Contrave in Australia
Contrave Key Facts
Yes, TGA approved for weight management
TGA approved 2019. Oral tablet combining two established compounds. One of only two oral options for weight loss approved in Australia (alongside Orlistat).
Both components well-established individually
Naltrexone: decades of use for opioid/alcohol dependence. Bupropion: well-known antidepressant. Not suitable for uncontrolled hypertension, seizure disorders, eating disorders, or current opioid use.
12 years globally, 7 years in AU
FDA approved Sep 2014. TGA approved 2019. Called Mysimba in the UK. Both individual components have decades of clinical use.
~$150-200/month
Private prescription. Significantly cheaper than GLP-1 injectables. Not PBS subsidised. ~$150-200/month depending on pharmacy.
Prescription from GP; oral tablet, no injections
Oral tablets: no needles. Available from any pharmacy with a valid prescription. No specialist referral needed. No supply issues.
Contrave Australian Regulatory Status
Contrave Mechanism of Action
Targets two brain pathways. Naltrexone (opioid antagonist) blocks reward/craving pathways in the mesolimbic dopamine circuit. Bupropion (NDRI) acts on the hypothalamic appetite centre to reduce hunger. The combination addresses both biological hunger drive and reward-based food cravings.
Contrave Dosing Schedule
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tab morning | Week 1 | Starting dose |
| 1 AM + 1 PM | Week 2 | Escalation |
| 2 AM + 1 PM | Week 3 | Escalation |
| 2 AM + 2 PM | Week 4+ | Maintenance (4 tablets/day) |
Contrave Side Effects
Very common
- Nausea (32%)
- Constipation (18%)
- Headache (14%)
Common
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
Serious (rare)
- Seizures (contraindicated in seizure disorders)
- Increased blood pressure
- Hepatotoxicity
- Suicidal thoughts (bupropion, young adults)
- Cannot be used with opioids
Contrave Clinical Evidence
COR-I
6.1% weight loss vs 1.3% placebo
COR-II
6.4% weight loss maintained
COR-BMOD
9.3% with intensive behaviour modification
Contrave Clinical Trial Sources
COR-I
NCT005327796.1% weight loss vs 1.3% placebo at 56 weeks in 1,742 adults
Lancet 2010;376:595-605
COR-BMOD (Behavioural Modification)
NCT004565219.3% weight loss with intensive behavioural modification
Obesity 2011;19:110-120
COR-Diabetes
NCT004746305.0% weight loss in type 2 diabetes; HbA1c -0.6%
Diabetes Care 2013;36:4022-4029
Source data from published peer-reviewed studies. Contrave clinical trials listed above are the primary weight loss and cardiovascular outcomes studies. Links open in a new tab to external medical databases.
Compare Contrave with Other Medications
Contrave vs Ozempic
GLP-1 receptor agonist
~15% avg. weight loss
Contrave vs Wegovy
GLP-1 receptor agonist
~15-17% avg. weight loss
Contrave vs Mounjaro
Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
~21% avg. weight loss
Contrave vs Orlistat
Lipase inhibitor
~3-5% avg. weight loss
Contrave vs Saxenda
GLP-1 receptor agonist
~8% avg. weight loss
Estimate your total treatment cost
Medication Cost CalculatorThis website is for informational and research purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor or specialist before making any decisions about medication.
The weight loss medication landscape in Australia is changing rapidly. Information on this page may become outdated without notice. Data sourced from the TGA, FDA, MHRA, NICE, PBAC, Australian Prescriber, Obesity Evidence Hub, and clinical trial publications. Last reviewed March 2026.