Naltrexone for Weight Loss: How It Works, Benefits, and What to Expect

If you’re frustrated with food cravings and want to try a medication to help manage your weight, you’ve probably seen Naltrexone for weight loss mentioned online.

Yes, it’s being used in many clinics. But here's the issue: Naltrexone alone isn’t approved for weight loss. However, when combined with another drug called bupropion (in a brand called Contrave), there’s solid evidence that it helps reduce appetite and control cravings.

Does Naltrexone Work for Weight Loss?

It is important to note, Naltrexone for weight loss on its own is not FDA-approved. However, when combined with bupropion in a formulation known as Contrave, it has received FDA approval for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese and have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. The combination works on the brain's hunger and reward pathways to help reduce appetite and control cravings.

Let’s break it down clearly. There’s a difference between anecdotal success and clinical evidence.

Real-World Results from Clinics (Not Just Lab Trials)

In a study, 97 patients used the Contrave combo with lifestyle changes. Results were strong:

• 7.9% weight loss at 3 months

• 10.3% at 6 months

• 11.5% by 12 months

• Only 3.6% gained weight in the first 3 months

• More importantly, early results predicted long-term outcome:

76.8% of 12-month success was already visible by month 3 (R² = 0.768)
This shows why doctors often ask patients to give the medication for at least 12 weeks. No weight loss by then? They may switch your treatment.

Off-label Doesn’t Mean Risk-Free

Off-label use may seem harmless, especially if you find a doctor who will prescribe it. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right fit, or safe, for everyone.

Many who try weight loss with Naltrexone are also engaging in restrictive eating or overexercising, sometimes without realizing the overlap with disordered eating behaviors.

How Naltrexone Affects Cravings and Food Urges

Naltrexone is a prescription drug. It blocks opioid receptors in the brain. Originally used for alcohol and opioid addiction, it also impacts how we experience pleasure from eating, especially emotional eating.

When used with bupropion, which increases dopamine and norepinephrine, the two medicines work together to reduce hunger and cravings. Bupropion activates special neurons in your brain (called POMC neurons), while Naltrexone stops those neurons from shutting down.
This makes the brain feel full sooner, with less emotional reward from binge foods.

So if you tend to snack late at night, or eat when stressed or bored, this combo can help you feel more in control.

Naltrexone for Weight Loss: Dosage Guidelines

There’s no universal dose. But here’s a snapshot of typical dosing in a clinical setting:

Low dose naltrexone weight loss results vary. Many people try LDN, but it’s not clinically proven for fat loss.

What Are the Risks of Naltrexone for Weight Loss?

Naltrexone may feel like a shortcut to appetite control. But it’s not without risk, especially if you’re already vulnerable to eating disorders or disordered thinking around food and weight.

Common Side Effects

• Nausea, headaches, dizziness

• Fatigue, mood swings

• Digestive upset (constipation or diarrhea)

• Muscle or joint pain

Serious Risks

• Hepatotoxicity (liver damage) in rare cases

• Depression, confusion, hallucinations

• Sleep disruption

• Risk of opioid overdose if relapse occurs while on the drug

Many also wonder: What are the side effects of taking Naltrexone for weight loss? It depends on the dose, your current health status, and other meds you may be on. But the emotional and psychological risks, especially in those with a history of restrictive eating, are often underplayed.

Who Should Avoid Naltrexone for Weight Loss?

You should avoid Naltrexone if you:

• Take opioids (painkillers, tramadol, codeine, etc.)

• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Had seizures or serious neurological problems

• Have liver disease

• Have a history of eating disorders like bulimia or binge-purge patterns

Always talk to a doctor. Just because it’s available doesn’t mean it’s the right path for everyone.

How Naltrexone Compares to Other Weight Loss Medications

If you’re evaluating options, here’s how Naltrexone vs other weight loss medications breaks down:

The contrave weight loss pill offers more consistent results than Naltrexone alone. It also comes with a structured dose, unlike the many variations used off-label.

Final Thoughts 

So, can you take Naltrexone for weight loss? Yes, but should you? That’s the better question.

When combined with bupropion in Contrave, the use is legal and monitored. But taking Naltrexone for weight loss on its own, especially without doctor guidance, can be risky, both physically and emotionally.

Talk with a professional about your options. Not every path to weight management needs to involve meds. And if it does, it should be part of a comprehensive care plan, not a solo experiment.