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Naltrexone ER/bupropion ER in obesity management: a guide to its use

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Abstract

Oral naltrexone extended-release/bupropion extended-release (naltrexone ER/bupropion ER; Contrave®, Mysimba™) is an effective adjunct to reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic bodyweight management in adults who are either obese, or overweight with at least one bodyweight-related co-morbidity. It provides combination treatment with an opioid antagonist (naltrexone) and a weak dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (bupropion), which synergistically interact in the CNS to control appetite and food intake. In clinical trials in obese adults or overweight adults with controlled hypertension and/or dyslipidaemia (± type 2 diabetes), naltrexone ER/bupropion ER improved bodyweight-related outcomes to a significantly greater extent than placebo, and was generally well tolerated.

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Acknowledgments

The review was adapted from Drugs 2015;75(11):1269–80 [14], and was reviewed by: M. Hahn, Vitos Rheingau, Eltville, Germany; H. Kreckel, Clinic Pharmacy, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany; S. Saluja, Saran Ashram Hospital, Dayalbagh, Agra, India; R. B. Shah, Department of Pharmacology, GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India; A. P. Shukla, Division of Endocrinology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of naltrexone ER/bupropion ER was also offered an opportunity to review this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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  1. Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand

    Sarah L. Greig & Gillian M. Keating

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  1. Sarah L. Greig
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  2. Gillian M. Keating
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Correspondence to Sarah L. Greig.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

Conflicts of interest

S. Greig and G. Keating are salaried employees of Adis/Springer, are responsible for the article content and declare no relevant conflicts of interest.

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Greig, S.L., Keating, G.M. Naltrexone ER/bupropion ER in obesity management: a guide to its use. Drugs Ther Perspect 31, 417–424 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-015-0253-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-015-0253-6

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