Naltrexone ER/Bupropion ER: A Review in Obesity Management

Drugs. 2015 Jul;75(11):1269-80. doi: 10.1007/s40265-015-0427-5.

Abstract

Oral naltrexone extended-release/bupropion extended-release (naltrexone ER/bupropion ER; Contrave(®), Mysimba(™)) is available as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 30 kg/m(2) (i.e. obese) or a BMI of ≥ 27 kg/m(2) (i.e. overweight) in the presence of at least one bodyweight-related comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension or dyslipidaemia. In 56-week phase III trials in these patient populations, oral naltrexone ER/bupropion ER 32/360 mg/day was significantly more effective than placebo with regard to percentage bodyweight reductions from baseline and the proportion of patients who achieved bodyweight reductions of ≥ 5 and ≥ 10%. Significantly greater improvements in several cardiometabolic risk factors were also observed with naltrexone ER/bupropion ER versus placebo, as well as greater improvements in glycated haemoglobin levels in obese or overweight adults with type 2 diabetes. Naltrexone ER/bupropion ER was generally well tolerated in phase III trials, with nausea being the most common adverse event. Thus, naltrexone ER/bupropion ER 32/360 mg/day as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, is an effective and well tolerated option for chronic bodyweight management in obese adults or overweight adults with at least one bodyweight-related comorbidity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bupropion / administration & dosage
  • Bupropion / adverse effects
  • Bupropion / therapeutic use*
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Combinations
  • Humans
  • Naltrexone / administration & dosage
  • Naltrexone / adverse effects
  • Naltrexone / therapeutic use*
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Overweight / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Combinations
  • bupropion hydrochloride, naltrexone hydrochoride drug combination
  • Bupropion
  • Naltrexone