*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
>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. You should not take CONTRAVE again if you have a seizure.
*Risk of opioid overdose. One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE (naltrexone) can increase your chance of having an opioid overdose if you take opioid medicines while taking CONTRAVE.
You can accidentally overdose in 2 ways:
>Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids, such as heroin, or opioid pain medicines. 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.
>After you take naltrexone, its blocking effect slowly decreases and completely goes away over time. If you have used opioid street drugs or opioid-containing medicines in the past, using opioids in amounts that you used before treatment with naltrexone can lead to overdose and death.
*You may also be more sensitive to the effects of lower amounts of opioids:
>after you have gone through detoxification
>when your next dose of CONTRAVE is due
>if you miss a dose of CONTRAVE
>after you stop CONTRAVE treatment
*It is important that you tell your family and the people closest to you of this increased sensitivity to opioids and the risk of overdose.
*You or someone close to you should get emergency medical help right away if you:
>have trouble breathing
>become very drowsy with slowed breathing
>have slow, shallow breathing (little chest movement with breathing)
>feel faint, very dizzy, confused, or have unusual symptoms
*Sudden opioid withdrawal. People who take CONTRAVE must not use any type of opioid (must be opioid-free) 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. Some people have had a severe allergic reaction to bupropion, one of the ingredients in CONTRAVE. 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
>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. One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE, naltrexone can cause 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
>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. One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE, bupropion can cause some people who were manic or depressed in the past to become manic or depressed again.
Visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma). One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE, bupropion, can cause some people to have visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma). Signs and symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma 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 (hypoglycemia) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also take medicines to treat their diabetes. Weight loss can cause low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also take medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (such as insulin or sulfonylureas). You should check your blood sugar before you start taking CONTRAVE and while you take CONTRAVE.