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Contrave

How to take Contrave

Morning and evening tablets, swallowed whole

Quick read · 5 min

Last reviewed: September 2026Every claim linked to source

Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion extended-release) is taken by mouth in the morning and in the evening. The FDA label says the tablets should not be cut, chewed or crushed, and that Contrave should not be taken with a high-fat meal, because that produces a significant increase in how much of both medicines reaches the bloodstream. The dose builds over four weeks to two tablets twice a day.

Taking Contrave

Most of the label instructions here exist to keep seizure risk down.

1
Two times a day, morning and evening

The label says Contrave should be taken by mouth in the morning and in the evening. Splitting the daily dose across two times is one of the label steps for reducing seizure risk.

2
Swallow the tablets whole

The label says the tablets should not be cut, chewed or crushed. They are extended-release, so breaking them changes how the medicine is released. The Medication Guide says to tell your healthcare provider if you cannot swallow them whole.

3
Avoid high-fat meals

In the clinical trials Contrave was given with meals, but the label says it should not be taken with a high-fat meal, because that significantly increases how much bupropion and naltrexone reach the bloodstream.

4
Never more than two tablets at once

The Medication Guide says not to take more than 2 tablets at the same time and not more than 4 tablets in 1 day. The label lists both among the ways to reduce the risk of seizure.

5
Follow the four-week build-up

One tablet in the morning in week 1; one morning and one evening in week 2; two morning and one evening in week 3; two morning and two evening from week 4. The label says to escalate gradually rather than starting at the full dose.

Why the rule exists

Contrave contains bupropion, which can cause seizures — about 0.1% of people in the clinical trials, against 0% on placebo — and the label says the risk is dose-related. That is why so much of the how-to-take guidance is prescriptive. The label lists the measures that reduce that risk: keep the total daily dose within 360 mg of the bupropion component, split it into two doses, escalate gradually, never take more than two tablets at one time, avoid high-fat meals, and wait for the next scheduled dose if one is missed.

Pill storage
Where to keep it
Room temperature, 68–77°F (20–25°C)
Excursions
Permitted between 59°F and 86°F
Always
Keep out of the reach of children
If you miss a pill
1
You miss the morning or evening dose
Wait until your next regular time and take that dose normally.
2
Never
Take more than one dose at a time, more than two tablets at once, or more than four tablets in a day.
3
If you take opioid medicines
The label says you may be more sensitive to lower amounts of opioids after a missed dose — an overdose risk worth telling people close to you about.

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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Keep reading

Full Naltrexone / Bupropion ER overview →Dosage guide →Storage guide →Drug interactions →

Next step most people take

See the dosage guide
What the label says about each dose
If you miss a dose
The label instruction, step by step

Built with agentic AI tools and not a substitute for medical advice

Last reviewed:

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.