Losing weight is sometimes not as easy as we think. No matter how much we control our diet and exercise, sometimes we don't get the results we want. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a special medicine to help you. Today we are going to talk about one such medicine that helps in the weight loss process.
What kind of medicine is this?
The medicine we are talking about today contains a combination of two drugs , Bupropion and Naltrexone . Simply put, this is a pill made by combining two drugs. It can be found in Sri Lanka and abroad under the brand name Contrave .
Its main function is to help you lose weight, along with a reduced-calorie diet and proper exercise. Also, this medicine helps you maintain the weight you have lost and not gain it back. But remember, this is not just a magic weight loss pill. It is just something that will give you a good support in your efforts.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this medication, it is extremely important to give your doctor a complete picture of your health condition. This is because using this medication with certain medical conditions can be risky. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to inform your doctor.
| Type of conditions | Description (Tell the doctor if any of these apply) |
|---|---|
| Mental health problems | Depression, suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts (yourself or a family member), other mental illnesses. |
| Eating disorders | Conditions such as anorexia or bulimia. |
| Heart disease and blood pressure | High blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat. |
| Brain and nervous system | Seizures, head injuries, tumors or infections in the brain or spinal cord. |
| Other medical conditions | Diabetes, glaucoma, kidney disease, liver disease, low blood sodium levels. |
| Habits and allergies | Alcohol or drug use, allergies to other medications, foods, or dyes. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. |
| Use of other medications | If you have taken MAOI medications (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl) within the past 14 days. |
How should I use the medicine?
It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly when taking this medicine.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
- Never break, crush, or chew the pill. Doing so may change the way the medicine works and cause dangerous side effects.
- You can take this with or without food.
- Very important: Do not take this medicine with a high-fat meal. For example, taking this medicine with a high-fat meal, such as a burger or fried rice, may increase the risk of seizures.
- Take only the prescribed dose as prescribed by the doctor. Do not increase the dose as you feel like.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
Imagine you forgot to take your morning pill. If that happens, don't take it again at the same time. Skip the missed dose altogether and take your next dose at the same time. Never take two pills at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
What if the medication dose increases?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, take immediate action. In such a case, go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) as soon as possible. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. This is very important, as an overdose can be dangerous.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
You should also be careful about the other medications you are taking while taking this medicine. Some medications can interact with this medicine and cause problems.
The most important thing is to tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
The two tables below explain this further.
| Do not take this medicine with anything! | |
|---|---|
| - MAOI-type antidepressants (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) | - Opioid medications used for pain or cough |
| - Other medications containing bupropion (e.g. Zyban, Wellbutrin) | - Linezolid, Methylene Blue (intravenous) |
| There may be problems with this medicine (tell your doctor ). | |
|---|---|
| - Alcohol | - Some medications for HIV or Hepatitis |
| - Some blood pressure medications (e.g. Metoprolol) | - Some medications for Parkinson's disease |
| - Some medications for mental illness | - Some medications used for seizures (e.g. Carbamazepine) |
| - Medicines like Digoxin, Warfarin, Clopidogrel | - Some sleeping pills |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Watch out for mood swings: Some people taking this medication may experience mood swings, increased depression, or suicidal thoughts. If you experience a sudden change in your mood (e.g., extreme anger, restlessness, agitation), especially when you first start taking the medication or after changing your dose, call your doctor right away.
- Skin changes: Rarely, some people may develop a serious skin reaction. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as fever, body aches, red, scaly skin, blistering, or peeling skin.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. The combination of alcohol and this medication significantly increases the risk of seizures.
- Driving and operating machinery: This medication may make you feel drowsy and have trouble concentrating. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know exactly how the medication affects you.
- Pregnancy: Losing weight during pregnancy is not recommended. It can be harmful to the unborn baby. If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about this.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| - Allergies (skin rashes, itching, swelling of the face/lips) | - Increased blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat |
| - Seizure | - Severe confusion, hallucinations |
| - Suicidal thoughts or severe changes in mood | - Signs of liver damage (dark urine, yellowing of the eyes, pain in the upper right side of the stomach) |
| - Skin blisters, peeling skin | - Difficulty breathing, vision changes |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
|---|---|
| - Constipation | - Loss of appetite |
| - Headache | - Stomach discomfort, indigestion |
| - Vomiting | - Tremors |
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is just an aid in your weight loss journey. For best results, it is essential to control your diet and exercise as prescribed by your doctor.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all the medications you are taking. Don't hide anything.
- Swallow the tablet whole, without breaking, crushing, or chewing it. Do not take this with a high-fat meal.
- If you notice a sudden change in your mood or skin, don't ignore it. Tell your doctor immediately.
- This medicine is prescribed for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
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