Contrave Price: The 2026 Overview
Contrave is available in two forms, each with dramatically different pricing:
- Brand-name Contrave (Currax Pharmaceuticals): ~$700–$850/month retail
- Generic naltrexone-bupropion (multiple manufacturers since 2023): ~$80–$150/month with pharmacy discount programs
Availability of the generic varies by pharmacy. Not every location stocks it routinely — you may need to ask specifically or transfer to a pharmacy that carries it.
Contrave Cost Without Insurance
Cash-pay retail prices for brand Contrave (30-day supply, 120 tablets):
| Pharmacy | Brand Retail | With Discount Card |
|---|---|---|
| CVS | $780–$820 | $680–$720 |
| Walgreens | $750–$800 | $670–$710 |
| Walmart | $720–$780 | $640–$700 |
| Costco | $690–$740 | $620–$670 |
| Kroger / Publix | $740–$800 | $670–$720 |
Generic naltrexone-bupropion, if in stock, typically runs $80–$150/month with GoodRx, SingleCare, or direct pharmacy pricing. Prices change; check your specific pharmacy.
Contrave Cost With Insurance
Insurance coverage for weight loss medications is highly variable. Three tiers of outcomes:
Tier 1: Covered with copay ($30–$100/mo)
Some commercial plans cover Contrave as a preferred brand or generic. Typical copays: $30–$100/month for generic, $50–$150/month for brand after formulary application.
Tier 2: Prior authorization required
Most plans that cover Contrave require documentation of BMI ≥ 30 (or ≥ 27 with comorbidity), a documented trial of diet and exercise (often 6 months), and sometimes a prior trial of other medications.
Tier 3: Excluded
Many employer-sponsored plans explicitly exclude weight loss drugs. If your plan falls here, generic pricing via discount card is often the best path.
Contrave Coupons and Savings Cards
Manufacturer savings card
The Contrave manufacturer offers a savings card on contrave.com that reduces cost to as low as $99/month for eligible commercially insured patients. Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patients are not eligible.
GoodRx Contrave coupon
GoodRx price for brand Contrave typically runs $640–$720, with best prices at warehouse pharmacies. GoodRx for generic naltrexone-bupropion frequently drops to $60–$120/month.
SingleCare, WellRx, RxSaver
Competing discount networks — prices vary. Always check multiple networks before refilling.
Patient assistance programs
For uninsured patients who meet income criteria, the Currax patient assistance program may provide Contrave at reduced or no cost. Applications require physician submission.
Contrave GoodRx Pricing
GoodRx is one of the most-used discount programs for Contrave. Typical 2026 GoodRx prices:
- Brand Contrave: $640–$720/month, depending on pharmacy
- Generic naltrexone-bupropion: $60–$150/month
- Best prices: warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) and select independent pharmacies
- Worst prices: chain pharmacies in metro areas without competition
GoodRx coupons cannot be combined with insurance — you choose one or the other.
Contrave Price at Walmart
Walmart is typically mid-tier on brand Contrave pricing but competitive on generics. Typical 2026 Walmart cash pricing:
- Brand Contrave retail: ~$720–$800/month
- With GoodRx at Walmart: $640–$700/month
- Generic naltrexone-bupropion at Walmart: ~$80–$130/month with coupon
The Walmart $4/$10 list does not include Contrave or its generic. Always bring a discount card.
Generic Contrave: The Cheapest Option
FDA-approved generic naltrexone-bupropion 8 mg / 90 mg extended-release tablets became available in 2023. This is the same medication as brand Contrave — same active ingredients, same extended-release formulation, same FDA-approved indication — at a fraction of the price.
Why pharmacies don't always have it
- Lower margins vs. brand
- Inventory turnover is slower than major generics
- Some chains preferentially stock brand if formulary agreements favor it
How to get it
- Ask your prescriber to write "generic" or "dispense as written: generic permitted"
- Call pharmacies in advance to confirm stock
- Mail-order pharmacies (Express Scripts, OptumRx, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs) frequently stock generic naltrexone-bupropion at competitive prices
Contrave and Medicare / Medicaid
Medicare
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover outpatient drugs including Contrave. Medicare Part D plans generally exclude weight loss medications under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited coverage; check the 2026 formulary of your specific plan.
Medicaid
Medicaid coverage varies by state. As of 2026, approximately half of state Medicaid programs provide some coverage for anti-obesity medications, often with prior authorization. The other half exclude weight loss drugs entirely.
The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act
Legislation to authorize Medicare Part D coverage of weight loss medications has been proposed repeatedly but not enacted. Watch for updates if you are a Medicare beneficiary.
Buying Contrave Online
Contrave requires a U.S. prescription and can only be legally obtained through a licensed pharmacy. Buying "Contrave" from unverified international websites is illegal under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and carries serious product-authenticity risks.
Legitimate online pathways
- Telehealth platforms — licensed U.S. physicians evaluate eligibility and e-prescribe Contrave to a local pharmacy or mail-order pharmacy
- Mail-order from insurance — Express Scripts, OptumRx, Caremark
- Direct pharmacy sites — Amazon Pharmacy, CVS.com, Walmart Pharmacy
Red flags to avoid
- "Contrave from Canada" without a prescription
- No pharmacist listed, no U.S. state license
- Prices dramatically below $60/month for brand (counterfeit risk)
If generic Contrave still doesn't deliver results — this does:
- 15–22% weight loss (vs 5–8% Contrave)
- 1x weekly injection (vs 4 pills per day)
- No seizure risk, no black box warning
- From $179/month — delivered to your door
- Money-back guarantee
- 500,000+ patients. No insurance needed.
Contrave Cost-per-Pound: The Real Value Comparison
Raw monthly cost tells part of the story. Cost per pound of actual weight loss is the full picture.
| Medication | Cost / Month | 1-Year Loss (200-lb person) | Cost / Pound Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic Contrave | ~$100 | ~12 lbs | ~$100/lb |
| Brand Contrave | ~$750 | ~12 lbs | ~$750/lb |
| Compounded semaglutide | ~$199 | ~30 lbs | ~$80/lb |
| Wegovy (brand) | ~$1,350 | ~30 lbs | ~$540/lb |
| Zepbound (brand) | ~$1,060 | ~42 lbs | ~$300/lb |
Instead of Contrave (3.2/5), we recommend:
- 15–22% weight loss (vs 5–8% Contrave)
- 1x weekly injection (vs 4 pills per day)
- No seizure risk, no black box warning
- From $179/month — delivered to your door
- Money-back guarantee
- 500,000+ patients. No insurance needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Contrave cost without insurance?
Contrave brand typically costs $700–$850 per month without insurance at retail pharmacies. With the manufacturer savings card, eligible patients can pay as low as $99/month for a 30-day supply. Generic naltrexone-bupropion is considerably cheaper — approximately $80–$150/month at discount pharmacies.
How much is Contrave at Walmart?
Without a coupon, Contrave brand at Walmart typically runs $720–$800 for a 30-day supply. With GoodRx or similar discount programs, the price can drop to the $640–$700 range. Walmart often has the most competitive retail cash pricing of the major chains.
Is there a generic for Contrave?
Yes. An FDA-approved generic version of Contrave (naltrexone HCl / bupropion HCl 8 mg / 90 mg extended-release tablet) became available in 2023. Generic pricing at discount pharmacies ranges from $80–$150/month, compared to $700+ for the brand.
Does Medicare cover Contrave?
Generally, no. Medicare Part D plans typically do not cover weight loss medications, including Contrave. This is a statutory exclusion dating to the original Medicare Modernization Act. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited coverage. Check Medicare.gov plan finder for your specific plan.
Is Contrave covered by Aetna?
Aetna coverage for Contrave varies by plan. Most Aetna commercial plans require prior authorization (documented BMI, prior diet/exercise attempts, and often a trial of other weight loss medications). Some employer plans exclude weight loss drugs entirely. Check your specific plan's formulary.
Is Contrave covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Coverage varies dramatically by BCBS plan. Some BCBS plans cover Contrave with prior authorization; others exclude weight loss medications entirely. Generic naltrexone-bupropion may be covered when brand Contrave is not.
Does Kaiser cover Contrave?
Kaiser Permanente coverage depends on region and plan. In some regions, Contrave requires prior authorization through a bariatric or weight management pathway. Kaiser tends to favor behavioral programs before medication coverage for weight loss.
Can I buy Contrave online?
Yes, via licensed U.S. telehealth providers who can evaluate eligibility and prescribe Contrave. Contrave requires a prescription — it cannot be purchased legally over the counter in the U.S. Avoid international pharmacies selling "Contrave" without a U.S. prescription; product authenticity cannot be verified.
How do I get a Contrave coupon?
The Contrave manufacturer offers a savings card on contrave.com that can reduce the cost to as low as $99/month for commercially insured patients. GoodRx, SingleCare, and WellRx also offer discount coupons — generally more useful for patients without insurance.