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Meet Brittney: Taking Pride in Hard Work

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My name is Brittney. I live in and work for a small town in New Hampshire. I’m a 40-year-old mom of four children (including a set of twins), a fur mom to a couple of dogs, and some cats. We’re an outdoorsy family that loves to kayak and swim—when my children aren’t participating in competitive sports!
 
I’ve always been overweight. I remember as a young girl my brother making fun of me mercilessly one summer, calling me a whale when I wore a black swimsuit. I used to get told by friends and family, “Oh, you’d be so pretty if you lost weight!” So I was always on a diet and trying to lose weight.
 
Later I went through a divorce and during this time, I did manage to lose some weight through a program but wasn’t at a “healthy” weight for my height. Not to mention I had a bad fall and hurt my hip, which made it challenging to get exercise, and the weight just started to pile back on. I felt defeated as I was just getting into a routine and building habits only to have this injury stop my progress.
 
Every time I went to see my doctor we would chat about my weight. After I expressed my frustration with trying all these diets and trying to move more over the years, they originally prescribed me a weight loss injectable medication, but when I went to fill it I was shocked by the price tag. I was upset because I really wanted to try the injectable product, but it was not something I could afford to pay each month. I went back to my doctor to talk about alternatives, which is when he prescribed me CONTRAVE.
 
As I started taking CONTRAVE I was doing some research and joining support communities when I discovered the CONTRAVE website. I was able to learn so much from the website including that there was a more affordable option available. So, I went back to my doctor so I could get my prescription moved over to one of the pharmacies in the CurAccess Program so I could get my CONTRAVE for $99 a month.
 
As I began to lose weight on CONTRAVE I started to make some big shifts in my exercise habits. I started adding in walks whenever I could. At first it was just at lunch time, and before I knew it I was walking upwards of 2 miles a day. This was so strange considering I used to HATE exercising and even walking for 30 minutes used be such a chore. In addition to walking, I now work out consistently and it’s a huge part of my routine. I have even started going to the gym to lift weights and run— a complete 360 from the person I was before CONTRAVE.
 
I also created this routine I called 30-30-30, which was drinking a shake with 30g of protein, taking my CONTRAVE within 30 minutes of waking up, and then doing 30 minutes of exercise. This little ritual really helped me stay on track as I started the medication and just became a second nature for me to where I still follow it to this day.
 
Before CONTRAVE I was always snacking on candy and chocolates, but now I rarely have cravings for sweets. I’ve been good about swapping out processed foods for something low-processed and clean. I have also made a big emphasis to eat meals and snacks with a high protein content.
 
Since I’ve lost weight and become healthier, I get a lot of people reaching out to me about it and asking how I did it. Lots of people assumed I “took the easy way out” with an injectable, but in reality I’ve put in LOTS of hard work to get to where I am today. I’m incredibly proud of all my lifestyle and diet changes I’ve made in addition to taking CONTRAVE. 
 
Recently, I had a check-in appointment with my doctor and when he saw my progress, he said, “Wow.” Then he looks at me and asks, “How does it feel knowing you did all that work?” I hadn’t yet been asked that during my journey. I thought about it for a moment and, smiling, replied, “Honestly, it feels good.” 
 
I’m excited to continue to put in the hard work so much that I’m actually looking into competing in a bodybuilding show in the near future!
 

*Disclaimer: Real patient taking CONTRAVE at the time of their interview. Individual results may vary. Story and photo used with permission.

 

CON-2334-001 03/25
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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 indicated 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:
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.