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Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2009 Oct;10(10):1117-25.

Contrave, a bupropion and naltrexone combination therapy for the
potential treatment of obesity.
Padwal R.
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta Hospital, 2F1 26 Walter C
Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada.

Contrave, under development by Orexigen Therapeutics Inc for the
potential treatment of obesity, is an oral, sustained-release
combination of the dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake antagonist
bupropion and the opioid antagonist naltrexone. The proposed dual
mechanism of action of the compound involves complementary stimulation
of central melanocortin pathways, resulting in increased energy
expenditure and reduced appetite. At the time of publication, Contrave
was being assessed in phase III clinical trials. Preliminary data
demonstrated placebo-subtracted weight losses of 3 to 7% and
improvements in obesity-related comorbidities and cardiovascular risk
factors. The primary adverse effect leading to discontinuation of
treatment was nausea. Assuming that the results of the Contrave phase
III clinical program reaffirm the efficacy and safety of the drug
combination, this agent could be approved and launched to become a
market leader in the anti-obesity therapeutic arena.
PMID: 19777400