"i&#039;ve been on contrave for 7 months with 50 pounds of weight loss, in conjunction with a 1400-1600 calorie diet and exercise 30 minutes 4-5 days a week. for the first 4 months or so, it was so strong for me, that i only took one pill a day and it worked great. months 5 and 6 i moved up to 2 a day. doctor monitors me every month. she was fine with me taking a lower dose. she said you&#039;ll know when you need to increase your dose because eventually your body will become adjusted to the medication and you&#039;ll need to up the dose. i also had constipation the first two weeks, but i upped my fiber consumption and took miralax. i have had had no side effects since. starting weight 273. current weight 223."