That is correct, BB, and well known amongst most prescribers. Patients being evaluated for treatment with bupropion are typically screened for eating disorders. Not fun to have a seizure, which is a potential consequence of the mix of the two. Bupropion is also contraindicated for patients with a history of a seizure disorder. There are other contraindications as well.
Take a read of the WebMD link. This is one of the most interesting FDA approvals… Someone’s head might roll…
The drug insert warnings in any medication package lists every side effect every patient in the study group reported-- whether it was real or placebo. Many who read those things would never take any prescribed medication (and yes, many don’t). Not sure which WebMD link you are referring to- Wellbutrin or the med Earl Van Dorn mentioned. But, this probably a conversation for another thread.
So speaking of off-label drug uses, and anti-depressants and hormones, my GYN-ONC did say some women get some symptom relief of hot flashes with taking Effexor, which is an SNRI anti-depressant. I told him no thanks - it is one of the rarer anti-depressants that can cause weight loss. I have since met women who have used very low dosage anti-depressants for hot flashes, but it’s not what would be first on my list, especially given my propensity to high-blood pressure.
No, the link is not to the insert. The safety studies are… still ongoing, the drug was rushed to the market without a really compelling medical necessity:
http://www.m.webmd.com/diet/news/20150518/weight-loss-contrave-safety
Are you opposed to bariatric surgery as well, BB?
@EarlVanDorn, based on the studies and articles I’ve read, while Contrave is effective at suppressing appetite, it’s not all that remarkable in achieving substantial weight losses. Everything I’ve read states that in order to achieve significant losses, it is necessary to make significant nutritional and exercise changes. And what is someone supposed to do, take it for the rest of their life? In this regard, all of the studies and reviews I’ve read make it very clear that in the absence of making sustainable nutrition and exercise behavior changes, as soon as someone comes off of Contrave, the weight comes back on. Given the side effects, is it really beneficial or just a drug company profit driven “easy fix”.
http://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/is-contrave-worth-trying-to-lose-weight/
Love the side effects!
I think bariatric surgery has limited value. It certainly can work, but I’ve seen many folks who gradually gain all the weight back. It still requires significant life changes and discipline.
Of course it does. But it has been life changing for many who have not had success in other ways. It’s a lifestyle change. Just as managing diabetes takes discipline. Diet and/or medication. Healthy choices and managing the disease.
“Are you opposed to bariatric surgery as well, BB?”
I am not opposed to it, because it has a limited utility - in a very small slice of the population. However, neither the OP not the vast majority of folks here would be the candidates for it. Ditto bupropion or combos containing it.
Imagine someone would come here and say, “You should try a gastric bypass, it is amazing.” Ditto the recommendation of Contrave. Not a remedy OP (or the majority of folks posting here) are looking for.
To think of it… Would I take a drug with a bunch of serious side effects that would prevent me from having a glass of wine while possibly, maybe making me want to eat less OR would I simply make an effort to eat less and enjoy an occasional glass of zin? To me, the choice is easy to make.
The conversation veered away from the OP’s original question a while ago 
I am familiar with Wellbutrin as I have known people who have taken it for mood issues and for smoking cessation (as Zyban/bupropion) but am not familiar with Contrave and have no opinion about it. My question was more related to the fact that there are some people who will need to look at alternative treatments for weight management in addition to the healthy eating and exercise.
Yea, I’m not a fan of a prescription or OTC aid for weight loss as I tend to have more than enough reactions from Rx I have to take not to want to confound reactions.
I can see how other options may be worth considering if the weight is causing medical issues and other more traditional and conservative methods have been exhausted.
I believe the OP was noticing what many of us have noticed–our metabolism slows as we age, especially after menopause and adjustments have to be made accordingly–in caloric intake and activity level.
Jym, here is what the post said:
“Contrave is said to be highly effective, and they offer a coupon that makes it affordable. Combine it with Topamax, say 100-125 after titrating up, and you will lose weight.”
It is an unsubstantiated assertion of a “fact” that sounds like a pharma sales pitch. That’s what brought out the negative reaction. Had the poster said something along the lines “there are drugs such as Contrive that may be used in a certain population”, the reaction to the post would have been different.
Not sure what you are responding to, BB. Can you clarify?
I commented earlier about meds or OTCs that might be used to treat more than one thing (eg Benadryl/diphenhydramine) and I somehow got sucked into a vortex, or so it feels!
Sorry, got distracted, and a bunch of posts landed in between. This is what I was responding to:
“The conversation veered away from the OP’s original question a while ago”
I was explaining why people were reacting harshly to his mentioning of the drug. Not because we were merely discussing all weight loss options and were completely opposed to any pharmacological intervention or surgery (last resort efforts), but because his post sounded so… sales pitch-like. Just ask your doctor and add another pill while you are at it.
You may want to be more concerned about the body fat percentage (or waist / height ratio) than the weight.
It would be great if there was a magic weight loss pill… And one with no side effects!! I want it to also include a face and eyebrow lift! IT can lift a few other body parts while its at it.
Ucb, at 130 lb, an average height woman hardly has to be concerned with her body fat %. It would take a really big effort to shift body fat % towards a really bad number while keeping height and weight constant. 
Yeah, bus does not run marathons, but she kicks serious butt! As any pilot should.
I was taking @busdriver11 's word for it when she wrote “my problem is body fat” in reply #107.