The main benefit of this FDA-approved drug is to help overweight and obese people achieve a healthier weight and lower their risk for weight-related medical conditions. An overwhelming body of clinical evidence supports this:
In overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, administration of 32 mg naltrexone sustained-release (SR)/360 mg bupropion SR (NB) resulted in significantly greater weight reduction. [2]
In non-diabetic patients, three phase 3 trials of naltrexone SR plus bupropion SR (NB) demonstrated significant weight loss without any adverse side effects. [3-5]
When combined with lifestyle intervention and modest calorie reduction, the naltrexone–bupropion combination appears to achieve clinically significant weight loss (over 5% of total body weight)after 6 months to 1 year of treatment. [6]
A study found that contrave treatment was associated with 3 to 7% weight loss and improvements in obesity-related comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors.