Contraindications (reasons not to use) include seizure disorders, current or past eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia, uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), and use of other bupropion-containing products. The medicine also should not be used with chronic opioid therapy or during acute opioid withdrawal. Pregnancy is another key consideration because weight-loss treatment is generally not recommended during pregnancy.

• Intended use: chronic weight management support
• Not for: uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Not for: seizure disorder history
• Not for: opioid dependence treatment
• Not for: pregnancy-related weight loss

Dosage and Usage

Dosing for this medicine follows a gradual titration (slow dose increase) schedule to improve tolerability. Many regimens start with a lower number of tablets and increase weekly until a maintenance dose is reached, but the exact schedule should match the prescriber’s directions and the product label. Tablets are swallowed whole, and they should not be crushed, split, or chewed because that can change the release pattern.

Prescriptions may be confirmed with the prescriber when required. Practical instructions often include taking doses at consistent times and avoiding high-fat meals, which can affect exposure to bupropion and may increase risk of adverse effects. If a dose is missed, labeling typically advises not doubling up; instead, the next scheduled dose is taken as directed.

Typical Titration (Slow Dose Increase)

The table below reflects a commonly referenced label-based escalation for the naltrexone/bupropion ER combination. It is provided as a general framework for understanding how the dose can be increased over several weeks. Individual directions may differ based on tolerability, blood pressure, other medicines, and clinical follow-up. For additional context on schedules and precautions, see the guide Understanding Contrave Dosage.

Contrave ER 8 90mg tablets contain bupropion, which carries a dose-related seizure risk. For that reason, maximum daily doses should not be exceeded, and prescribers generally review other seizure-threshold–lowering factors such as heavy alcohol use, abrupt sedative withdrawal, or interacting medications.

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as an extended-release oral tablet that contains naltrexone 8 mg and bupropion 90 mg per tablet. You may also see it written as Contrave extended-release 8 mg/90 mg tablets or as naltrexone/bupropion ER 8 mg/90 mg tablets. The ER design is intended to provide a controlled release profile compared with immediate-release forms of the individual ingredients.

Contrave ER 8 90mg tablets may be dispensed in different pack sizes depending on the pharmacy and the intended duration of therapy. Some listings reference multi-tablet bottles such as a 120-count supply, but the exact count on hand can vary across dispensing partners. When comparing supplies, the most useful details are the strength per tablet and the total number of tablets dispensed, since those determine how long the prescription lasts at a given labeled regimen.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature and keep them protected from moisture and heat. Many tablet products are best kept in their original container with the cap tightly closed, especially if the bottle includes a desiccant. As with other prescription medicines, storage should be secure and out of reach of children and pets.

For travel, carrying tablets in the labeled pharmacy container helps with identification and can reduce confusion at security checkpoints. Temperature swings in cars, checked luggage, or near windows can be significant, so hand-carrying is often preferred. If travel across time zones affects dosing times, the prescriber or pharmacist can clarify how to maintain the intended schedule without changing the total daily amount.

Quick tip: Keep a current medication list with the travel bag for pharmacy verification.

Side Effects and Safety

Like many centrally acting medicines, this treatment can cause side effects that are most noticeable during dose escalation. Commonly reported effects include nausea, constipation, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and trouble sleeping. Some people also report anxiety or jitteriness. Reviewing expectations in advance can help with planning around work, driving, and sleep routines.

Serious risks are less common but require clear awareness. Bupropion has a boxed warning related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain age groups, and mood changes should be discussed promptly with a healthcare professional. Seizures are a key safety concern, especially at higher total daily bupropion doses or when combined with other seizure-threshold–lowering factors. Blood pressure and heart rate can increase, so monitoring matters during titration and maintenance. For a structured overview, see Contrave Side Effects.

Contrave ER 8 90mg tablets also contain naltrexone, which can affect opioid pain control and can precipitate withdrawal in people who are opioid-dependent. Liver-related symptoms (such as persistent abdominal pain, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin/eyes) should be treated as urgent warning signs. Allergic reactions and angle-closure glaucoma (a sudden eye-pressure rise) are additional rare but important considerations.

Why it matters: Several risks relate to other medicines and medical history, so accurate medication lists are essential.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Drug interactions can be clinically significant because the product combines an opioid blocker and an antidepressant-class agent. Opioids are the most important interaction category: people taking opioid analgesics, opioid cough medicines, or opioid-containing combination products generally cannot use naltrexone/bupropion ER safely. A washout period may be needed before starting, and this should be directed by a prescriber. More detail on alcohol-related considerations is summarized in Contrave And Alcohol.

Other notable cautions include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which should not be combined with bupropion due to risk of serious reactions. Some medicines can change bupropion levels (for example, certain CYP2B6 inhibitors or inducers), while bupropion can raise levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6. Additional risk can occur with other agents that lower the seizure threshold, including some antipsychotics, systemic steroids, and stimulants. Contrave ER 8 90mg tablets should be reviewed against the full medication list at each refill, including over-the-counter products and supplements.

Compare With Alternatives

Weight management medications differ in mechanism, route, and key safety limitations. Some options work through gut hormones that affect appetite and glucose regulation, while others act mainly in the central nervous system. A prescriber may consider factors such as blood pressure, psychiatric history, diabetes status, current medications (especially opioids), and patient preference for tablets versus injections.

Examples of alternatives include GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual incretin therapies. Semaglutide is available in an obesity-indicated injectable form, and tirzepatide is another injectable option used in weight-related care. For product information within these categories, see Wegovy and Zepbound. For broader comparisons and non-promotional background, the resources Contrave Vs Wegovy and Tirzepatide Vs Semaglutide summarize common discussion points clinicians review.

Pricing and Access

Access depends on prescription requirements, clinical appropriateness, and whether coverage is available through private or public plans. Some people use cash-pay pathways when coverage is limited, and documentation requirements can vary by medication and destination rules. Dispensing is handled by licensed Canadian pharmacies. US shipping from Canada may be available for eligible orders once the prescription is confirmed and processed.

When comparing Contrave ER 8 90mg tablets across sources, focus on the strength, the quantity dispensed, and the services included (such as prescription validation steps). Promotional programs may change over time; site-listed options, when available, are collected on the Promotions page. Administrative questions are also easier to resolve when the prescriber’s contact information is current and the medication list is up to date.

Authoritative Sources

For official prescribing and safety details, consult regulator and reference sources:

• FDA prescribing information for Contrave
• MedlinePlus drug information: naltrexone and bupropion

To submit an order request after approval, checkout options may include prompt, express, cold-chain shipping.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.