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Speak one-on-one with a licensed healthcare professional*

*If prescribed CONTRAVE, a $45 doctor consult fee is applied.

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Pay no more than $99 for CONTRAVE and have it delivered to your home

If you have more questions, please visit our FAQs page.

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This online service is not available to Louisiana residents.

Don’t Get Sweet Talked by Hidden Sugars

Sugar is sneaky. We work hard to actively cut out sugar-laden sweet treats from our diets when we’re trying to lose weight, only to discover that many of the healthy foods we substituted for them may be just as bad.

Some examples of “healthy” foods that often contain more sugar than you may think include:

  • Store-bought smoothies
  • Gummy vitamins and supplements
  • Store-bought juices (yes, even the green ones)
  • Dried fruit
  • Protein bars and cookies 

Staying one step ahead of hidden sugar can be as simple as consistently checking the nutrition information of any pre-packaged “healthy” food you purchase at the store. 

Added Sugar Adds Up
Food brands want you to purchase their products, so they’ll often add sugar to make their products taste better, look better, or last longer. Adding sugar to a food product contributes to its taste, color, texture, and even shelf life. 

We may be biologically wired to love the stuff, but consuming too much sugar can have negative health effects. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25g (6 tsp) of added sugar a day for women and 36g (9 tsp) a day for men. However, the reality is Americans consume much more—an average of more than 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day. That's over 1/3 of a cup and can add up to nearly 300 calories from added sugar.

Sugar Has Many Names—And We Love Them All
Still, even a glance at the nutrition label may allow sugar to go unseen. Added sugar can be referred to by one of at least 60 names, including raw sugar, cane sugar, brown sugar, honey, agave, corn syrup, rice syrup, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and dextrose. Despite their varying names, the body accepts them all as sources of energy.

Common Added Sugar Culprits 
Added sugar has really made its home in the modern-day grocery store. You may (or may not) be surprised to find added sugar in:

  • Cereal: The classic American myth of starting the day with a bowl of cereal and milk is strong, but with all that added sugar it's not one that holds up to modern healthy eating practices.
  • Yogurt: Yogurt naturally has some sugars from the milk used to create it, but many brands package it alongside added sugars or fruit syrups. Looks specifically for versions without any added sugar.
  • Condiments: Ketchup is the classic sugary villain, but many packaged sauces and dressings contain added sugar.
  • Beverages: Sodas, sweetened lattes, and sports drinks all include added sugar. Luckily, you can get sugar-free versions of most of these.
  • Bread: White bread can have shockingly high levels of added sugar.

    Many of these foods are ones that people try to cut back on when trying to lose weight. However, substituting them for “healthy” foods that also contain added sugar is a potential pitfall on your healthy eating journey.

    Cutting Back on Hidden Sugar
    The best way to reduce added sugars from your diet is to avoid processed foods altogether. Making some of the above foods, such as smoothies, juices, and protein bars, at home can help you adjust the recipe to reduce sugar or even substitute an artificial sweetener.

    However, part of the appeal of such foods is their convenience, so there’s no need to write off granola bars entirely. Instead, check the nutrition information of a couple of different brands and see which ones contain more or less added sugar. 

    You’ll find some healthy brands may use natural sugar, such as those found in fruit, to sweeten their products. Other brands geared towards those eating a lower-carb diet may use artificial sweeteners or other natural sugar substitutes. 

    As with most things in a healthy lifestyle, it really is all about balance. Worry less about enjoying a homemade cookie during the holidays and more about being on guard when grocery shopping. Staying informed about what’s in the foods you buy can be your greatest tool to keep unwanted added sugar at bay.

 

CON-1822-001 11-23

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is CONTRAVE?
See More

CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects including:
Suicidal thoughts or actions: One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion. Bupropion has caused some people to have suicidal thoughts or actions or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medicines used to treat depression. Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. If you already have depression or other mental illnesses, taking bupropion may cause it to get worse, especially within the first few months of treatment.

CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help some adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
See More

CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects including:
Suicidal thoughts or actions: One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion. Bupropion has caused some people to have suicidal thoughts or actions or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medicines used to treat depression. Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. If you already have depression or other mental illnesses, taking bupropion may cause it to get worse, especially within the first few months of treatment.

What is CONTRAVE?
See More

CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help some adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is CONTRAVE?
See Less

CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects including:
Suicidal thoughts or actions: One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion. Bupropion has caused some people to have suicidal thoughts or actions or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medicines used to treat depression. Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. If you already have depression or other mental illnesses, taking bupropion may cause it to get worse, especially within the first few months of treatment.

While taking CONTRAVE, you or your family members should pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when you start taking CONTRAVE or when your dose changes.

Stop taking CONTRAVE and call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family members notice any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempts to commit suicide; depression; anxiety; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; irritability; aggression, anger, or violence; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking; other unusual changes in behavior or mood; trouble sleeping.

CONTRAVE is not approved for use in children under the age of 18.

Do not take CONTRAVE if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; have or have had seizures; use other medicines that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN, WELLBUTRIN SR, WELLBUTRIN XL, APLENZIN and ZYBAN; have or have had an eating disorder called anorexia or bulimia; are dependent on opioid pain medicines or use medicines to help stop taking opioids, or are in opiate withdrawal; drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, or use medicines called sedatives (these make you sleepy), benzodiazepines, or anti‐seizure medicines and stop using them all of a sudden; are taking or have taken medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the past 14 days; or are allergic to any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you have: depression or other mental illnesses; attempted suicide; seizures; head injury; tumor or infection of brain or spine; low blood sugar or low sodium; liver or kidney problems; high blood pressure; heart attack, heart problems, or stroke; eating disorder; drinking a lot of alcohol; prescription medicine or street drug abuse; are 65 or older; diabetes; pregnant or planning to become pregnant; or breastfeeding.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

CONTRAVE may cause serious side effects, including:
  • Seizures. There is a risk of having a seizure when you take CONTRAVE. The risk of seizure is higher in people who take higher doses of CONTRAVE, have certain medical conditions, or take CONTRAVE with certain other medicines. Do not take any other medicines while you are taking CONTRAVE unless your healthcare provider has said it is okay to take them. If you have a seizure while taking CONTRAVE, stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider right away.
  • Risk of opioid overdose. Do not take large amounts of opioids, including opioid-containing medicines, such as heroin or prescription pain pills, to try to overcome the opioid-blocking effects of naltrexone. This can lead to serious injury, coma, or death.

    Get emergency medical help right away if you take opioids and you:

    • have trouble breathing
    • become very drowsy with slowed breathing
    • have slow, shallow breathing
    • feel faint, very dizzy, confused, or have unusual symptoms
  • Sudden opioid withdrawal. People who take CONTRAVE must not use any type of opioid including street drugs, prescription pain medicines, cough, cold, or diarrhea medicines that contain opioids, or opioid dependence treatments, for at least 7 to 10 days before starting CONTRAVE. Using opioids in the 7 to 10 days before you start taking CONTRAVE may cause you to suddenly have symptoms of opioid withdrawal when you take it. Sudden opioid withdrawal can be severe, and you may need to go to the hospital. Tell your healthcare provider you are taking CONTRAVE before a medical procedure or surgery.
  • Severe allergic reactions. Stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
  • Increases in blood pressure or heart rate. Some people may get high blood pressure or have a higher heart rate when taking CONTRAVE. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure and heart rate before you start taking, and while you take CONTRAVE.
  • Liver damage or hepatitis. Stop taking CONTRAVE and tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems: stomach area pain lasting more than a few days, dark urine, yellowing of the whites of your eyes, or tiredness. Your healthcare provider may need to stop treating you with CONTRAVE if you get signs or symptoms of a serious liver problem.
  • Manic episodes. Bupropion can cause some people who were manic or depressed in the past to become manic or depressed again.
  • Visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma). Signs and symptoms may include: eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around the eye. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you are at risk for angle‐closure glaucoma and to get treatment to prevent it if you are at risk.
  • Increased risk of low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also take medicines to treat their diabetes (such as insulin or sulfonylureas). You should check your blood sugar before you start taking CONTRAVE and while you take CONTRAVE.

The most common side effects of CONTRAVE include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, and diarrhea. These are not all of the possible side effects of CONTRAVE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is CONTRAVE?

CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help some adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off.

CONTRAVE should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

It is not known if CONTRAVE changes your risk of heart problems or stroke or of death due to heart problems or stroke.

It is not known if CONTRAVE is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight-loss products.

CONTRAVE is not approved to treat depression or other mental illnesses, or to help people quit smoking (smoking cessation).

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for CONTRAVE.