Wegovy vs. Contrave
See how Wegovy and Contrave compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection with an added FDA approval to lower cardiovascular risk, while Contrave is a twice-daily pill approved only for weight management.
Both drugs commonly cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, and headache, though the rates differ between the two medications.
Wegovy typically costs more per month than Contrave, running roughly $1,300 to $1,350 versus $750 to $840 without insurance.
Wegovy vs. Contrave Drug Summary
Wegovy
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist given as a once-weekly injection. It's approved for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents with obesity or overweight, and separately to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with heart disease. Doses are increased gradually over about four months to reach the 2.4 mg maintenance dose.
Contrave
Contrave combines naltrexone and bupropion, an opioid antagonist paired with an antidepressant, taken as an oral tablet twice daily. It's approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight alongside diet and exercise. Dosing is titrated over two weeks to reach the twice-daily maintenance dose.
Wegovy vs. Contrave Side Effects
Wegovy
Contrave
Wegovy vs. Contrave Dosage
Wegovy
Contrave
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 2.4 mg once weekly | Week 17 onward |
| Dose changes | 4 increases | Every 4 weeks |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 8 mg/90 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 16 mg/180 mg twice daily | Week 3 onward |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | Every week |
Wegovy
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 2.4 mg once weekly | Week 17 onward |
| Dose changes | 4 increases | Every 4 weeks |
Contrave
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 8 mg/90 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 16 mg/180 mg twice daily | Week 3 onward |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | Every week |
Wegovy vs. Contrave Indications
Wegovy
Wegovy is FDA-approved for long-term weight management in people 12 and older with obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition, when combined with diet and exercise. It also carries a separate approval to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults with established heart disease and obesity or overweight.
Weight management in adults and adolescents (12+)
For obesity, or overweight with a related condition
Used with diet and exercise
Reduces cardiovascular risk in adults with heart disease
Contrave
Contrave is FDA-approved for long-term weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It does not carry any additional approval for cardiovascular risk reduction or other conditions.
Weight management in adults only
For obesity, or overweight with a related condition
Used with reduced-calorie diet and exercise
No cardiovascular risk-reduction approval
Wegovy vs. Contrave Pros and Cons
Wegovy
Wegovy has shown larger average weight loss in clinical trials than most oral weight-loss medications, including Contrave. As an injectable GLP-1, it carries GI-related side effects and a thyroid tumor boxed warning, and it costs more per month than Contrave without insurance.
Pros
Larger average weight loss in clinical trials
Only needs to be taken once a week
Also approved to reduce cardiovascular risk
Approved for adolescents 12 and older
Cons
Requires a self-injection each week
Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors
GI side effects tend to be more frequent
Costs roughly $1,300 to $1,350 per month before insurance
Contrave
Contrave works through a different mechanism than GLP-1 drugs, combining an opioid antagonist with an antidepressant in pill form. It's taken orally rather than injected, but it carries its own boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and has more contraindications related to seizures, opioid use, and blood pressure.
Pros
Oral tablet, no injections needed
No thyroid tumor warning or GI-heavy profile
Costs roughly $750 to $840 per month before insurance
May suit those who can't take a GLP-1 drug
Cons
Boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Contraindicated with seizure history, opioid use, uncontrolled hypertension
Twice-daily dosing schedule
Generally produces less weight loss than Wegovy
Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore
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