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Side-effects of Contrave usage

Side-effects of Contrave usage
Written by: Bronwen Watson

Common Contrave side-effects9

  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Headaches
  • Sleep disturbance or insomnia
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Diarrhoea

Rare or uncommon side effects associated with contrave use

  • Anxiety
  • Hot flushes
  • Fatigue
  • Tremor
  • Abdominal pain (upper)
  • Gastroenteritis (viral)
  • Flu (influenza)
  • Tinnitus
  • UTI (urinary tract infection)
  • Hypertension or blood pressure elevations
  • Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
  • Irritability
  • Taste sensitivities / distorted sense of taste (dysgeusia)
  • Rash
  • Muscle strain
  • Palpitations

Other reported side effects associated with contrave use

  • Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
  • Vertigo
  • Motion sickness
  • Abdominal pain (lower)
  • Belching (eructation)
  • Swelling of the lips
  • Blood that is passed through the anus / stools (haematochezia)
  • Hernia
  • Restlessness or feeling jittery or nervous
  • Increased thirst
  • Sensation of heat (feeling hot)
  • Body weakness and physical fatigue (asthenia)
  • Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
  • Pneumonia
  • Staphylococcal infections
  • Infection of the kidneys
  • Dehydration
  • Jaw pain
  • Attention difficulties
  • Problems with memory
  • Amnesia
  • Lethargy
  • Difficulties with balance
  • Light-headedness
  • Abnormal or disturbing dreams
  • Dissociation
  • Agitation and tension
  • Mood swings
  • Irregular menstruation (females)
  • Erectile dysfunction (males)
  • Alopecia (hair loss)
  • Malaise
  • Loss of consciousness or fainting

Contrave side-effects that must be attended to immediately

  • Allergic reactions: Hives, rash, swelling (of the mouth, throat, face, lips or tongue), redness, itching, skin peeling or blistering, tightness in the chest or throat, wheezing, breathing difficulties, swallowing problems, inability to talk and hoarseness.
  • Liver dysfunction: Darkened urine, fatigue / tiredness, lack of appetite, stomach discomfort or pain, upset stomach, vomiting, light-coloured stools, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.
  • Blood pressure elevations: Severe headaches, dizziness, fainting and vision disturbances or changes.
  • Development of unexplained symptoms:
  1. Pressure or pain in the chest
  2. Quickened heartbeat
  3. Irregular heartbeat
  4. Restlessness
  5. Swelling, including glands
  6. Fever
  7. Muscle or joint pain
  8. Irritated or red eyes
  9. Sores in the throat, mouth, nose or eyes
  10. Seizures
  11. Hallucinations

Contrave Overdosage

An overdosage of bupropion is the main concern when it comes to taking one too many Contrave tablets. This is largely due to the higher components of this drug within the medication. Serious indicators of overdosage in this regard include:

  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Reduced awareness or responsiveness
  • Confusion
  • Abnormal heart beat (Arrhythmia)
  • Muscle rigidity
  • Breakdown of muscle tissues (rhabdomyolysis)
  • Fever
  • Stupor
  • Low blood pressure (Hypotension)
  • Respiratory failure
  • Blue discolouration of the fingernails, skin and lips
  • Cardiac failure
  • Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Coma

Adverse reactions indicating overdosage must be attended to by qualified medical personnel in a clinical environment immediately. There is no available antidote specific to Contrave overdose, however medical personnel will administer appropriate supportive care and close monitoring and supervision of all vital signs in particular.

Reference:

9. Food and Drug Administration. Contrave - Drug Label: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/200063s009lbl.pdf [Accessed 23.08.2018]

 

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