Obesity is a big and rising problem in Singapore. According to the Health Promotion Board, 10% of Singaporeans and obese and 30% of us are overweight. Several medicines have been developed to treat obesity including Liraglutide and Semaglutide.
Contrave is the latest medicine introduced into Singapore for weight loss and the treatment of obesity. Find out all you need to know about this new kid on the block for weight loss medicines in this quick punchy FAQ.
What is Contrave?
Contrave is a medicine prescribed for the treatment of obesity.
It causes weight loss by controlling cravings and hunger.
It is a tablet that is taken once or twice a day depending on your requirements and your Doctor’s instructions.
Who is Contrave for?
Contrave is recommended as part of a weight loss treatment program (including exercise and a sensible diet) for patients with a BMI of > 30 kg/m2 or have a BMI of > 27 kg/m2 with a medical problem that is related to obesity. For example: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or painful knees.
Of course these are just guidelines and if you think you may benefit from Contrave, you should have a discussion with your Doctor.
Contrave works especially well for people who suffer from:
Addiction eating – People compelled to eat as eating releases a feel good hormone (endorphin)
Subconscious eating – People who eat while distracted or tired
Emotional eating – People who eat for comfort when stressed or in a low mood. Sometimes also referred to as “comfort eating”
Who cannot take Contrave?
The following patients should not take Contrave unless advised otherwise by their Doctors:
- People who are allergic to any component of Contrave
- People with uncontrolled high blood pressure or who suffer from seizures
- People who are pregnant
- People who are currently on opiod pain killers
- People who are undergoing withdrawal from alcohol or sleeping pills dependence
There are also other factors to be considered before Contrave is prescribed. Please ask your Doctor.
How does Contrave work?
Contrave works by blocking the parts of the brain that controls hunger and cravings.
Hunger (or satiation) is controlled by the brain’s hunger centre that is located in the hypothalamus. Contrave increases activity in this centre thus making you feel full for longer. In other words, Contrave reduces the feeling of hunger
Cravings are controlled by the rewards system in the brain located in the mesolimbic system. Contrave reduces the feeling of pleasure when eating consequently reducing cravings.
How effective is Contrave?
Current studies show significant weight loss after just 4 weeks on Contrave
Over 56 weeks (1 year) studies show that people on Contrave lose between 11.6% and 13.6% of their bodyweight depending on how much of their lifestyle they change.
What are the side effects of Contrave?
Common side effects of Contrave include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Headache
There are other less common side effects that your Doctor may discuss with you.
How is Contrave taken?
Contrave is a tablet that is taken orally. It can be taken with or without food. However, it should NOT be taken with a high fat meal.
The recommended starting dose is 1 tablet every morning. If tolerated and required the dose can be slowly increased to a maximum dose of 2 tablets in the morning and 2 tablets in the evening (4 tablets a day)
How much does Contrave cost?
Different clinics will have different pricing schemes.
Generally, Contrave is more economical compared to Semaglutide and Liraglutide.
Contrave comes in a bottle of 120 tablets. Depending on the dose prescribed, one bottle can last anywhere between 1 and 4 months. This can lead to more cost savings.
What should I do if I want to try Contrave?
Come visit us at our clinic and have a discussion with one of our Doctors.
Let us have a frank discussion if Contrave is right for you.
Click here if you wish to make an appointment at our Clinic.
Have a question? Feel free to put it in the comments section below.
Or visit us at our Clinic.
Email us: doc@drtanmedicalcenter.com.sg
Call us: +65-65130359
WhatsApp Us: 97505037