Contrave vs. Wegovy – Difference in Weight Loss, Side Effects & Dosage

Today, obesity is one of the most acute and common diseases which affect people in different countries. Therefore, most people need help with something far more comprehensive than simple eating and training schedules.

That’s where popular Contrave and new Wegovy are becoming mandatory to shed some kilos, at least in America. These medications are legal to be taken for treating obesity in adults with a BMI equal to or larger than 30 kg/m2 as well as in patients with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 and larger (overweight).

Obese patients are at more risk of coming with complications including high blood pressure, type two diabetes, high cholesterol levels, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

Contrave and Wegovy also vary in their active agents, daily doses, methods of action, and possible adverse effects.

Here, the effectiveness of Contrave and Wegovy, its mechanisms, and potential side effects will be discussed in the light of the latest scientific research. It will assist you in deciding that which medicine is best for losing weight.

Contrave and Wegovy – A Main Difference

Contrave:

Extended-release oral tablet consisting of two active substances Naltrexone and Bupropion. This product functions by stimulating and inhibiting paths of the CNS, leading to weight loss, as well as maintaining the same.

Wegovy:

It is a once-week injectable medication containing semaglutide. Research studies have pointed out that it once slowed down the gastric emptying, yet its impact on a patient’s overall weight loss seems to be insignificant. This was found to be even better than other drugs.

Mechanism of Action

Contrave and Wegovy operate in different ways because they contain varying ingredients.

How Contrave functions

Contrave mix naltrexone, a substance with minimal activity other than being an opioid receptor antagonist, and bupropion which is an antidepressant. These drugs aid in harmony since they control the eating centers of the brain and the craving ones as well.

Bupropion has been used for both depression and smoking cessation, naltrexone is used for the treatment of addictions including tobacco as well as alcohol. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial revealed that participants taking naltrexone-bupropion combinations lost significantly more weight than those on placebo. There was also a trend on weight change: 32 mg resulting in 6.1% weight loss; 16 mg showed 5.0% compared with placebo of 1.3%.

How Wegovy Functions

Wegovy contains semaglutide as its ingredient, from the group called glucagon peptide receptor agonists (GLP RAs).

It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and is relatively very similar to the native human GLP-1; having 94% sequence similarity. In comparison to other drugs, it has been proved that GLP-1 suppresses hunger, reduces appetite, and decreases energy consumption. Activation of GLP-1 receptors in the human brain regulates intake of food and reward pathways related to food.

Therefore, Semaglutide has offered glycemic control in diabetes as well as the body weight; it has also demonstrated the reduction of the cardiovascular death opportunity, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke risk in diabetic mellitus type II patients who are at the high cardiovascular risk.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Contrave and Wegovy

Let’s take a glance at the results of clinical research for each one;

• Research conducted with 32 mg Naltrexone and 360 mg Bupropion together with life style changes were associated with significantly higher levels of weight loss compared to the placebo group. Contrave treated participants saw ≥5% weight loss compared to placebo at week 28 (55.6%; 17.5%) and week 56 (50.5%; 17.1%). Contrave produced greater improvements in various cardiometabolic risk markers, participant-reported weight-related quality of life, and eating control.
• The trials of Wegovy medication usage of 4 mg per week for weight loss purposes over 68 weeks resulted in a reduction of starting weight by 14.91%. Participants who kept using Wegovy for two years maintained their weight loss success with a decrease in weight by 15.42%.

Dosage of Contrave & Wegovy

The dosage for each medication differs depending o­n recommendations. However, the usual dosing procedures are as follows.

• Contrave is used as an oral tablets; each Contrave tablet contains a predetermined ratio of naltrexone 8mg and bupropion hydrochloride 90mg. This dosage is 1 tablet in the first week and then slowly increasing, to achieve two tablets daily.
• Wegovy is given through a pen injection, under the skin weekly, and begins with a25 mg dose, per week for the initial four weeks before gradually increasing every four weeks until it reaches a goal of 2.4 mg per week as the maximum dosage.

Comparing the Side Effects of Contrave and Wegovy

Every medication comes with its group of side effects.

Contrave’s most common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Increase in heart rate & Blood pressure

So, people who have uncontrolled high blood pressure are not suitable for Contrave.

Here are some common symptoms of Wegovy:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Abdominal discomfort
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Gallbladder problems
• Acute Pancreatitis

Pediatric Use: Wegovy vs. Contrave

One distinction between the two drugs is their availability for younger patients.

Wegovy is approved for children aged 12 and older, making it one of the few weight-loss treatments authorized for adolescent use. However, Contrave is only approved for adult patients.

For adolescents considered obese, consulting a pediatrician can provide insight into suitable treatment options and weight goals.

Drug Interactions

Wegovy and Contrave differ in terms of potential drug interactions.

• Contrave tends to have more interactions, particularly with medications for depression, blood pressure, and anti-seizure treatments. Alcohol use should also be limited while taking Contrave.
• Wegovy, in contrast, can affect blood sugar levels and the absorption of other oral medications due to its action on digestion. For individuals with diabetes, using Wegovy alongside other blood sugar-lowering drugs may raise the risk of hypoglycemia, so monitoring is essential.

Costs and Insurance Coverage

The cost of these weight-loss medications can vary widely depending on insurance coverage and specific program options:

• By means of an access program, Contrave proposes to receive the medicine for $99 monthly through a mail-order pharmacy without evidence of insurance position. One may even pay a lower price, depending on the insurance coverage that one has.
• Wegovy has a discount card, if you have insurance, the discount is $225 off every month if not, it is $500 off; however, if you do not have insurance coverage Wegovy cost can be $1000 or more per month.

Coverage differs from policy to policy but obesity medications require fulfilment of some conditions before being authorized. Some of these medications may be expensive, but a healthcare provider can help you consider your insurance plan to discover an affordable way to get them.

Is It Safe to Take Contrave and Wegovy?

Using both medications, for suppression and weight loss concurrently is not recommended as it can worsen potential side effects without offering significant benefits in terms of weight loss outcomes. The general recommendation is to use one medication at a time and it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before considering a combination of these medications.

Conclusion

Both Contrave and Wegovy provide solutions for managing weight with their advantages and potential drawbacks to consider carefully before choosing one over the other based on individual needs and preferences. Contrave may be beneficial for individuals struggling with cravings and emotional eating triggered by anxiety and stress factors whereas Wegovy’s ability to induce prolonged feelings of fullness could result in sustainable weight loss outcomes in the long run. Seeking guidance from a healthcare professional is crucial to determining which medication best fits your health objectives as well as aligning with your lifestyle choices and financial circumstances.

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