Contrave Australia: Cost, Side Effects & Prescription
TL;DR
Contrave is a TGA registered oral weight loss tablet available in Australia on a private prescription. It combines naltrexone and bupropion to reduce appetite and food cravings. A 28 day supply typically costs between $100 and $200 depending on the pharmacy and pack size. Contrave is not currently listed on the PBS, so there is no government subsidy. Your GP or a telehealth doctor can prescribe it if you meet the BMI eligibility criteria. Common side effects include nausea, constipation, and headache. This guide covers everything Australian patients need to know before starting Contrave.
What Is Contrave and How Does It Work?
Contrave is a prescription oral tablet that contains two active ingredients: naltrexone hydrochloride (8 mg) and bupropion hydrochloride (90 mg) in an extended release formulation. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has registered Contrave on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) for chronic weight management in adults.
The two ingredients target different pathways in the brain. Bupropion acts on the hypothalamus, the brain region that controls appetite and energy balance. Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the mesolimbic reward system, which is the pathway responsible for food cravings and reward driven eating. Together, these mechanisms address both biological hunger signals and behavioural food cravings.
Contrave is classified as a Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) medicine under Australian law. It cannot be purchased over the counter. A doctor must assess your health profile and confirm eligibility before issuing a prescription.
How Much Does Contrave Cost in Australia?
Contrave costs between $100 and $200 per month in Australia because it is only available as a private prescription. The exact price depends on the pharmacy, the pack size (28 or 112 tablets), and whether you use an online or in store pharmacy.
Contrave is not currently listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means there is no government subsidy, and patients pay the full retail price. Some pharmacies offer loyalty programs or price matching that can reduce the cost slightly.
For comparison, injectable GLP 1 weight loss medications such as Wegovy (semaglutide) cost between $350 and $450 per month on a private prescription, and Ozempic used off label for weight loss costs between $130 and $220 per month. Contrave is the most affordable TGA approved prescription weight loss option currently available in Australia. For a detailed breakdown of Wegovy pricing, see our guide to Wegovy pricing in Australia.
At major pharmacy chains including Chemist Warehouse, Priceline Pharmacy, and TerryWhite Chemmart, a box of Contrave 8/90 mg (112 tablets, approximately a 28 day supply at maintenance dose) is typically priced between $130 and $180.
Who Is Eligible for a Contrave Prescription in Australia?
Contrave is approved for adult patients aged 18 and older who meet specific Body Mass Index (BMI) criteria. Your doctor will assess whether the medication is appropriate based on your individual health profile.
The TGA approved eligibility criteria require one of the following: a BMI of 30 or greater (classified as obese), or a BMI of 27 to 29.9 (classified as overweight) with at least one weight related comorbidity such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, or controlled hypertension.
Contrave is not suitable for everyone. Your doctor will screen for contraindications including uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of seizure disorders, current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, severe liver or kidney impairment, and current opioid use or opioid dependence.
No specialist referral is required. Your regular GP or a telehealth doctor with prescribing authority can assess your eligibility and write the prescription. At HolisticChem, our medically supervised weight loss programs include access to registered GPs who can evaluate whether Contrave is right for you.
What Are the Side Effects of Contrave?
The most commonly reported side effects of Contrave are gastrointestinal and neurological in nature. Clinical trial data published by the TGA shows that nausea is the most frequent side effect, affecting up to 33% of patients in the first few weeks of treatment. This typically decreases as the body adjusts to the medication.
Common side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 patients) include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, and diarrhoea. Less common side effects (affecting 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 patients) include increased heart rate, changes in taste, hot flushes, tremor, and abdominal pain.
Contrave carries a precautionary note regarding neuropsychiatric effects. Because bupropion is also used as an antidepressant, regulatory agencies monitor for changes in mood, behaviour, or suicidal ideation, particularly in younger adults. Your prescribing doctor will discuss this with you and schedule appropriate follow up appointments.
The gradual dose escalation schedule (starting with one tablet daily and increasing to two tablets twice daily over four weeks) is specifically designed to minimise side effects. If side effects persist beyond the initial adjustment period, consult your prescribing doctor.
How to Get a Contrave Prescription in Australia
Getting a Contrave prescription in Australia involves three straightforward steps: a medical consultation, a prescription, and dispensing at a pharmacy.
Step 1: Book a consultation. You can see your regular GP in person or book an online telehealth consultation. At HolisticChem, you can book a consultation through our telehealth partner at holisticahealth.com.au. The doctor will review your medical history, current medications, BMI, and previous weight loss attempts.
Step 2: Receive your prescription. If the doctor determines Contrave is appropriate, they will issue an electronic prescription (e script). This is a private script, not a PBS prescription. The e script can be sent directly to your phone via SMS or email.
Step 3: Fill the prescription. Take the e script to any Australian pharmacy, or upload it to an online pharmacy for home delivery. HolisticChem offers prescription dispensing with Australia wide delivery via Australia Post Express, typically arriving within 1 to 3 business days. Call us on 03 8204 6600 or message us on WhatsApp at 0403 545 543 to discuss your prescription.
Contrave Dosing Schedule: What to Expect in the First Four Weeks
Contrave uses a gradual dose escalation over four weeks to reduce the risk of side effects. The TGA approved dosing schedule is as follows.
Week 1: One tablet in the morning. Week 2: One tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening. Week 3: Two tablets in the morning and one tablet in the evening. Week 4 onwards (maintenance dose): Two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening. Each tablet contains naltrexone 8 mg and bupropion 90 mg. The maximum daily dose is four tablets (naltrexone 32 mg and bupropion 360 mg).
Tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, cut, or chewed. They can be taken with or without food, although taking them with food may help reduce nausea. Avoid taking Contrave with high fat meals, as this can increase bupropion absorption and raise the risk of seizure.
Your doctor should review your progress after 16 weeks. If you have not lost at least 5% of your initial body weight by that point, the TGA recommends discontinuing treatment, as continued use is unlikely to produce meaningful results.
Contrave vs Ozempic vs Wegovy: Which Weight Loss Medication Is Right for You?
Australian patients now have several TGA approved prescription options for medically supervised weight loss. The three most commonly discussed are Contrave, Ozempic (used off label), and Wegovy. Each works differently and suits different patient profiles.
Contrave is an oral tablet taken twice daily. It does not require injections, which makes it a preferred option for patients who are uncomfortable with needles. Clinical trials show an average weight loss of 5% to 10% of body weight over 12 months. It costs $100 to $200 per month on a private prescription.
Ozempic (semaglutide 1 mg) is a weekly injectable originally approved for type 2 diabetes. When prescribed off label for weight loss, patients typically lose 10% to 15% of body weight. It costs $130 to $220 per month. For more details on how to access Ozempic in Australia, read our Ozempic and Wegovy prescriptions guide.
Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is the higher dose formulation of semaglutide approved specifically for weight management. Clinical trials show average weight loss of 15% to 17%. It costs $350 to $450 per month on a private script. Wegovy may become partially PBS subsidised in the future for patients with cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 35 or higher.
The right choice depends on your budget, tolerance for injections, weight loss goals, and medical history. Your GP or telehealth doctor can help you evaluate which option fits your situation. HolisticChem supports patients on all three medications through our compounding pharmacy services and prescription dispensing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contrave in Australia
Is Contrave available on the PBS in Australia?
No. Contrave is not currently listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. Patients pay the full private prescription price, which typically ranges from $100 to $200 per month depending on the pharmacy and pack size. There has been no public announcement from the PBS Advisory Committee regarding a future listing.
Can I get Contrave without a prescription in Australia?
No. Contrave is a Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) medicine under Australian law. A registered doctor must assess your eligibility and issue a prescription before any pharmacy can dispense it. Telehealth consultations are a convenient option for obtaining a prescription without visiting a clinic in person.
How long does it take for Contrave to start working?
Most patients begin to notice reduced appetite and fewer food cravings within the first two to four weeks of treatment, as the dose gradually increases to the maintenance level. Measurable weight loss typically becomes apparent after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use combined with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Can I take Contrave if I have depression or anxiety?
Bupropion, one of Contrave's active ingredients, is also prescribed as an antidepressant under the brand name Zyban. If you are currently taking antidepressant medication, your doctor will need to assess potential drug interactions before prescribing Contrave. Do not start or stop any medication without consulting your prescribing doctor.
What happens if Contrave does not work for me?
The TGA recommends that treatment be discontinued after 16 weeks if you have not achieved at least 5% weight loss from your starting body weight. Your doctor can then discuss alternative options, which may include GLP 1 injectable medications such as Wegovy or Ozempic, or other medically supervised weight management approaches.
Next Steps: Talk to a Doctor About Contrave
Contrave offers Australian adults a non injectable, TGA approved prescription option for medically supervised weight management. It is the most affordable prescription weight loss medication currently available in Australia, and it does not require a specialist referral.
If you are considering Contrave or want to compare it with GLP 1 medications, speak with a registered doctor who can assess your eligibility and explain the benefits and risks based on your individual health profile.
Book a consultation through HolisticChem's telehealth service, upload your existing e script for dispensing, or speak directly with our pharmacist team. Call 03 8204 6600 or message us on WhatsApp at 0403 545 543.