Contrave Weight-Loss Medication in New Jersey | WLWC
Managing weight can be difficult when hunger and food cravings continue despite changes in eating habits and physical activity. For eligible adults, Contrave may provide additional support as part of a medically supervised weight-management plan.
At the Weight Loss and Wellness Center, Dr. Saniea F. Majid, MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABOM, reviews your BMI, health history, medications, blood pressure, previous weight-loss efforts, and goals before determining whether Contrave is appropriate. Treatment includes progress monitoring, nutrition and activity guidance, and regular follow-up.
Consultations and continued care are available through WLWC locations in Clifton, Bridgewater, Springfield, and Rahway.
What is Contrave?
Contrave is an oral, extended-release prescription medication that combines two active ingredients: naltrexone and bupropion. Each tablet contains 8 mg of naltrexone hydrochloride and 90 mg of bupropion hydrochloride.
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, while bupropion is an aminoketone antidepressant. The exact way the combination causes weight loss is not fully understood, but it affects brain pathways involved in appetite and the reward response associated with food. This may help reduce hunger, cravings, and the urge to eat.
Contrave is approved for long-term weight management in adults with obesity or adults with overweight who also have at least one weight-related health condition. It must be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Contrave is not a GLP-1 medication and is not injected. Although bupropion is used in some antidepressant and smoking-cessation medicines, Contrave is not approved to treat depression or help people stop smoking.
How Contrave May Support Weight Loss
Learn how Contrave may support appetite control and weight management alongside nutrition, activity, and medical follow-up.
Reduced Hunger
May help reduce hunger by affecting brain pathways involved in appetite.
Craving Control
May reduce food cravings and reward-driven urges to eat.
Oral Treatment
Taken by mouth as an extended-release tablet, not an injection.
Gradual Dosing
The dose increases over four weeks to help the body adjust.
Response Review
Response is reviewed after 12 weeks at the maintenance dose.
Medical Support
Treatment includes monitoring, nutrition guidance, and follow-up.
Who May Be a Candidate for Contrave?
Contrave may be appropriate for selected adults who meet its BMI and health requirements and need additional support with hunger, cravings, or weight management. You may be a candidate if you meet the following criteria:
You are an adult with a BMI of 30 or higher
You have a BMI of 27 or higher with a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or abnormal cholesterol levels
Previous weight-loss efforts have not produced sufficient or lasting results
Your medical history and current medications allow Contrave to be used safely
You are ready to follow a reduced-calorie diet, increase physical activity, and attend regular follow-up appointments
Meeting these criteria does not automatically mean Contrave is right for you. Dr. Majid also reviews your blood pressure, seizure risk, mental health, eating-disorder history, opioid or alcohol use, medications, and kidney or liver health. Pregnancy plans are also discussed. If Contrave is unsuitable, WLWC may recommend another medication, an endoscopic procedure, bariatric surgery, or medically supervised weight management.
Health Conditions
Conditions Weight Loss May Improve
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Obstructive sleep apnea
Fatty liver disease
Obesity-related joint strain
Improvement is not guaranteed and varies according to the amount of weight lost, condition severity, current treatment, and long-term follow-up. Contrave does not replace ongoing medical care. Continue prescribed medications, CPAP therapy, and other treatments unless the clinician managing your condition recommends a change.
What to Expect Before and
During Contrave Treatment
Contrave treatment includes a medical assessment, gradual dose increase, side-effect monitoring, and a formal review after 12 weeks at the maintenance dose.
Dr. Majid reviews your weight, BMI, medical history, weight-related conditions, previous treatments, and goals. Your blood pressure and pulse should be checked before treatment begins.
Tell the WLWC team if you have or previously had:
- Seizures, head injury, or a brain or spinal condition
- Depression, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health concerns
- Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or another eating disorder
- High blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke
- Kidney or liver disease
- Diabetes treated with insulin or another glucose-lowering medication
- Current or recent opioid use
- Heavy alcohol use or plans to stop drinking suddenly
- Pregnancy, pregnancy plans, or breastfeeding
Bring a complete list of prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements to your consultation.
WLWC monitors your weight, blood pressure, heart rate, side effects, mood, and response to treatment. Tell the team promptly about new or worsening symptoms.
Because naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, inform any clinician treating you that you take Contrave, particularly before surgery or when treatment for pain, coughing, or diarrhea is needed.
Do not change the dose, stop another medication suddenly, or combine Contrave with another weight-loss medicine unless your prescriber instructs you to do so.
How to Take Contrave
The dosage is gradually increased during the first four weeks. Follow the schedule prescribed for you, as some patients may require a different or lower dosage.
Week 1
Take one tablet
in the morning.
Week 2
Take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
Week 3
Take two tablets in the morning and one in the evening.
Week 4+
Take two tablets in the morning and two in the evening, if prescribed.
Swallow each extended-release tablet whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew it because doing so can release the medication too quickly and increase seizure risk.Contrave may be taken with meals, but it should not be taken with a high-fat meal because this can increase medication exposure. If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take an additional dose.People with certain kidney or liver conditions may require a lower maximum dose. Follow the individualized instructions provided by your prescriber.
Why Choose WLWC for Contrave Weight-Loss Medication in NJ?
Contrave Weight-Loss Medication is one of the most complex bariatric procedures and requires advanced surgical expertise, careful patient selection and lifelong nutritional follow-up. At the Weight Loss and Wellness Center, Dr. Majid and her team help patients understand whether the procedure aligns with their health needs, weight-loss goals and ability to make long-term dietary changes.
Personalized Treatment Planning
Every plan begins with a careful review of the patient’s medical history, lifestyle, health concerns, previous weight-loss efforts and goals so Dr. Majid can recommend the most appropriate option.
Comprehensive Weight-Loss Care
WLWC offers comprehensive obesity care under one roof, including surgical, endoscopic and medical weight-loss options, nutritional counselling and body contouring, so care can adapt as patients’ needs change.
Long-Term Support After Treatment
Support continues beyond treatment through follow-up care, nutritional counselling, online support groups and WLWC’s Back on Track programme for patients who need help after weight regain.
Four Convenient NJ Locations
With offices in Clifton, Bridgewater, Springfield and Rahway, WLWC makes consultations and follow-up care more accessible to patients across New Jersey.
Advanced Surgical Expertise
Dr. Majid is a board-certified bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist, fellowship-trained in minimally invasive, bariatric and robotic surgery, a published researcher, past president of the New Jersey chapter of ASMBS, with 15+ years’ experience.
Insurance and Financing Support
Coverage varies by plan. WLWC works with several major insurance carriers and offers self-pay and financing options through Cherry and CareCredit. The team helps patients understand their options.
If you are considering Contrave Weight-Loss Medication and want to know whether it is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Majid at the Weight Loss and Wellness Center. With locations in Clifton, Bridgewater, Springfield and Rahway, WLWC provides personalised bariatric care and ongoing support for patients across New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Contrave a GLP-1 medication?
No. Contrave is an oral combination of naltrexone and bupropion. It does not work through the GLP-1 pathway and is not an injectable medication.
When will my response to Contrave be reviewed?
Your response should be reviewed after 12 weeks at the maintenance dose. With the standard four-week dose escalation, this generally occurs around week 16 after starting treatment.
Can I take Contrave with food?
Contrave may be taken with meals, but it should not be taken with a high-fat meal because this can increase the amount of medication absorbed.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose or take an additional tablet.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Contrave?
Discuss alcohol use with your prescriber. Excessive alcohol and suddenly stopping heavy alcohol use may increase seizure risk. Do not abruptly stop heavy drinking without medical guidance.
Can I use opioid pain medicine while taking Contrave?
Contrave should not be used with opioid medicines, including some pain, cough, cold, and diarrhea treatments. Patients previously dependent on short-acting opioids generally need to be opioid-free for at least 7 to 10 days. Those transitioning from methadone or buprenorphine may need up to two weeks.
Can I take Contrave with another bupropion-containing medicine?
No. Taking Contrave with another bupropion-containing medicine is contraindicated because it can increase seizure risk.
Can Contrave be combined with another weight-loss medication?
Do not combine Contrave with another prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight-loss product unless your prescriber specifically recommends and monitors the combination.
Can I take Contrave during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Contrave should be discontinued if pregnancy occurs because weight loss provides no benefit during pregnancy and may harm the fetus. If you are breastfeeding, discuss the potential benefits and risks with your healthcare professional.
Does insurance cover Contrave consultations and medication?
Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by insurance plan and pharmacy benefit. WLWC can help you understand available payment or financing options. Consultations and follow-up care are available in Clifton, Bridgewater, Springfield, and Rahway.