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Foundayo vs Contrave

Quick read · 5 min

Last reviewed: September 2026Based on 2 clinical trialsEvery claim linked to source

Foundayo (orforglipron, daily pill) and Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion ER, twice-daily tablet) are both approved for weight loss in the United States. No head-to-head trial has compared these two drugs. The figures below come from separate trials, each with its own participants, length and comparison group.

At a glance

Foundayo and Contrave compared on form, trial results, cost and reported side effects
 FoundayoContrave
FormDaily pillTwice-daily tablet
How oftenOnce-daily pill — no injection, no fasting, no food timingTwice-daily oral tablet — no injection
Weight loss in trialsUp to 12.4% — ATTAIN-1 (72 weeks)Up to 9.3% — COR-BMOD (56 weeks)
FDA approved20262014
Made byEli LillyCurrax Pharmaceuticals
How it worksA small-molecule (non-peptide) GLP-1 receptor agonist.Bupropion activates appetite-suppressing nerve cells in the brain's hunger control centre (the hypothalamus).
Monthly cost, self-pay$149–$349/mo$100–$400/mo
Most reported reactionNausea 33% (ATTAIN-1)Nausea 33% (COR-I)

Every figure in this table is read from the same trial and label records used everywhere else on this site.

Weight loss in each drug's main trial

No head-to-head trial has compared these two drugs.

Foundayo(orforglipron)12.4%

ATTAIN-1 (72 weeks)

Contrave(naltrexone / bupropion ER)9.3%

COR-BMOD (56 weeks)

In clinical trials, participants taking orforglipron lost on average up to 12.4% of their starting body weight, and participants taking naltrexone / bupropion ER lost on average up to 9.3%. Those numbers come from two different studies: ATTAIN-1 enrolled 3,127 adults with obesity or overweight with comorbidities, no type 2 diabetes over 72 weeks against placebo, while COR-BMOD enrolled adults with obesity, with intensive behaviour therapy over 56 weeks against placebo + intensive behaviour therapy. Who took part, how long each trial ran and what each drug was measured against all move the percentage, so the two figures are not a measured difference between the drugs.

Monthly cost, self-pay

The bar spans the range in each drug's price record — lowest listed price to highest.

Foundayo$149–$349/mo

$149/month self-pay at the lowest dose, up to $349/month at the highest dose via LillyDirect. $25/month with the commercial insurance savings card. Medicare Part D coverage expected from July 2026 at ~$50/month.

Contrave$100–$400/mo

~$100–$400/month (brand). Generic available in some markets.

Self-pay prices are what the manufacturer or the pharmacy lists, not what most people end up paying. Foundayo: $149–$349/month. Contrave: $100–$400/month. Insurance, dose and pharmacy all change both figures.

Side effects reported in the trials

Both trials reported 3 reactions in common. Each rate is the percentage of participants who reported it in the trial named beside it, so the two columns are not from the same study.

Nausea
Foundayo · ATTAIN-133%
Contrave · COR-I33%
Vomiting
Foundayo · ATTAIN-119%
Contrave · COR-I11%
Constipation
Foundayo · ATTAIN-118%
Contrave · COR-I19%

A rate is the share of trial participants who reported that reaction, not a prediction for any one person.

How they differ in practice

How you take it

  • FoundayoOnce-daily oral tablet. No food or water restrictions.
  • ContraveOral extended-release tablet, twice daily

Dose build-up

  • Foundayo3 mg → 6 mg → 12 mg → 36 mg, escalated over several months
  • Contravetitrated to 32/360 mg/day over 4 weeks

Where a drug is not listed here, its prescribing information sets out its own dose steps.

How soon it acts

  • FoundayoAppetite changes typically within the first 4 weeks; meaningful weight loss by 12–16 weeks
  • ContraveAppetite and craving changes typically within 4–8 weeks; significant weight loss by 16–24 weeks

Heart and metabolic findings

  • FoundayoCardiovascular outcomes data pending.
  • ContraveThe LIGHT cardiovascular outcomes trial was terminated early due to a protocol violation and did not provide a definitive answer on CV outcomes.

As stated in each drug’s trial record — not a claim about which drug protects the heart more.

Other findings recorded

  • FoundayoNo food or water restrictions — take any time of day; available at $149/month self-pay (lowest dose) or $25/month with commercial insurance
  • ContraveMay help specifically with emotional eating and food cravings; bupropion's antidepressant effect may be beneficial if low mood contributes to overeating

If you stop taking it

  • FoundayoNo withdrawal trial has been published for Foundayo.
  • ContraveWeight regain after stopping is expected.

Common questions

Written and maintained by one person · Built with agentic AI tools · Every number checked against the cited trial · Not medical advice

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Medical disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.