Currax Announces ObesityWeek® Data Showing that CONTRAVE® Helps Curb Cravings and Offers Marked Effectiveness in Certain Populations with Obesity

Data to be shared during an ObesityWeek press conference include four of seven presentations supporting CONTRAVE and its utility in helping people lose weight 

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC ("Currax"), a pharmaceutical company that delivers life-changing medicines to patients with chronic, progressive diseases, today announced that leading obesity experts will share critical data highlighting the utility of CONTRAVE^® (naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl) to help control cravings and its effectiveness with certain subpopulations. The data, unveiled today and to be included in the ObesityWeek^® 2025 press conference on November 5^th, were among seven presentations showing the benefits of CONTRAVE, an oral, non-GLP-1 weight loss medication. These presentations are being shared during the annual conference of The Obesity Society, held Nov. 4-7 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Data to be presented by Dr. Robert F. Kushner, Professor Emeritus of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, show that treatment with CONTRAVE led to improved craving control throughout treatment when compared to placebo. Reduction in baseline cravings was sustained throughout the 56-week treatment timeline and were greatest at eight weeks. 

When compared to placebo, patients treated with CONTRAVE showed significant improvements in positive mood, reduced cravings for savory foods, and overall greater control of cravings. The study further showed that patients taking CONTRAVE had an average weight loss of 9.5% at 56 weeks compared to 2.7% for placebo (p <0.0001).

"Food cravings can create a significant challenge for people looking to lose weight,^1,2 and research shows that being able to reduce food cravings can lead to greater weight loss and an improved ability to maintain that weight loss.^2,3 These studies examine the ways in which treatments such as CONTRAVE may expand current therapeutic options through greater understanding of both behavioral and biological determinants of weight management," said Michael Kyle, M.D., SVP, Chief Medical Officer of Currax Pharmaceuticals. "The studies we have conducted reaffirm CONTRAVE as a critical oral treatment option for obesity."

Researchers also found that CONTRAVE may offer greater utility to certain subgroups of patients, including:

• Dr. Donna Ryan, Professor Emerita at Pennington Biomedical in Baton Rouge, La., found that in patients without type 2 diabetes, adherence to CONTRAVE treatment was associated with better weight-related outcomes. Among those who completed treatment and were ≥90% adherent to medication at week 56, nearly half lost ≥10% of their body weight, 34% reached BMI <30 kg/m² and 24% reached a healthy waist circumference.
   
• Dr. Caroline Apovian, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, found that CONTRAVE improved weight loss in participants with symptoms of mild to moderate depression, more than double those assigned to placebo after 56 weeks of treatment. Importantly, use of CONTRAVE did not raise any unique safety concerns in this population.
   
• Dr. Christopher Still, Professor of Medicine at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Danville, Pa., found that in patients who smoked, treatment with CONTRAVE led to greater reductions in both body weight and self-reported smoking compared with placebo, with 47.8% of those treated with CONTRAVE reducing their smoking by week eight. Quitting nicotine is often a trigger for weight gain, so these results are highly clinically relevant. Patients who smoked and took CONTRAVE also reported significant improvements in mood in relation to time of day and quality of life related to self-consciousness, self-esteem, and productivity compared with placebo.

"Obesity is a multifactorial condition, and it requires a tailored approach for each person who walks through the door seeking help," Dr. Ryan said. "By understanding who is most likely to benefit from CONTRAVE and how it can support certain people we are able to create the right treatment plan for the right patient."

About Currax

Currax is a specialty pharmaceutical company that pursues transformative therapies for chronic conditions like obesity. Combining innovative advancements with compassionate care, Currax delivers therapies that are designed to inspire hope and offer life-changing outcomes. Currax's flagship product, CONTRAVE^® (naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl), reflects the company's commitment to provide therapies that offer unmatched versatility and utility. Learn more at www.curraxpharma.com

About CONTRAVE:

CONTRAVE^®, is an extended-release fixed dose combination of naltrexone and bupropion (naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl) indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. For full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide, please visit www.contrave.com.

What is CONTRAVE?
CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help some adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off.

CONTRAVE should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

It is not known if CONTRAVE changes your risk of heart problems or stroke or of death due to heart problems or stroke.

It is not known if CONTRAVE is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight-loss products.

CONTRAVE is not approved to treat depression or other mental illnesses, or to help people quit smoking (smoking cessation).

Please see Full Prescribing Information , including Medication Guide , for CONTRAVE.

IMPORTANT SAFTEY INFORMATION

CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects including:
Suicidal thoughts or actions: One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion. Bupropion has caused some people to have suicidal thoughts or actions or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medicines used to treat depression. Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. If you already have depression or other mental illnesses, taking bupropion may cause it to get worse, especially within the first few months of treatment.

While taking CONTRAVE, you or your family members should pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when you start taking CONTRAVE or when your dose changes.

Stop taking CONTRAVE and call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family members notice any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempts to commit suicide; depression; anxiety; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; irritability; aggression, anger, or violence; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking; other unusual changes in behavior or mood; trouble sleeping.

CONTRAVE is not approved for use in children under the age of 18.

Do not take CONTRAVE if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; have or have had seizures; use other medicines that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN, WELLBUTRIN SR, WELLBUTRIN XL, APLENZIN and ZYBAN; have or have had an eating disorder called anorexia or bulimia; are dependent on opioid pain medicines or use medicines to help stop taking opioids, or are in opiate withdrawal; drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, or use medicines called sedatives (these make you sleepy), benzodiazepines, or anti‐seizure medicines and stop using them all of a sudden; are taking or have taken medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the past 14 days; or are allergic to any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have: depression or other mental illnesses; attempted suicide; seizures; head injury; tumor or infection of brain or spine; low blood sugar or low sodium; liver or kidney problems; high blood pressure; heart attack, heart problems, or stroke; eating disorder; drinking a lot of alcohol; prescription medicine or street drug abuse; are 65 or older; diabetes; pregnant or planning to become pregnant; or breastfeeding.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

CONTRAVE may cause serious side effects, including:

• Seizures. There is a risk of having a seizure when you take CONTRAVE. The risk of seizure is higher in people who take higher doses of CONTRAVE, have certain medical conditions, or take CONTRAVE with certain other medicines. Do not take any other medicines while you are taking CONTRAVE unless your healthcare provider has said it is okay to take them. If you have a seizure while taking CONTRAVE, stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider right away.
• Risk of opioid overdose. Do not take large amounts of opioids, including opioid-containing medicines, such as heroin or prescription pain pills, to try to overcome the opioid-blocking effects of naltrexone. This can lead to serious injury, coma, or death.
  Get emergency medical help right away if you take opioids and you:
• have trouble breathing
• become very drowsy with slowed breathing
• have slow, shallow breathing
• feel faint, very dizzy, confused, or have unusual symptoms
• Sudden opioid withdrawal. People who take CONTRAVE must not use any type of opioid, including street drugs, prescription pain medicines, cough, cold, or diarrhea medicines that contain opioids, or opioid dependence treatments, for at least 7 to 10 days before starting CONTRAVE. Using opioids in the 7 to 10 days before you start taking CONTRAVE may cause you to suddenly have symptoms of opioid withdrawal when you take it. Sudden opioid withdrawal can be severe, and you may need to go to the hospital. Tell your healthcare provider you are taking CONTRAVE before a medical procedure or surgery.
• Severe allergic reactions. Stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
• Increases in blood pressure or heart rate. Some people may get high blood pressure or have a higher heart rate when taking CONTRAVE. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure and heart rate before you start taking, and while you take CONTRAVE.
• Liver damage or hepatitis. Stop taking CONTRAVE and tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems: stomach area pain lasting more than a few days, dark urine, yellowing of the whites of your eyes, or tiredness. Your healthcare provider may need to stop treating you with CONTRAVE if you get signs or symptoms of a serious liver problem.
• Manic episodes. Bupropion can cause some people who were manic or depressed in the past to become manic or depressed again.
• Visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma). Signs and symptoms may include: eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around the eye. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you are at risk for angle‐closure glaucoma and to get treatment to prevent it if you are at risk.
• Increased risk of low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also take medicines to treat their diabetes (such as insulin or sulfonylureas). You should check your blood sugar before you start taking CONTRAVE and while you take CONTRAVE.

The most common side effects of CONTRAVE include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, and diarrhea. These are not all of the possible side effects of CONTRAVE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatchor call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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1. Cameron JD, et al. Annu Rev Nutr. 2017;37:183-205.
2. Dalton M, et al. Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(8):1232-6.
3. Alfouzan NW, et al. Physiol Behav. 2025;291:114813.

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SOURCE Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC