Nutrition Diet: What not to eat on Contrave? A Comprehensive Guide

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 pharmacist review, avoiding high-fat meals while on Contrave is crucial because it can significantly increase drug absorption and raise the risk of serious side effects, including seizures. This guide provides a detailed look at what not to eat on Contrave to ensure your treatment is safe and effective.

Quick Summary

A proper nutrition plan is vital when taking Contrave. This article outlines food and beverage restrictions, including high-fat foods, alcohol, excessive caffeine, and processed items. It details the risks associated with these interactions and offers dietary strategies to manage common side effects like nausea and boost weight loss efforts.

Key Points

Avoid high-fat meals with Contrave: Taking the medication with high-fat food can increase absorption, potentially raising the risk of seizures.
Limit or avoid alcohol entirely: Mixing Contrave with alcohol can lead to adverse neuropsychiatric events and increase seizure risk.
Reduce excessive caffeine intake: Both bupropion and caffeine are stimulants, and a high intake can increase side effects like restlessness, insomnia, and palpitations.
Steer clear of processed and sugary foods: These items can undermine weight loss goals by providing empty calories and interfering with the medication's effects.
Manage nausea with bland, frequent meals: If you experience nausea, opt for smaller, more frequent meals and avoid spicy or acidic foods.
Increase fiber and water intake for constipation: Hydration and high-fiber foods can help manage constipation, a common side effect of Contrave.

The Critical Interaction with High-Fat Meals

One of the most important dietary considerations for anyone taking Contrave is avoiding high-fat meals. The drug, a combination of bupropion and naltrexone, can be more readily absorbed into your body when consumed with a high-fat meal. This increased absorption can lead to higher-than-intended drug levels, which raises the risk of side effects, most notably seizures. While you can take Contrave with or without food, the safest approach is to avoid taking your dose with or immediately after a high-fat meal.

Why high-fat foods are restricted

High-fat meals slow down digestion, which alters the way your body processes and absorbs the medication. The extended-release formula of Contrave is designed to release slowly over time. A large influx of the drug due to high-fat food can overwhelm your system and trigger adverse reactions. Common culprits include:

Fried foods (e.g., french fries, fried chicken, donuts)
High-fat dairy (e.g., heavy cream, full-fat cheese, ice cream)
Fatty meats (e.g., bacon, sausages, ribs, marbled beef)
Rich, cream-based sauces and dressings
Certain snack foods (e.g., chips, pastries, chocolate)
Even healthy fats, like large amounts of avocado or nut butter, should be consumed in moderation and not with your dose.

Avoiding Alcohol While Taking Contrave

Medical professionals strongly advise limiting or completely avoiding alcohol while on Contrave. The interaction between bupropion and alcohol can increase the risk of neuropsychiatric events, such as mood changes, anxiety, and agitation. For individuals with a history of heavy drinking, abruptly stopping alcohol while starting Contrave can also increase seizure risk.

The risks of mixing alcohol and Contrave

Mixing the two substances can lead to a number of dangerous outcomes:

Increased Seizure Risk: Both bupropion and alcohol affect the brain's activity. Mixing them can lower the seizure threshold, especially for those with a history of alcohol abuse or dependence.
Enhanced Intoxication: Contrave can make you more sensitive to the effects of alcohol, leading to quicker intoxication and impaired judgment.
Higher Calorie Intake: Alcohol is full of empty calories that can undermine your weight loss goals, counteracting the purpose of the medication.

Limiting Caffeine and Other Stimulants

Bupropion is a central nervous system stimulant, and so is caffeine. Combining excessive amounts of both can exacerbate side effects. While a small amount of coffee or tea may be acceptable for some, it is wise to limit your overall intake of caffeinated products.

Caffeine's impact on Contrave users

Increased Seizure Risk: Similar to the alcohol interaction, excessive caffeine can lower the seizure threshold, especially when combined with bupropion.
Exacerbated Side Effects: High caffeine intake can increase restlessness, irritability, insomnia, and palpitations.
Potential for Digestive Upset: Both Contrave and caffeine can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Combining them can make nausea and other issues worse.

The Problem with Processed Foods and Refined Sugars

Contrave is meant to be used as part of a comprehensive weight management plan that includes a healthy diet and exercise. Processed foods and items high in refined sugar can sabotage these efforts.

How processed foods undermine your progress

Empty Calories: Processed foods often contain high amounts of refined sugar, unhealthy fats, and sodium, providing little nutritional value and contributing to weight gain.
Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Refined carbohydrates and sugars cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can lead to increased hunger and cravings.
Undermined Efficacy: Regularly consuming these items can hinder the effectiveness of Contrave by counteracting its appetite-suppressing effects.

Managing Common Side Effects with Diet

Dietary choices can play a significant role in managing common side effects like nausea and constipation, which often occur as your body adjusts to Contrave.

Dietary strategies for nausea and constipation

For nausea, try consuming smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and avoid overly spicy or acidic foods. Bland foods like crackers or dry toast can also help. To combat constipation, increase your intake of fiber-rich foods like whole grains, legumes, and plenty of vegetables, and remember to drink plenty of water.

Dietary Dos and Don'ts: A Comparison


Category	What Not to Eat on Contrave	Recommended Healthy Alternatives
High-Fat Foods	Fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, bacon, high-fat dairy, rich sauces	Lean proteins (e.g., chicken breast, fish), grilled or baked foods, low-fat dairy
Alcohol	Any form of alcoholic beverages, especially if you drink heavily	Water, unsweetened teas, carbonated water with a squeeze of citrus
Caffeine	Excessive amounts of coffee, energy drinks, high-caffeinated teas	Moderate intake of coffee or green tea; opt for caffeine-free beverages
Processed Sugars	Candy, cakes, pastries, sugary sodas, sweetened juices	Low-sugar fruits (e.g., berries), whole grains, and water
Acidic/Spicy Foods	Very acidic or extremely spicy meals, especially if you experience nausea	Bland foods like toast, crackers, bananas; gradually reintroduce more flavor
Refined Carbs	White bread, white pasta, sugary cereals	Whole grains (e.g., oats, brown rice), high-fiber breads and pastas

Conclusion: Prioritizing Your Nutrition for Optimal Results

Successfully incorporating Contrave into your weight management plan involves more than just taking a pill. A careful and mindful approach to your diet, specifically focusing on what not to eat on Contrave, is essential for both your safety and the medication's effectiveness. By avoiding high-fat meals and limiting alcohol, excessive caffeine, and processed foods, you can minimize potential side effects and maximize your progress. A balanced diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, and fiber, combined with adequate hydration and a regular exercise routine, will create the ideal environment for Contrave to work as intended. Always consult your healthcare provider to tailor your diet plan and address any concerns regarding food interactions. The official FDA prescribing information can provide additional detail on drug interactions.

Note: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always discuss dietary changes with your healthcare provider before and during your Contrave treatment.

Official FDA Prescribing Information for Contrave

Frequently Asked Questions

It is best to avoid or significantly limit high-fat meals throughout the day, not just when taking your dose. The overall dietary goal is to support weight loss and avoid potential medication interactions. A high-fat meal can still increase systemic drug exposure and gastrointestinal side effects.

A high-fat meal includes items such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products like cheese and heavy cream, pastries, and rich sauces. Even healthier high-fat foods like large portions of avocado or nut butter should be moderated.

Drinking alcohol while on Contrave is risky because it can increase your sensitivity to alcohol, lead to adverse neuropsychiatric effects, and increase your risk of seizures. It can also interfere with your weight loss progress due to added calories.

Moderate consumption of coffee or green tea is generally acceptable, but excessive intake should be avoided. The stimulating effects of high doses of caffeine combined with bupropion can increase the risk of side effects like insomnia, anxiety, and seizures.

To manage nausea, try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Bland foods like crackers, dry toast, or bananas can be helpful. It's also wise to avoid overly spicy, acidic, or fried foods that can irritate your stomach.

You do not need to avoid all sugar, but limiting refined sugar intake is highly recommended. Sugary foods and drinks add empty calories and can cause blood sugar fluctuations that undermine your weight loss efforts.

You can take Contrave with or without food, but you should not take it with a high-fat meal. For many, taking the medication with a balanced meal can help manage gastrointestinal side effects like nausea.