How To Take Mysimba
If you’re struggling to lose weight with diet and exercise alone, but are unsure about resorting to needles, weight loss tablets might be the solution. Mysimba is one such medication, containing two active ingredients, whereas most have only one. Originally licensed for substance addiction, the treatment was also found to be suitable for obesity.
When considering a particular medication, it’s natural to want to research factors such as how long it takes to work and how long side effects may last. This is to help you determine whether the treatment might be a suitable aid to your weight loss journey.
Understanding how to administer the medication is also essential, with important topics including how many tablets to take, when it’s best to take them, and any restrictions on suitability. That’s where this article can help.
Join us as we explore how to take Mysimba, the dosage schedule, and answer some frequently asked questions.
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What Does Mysimba Do?
Mysimba is a prescription-only weight loss treatment that can help adults with obesity or those who are overweight with weight-related medical conditions to lose weight alongside a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise. Mysimba comes in tablet form, containing 8 mg of naltrexone hydrochloride and 90 mg of bupropion hydrochloride.
Naltrexone and bupropion act on brain regions that regulate appetite, energy balance, and the pleasurable sensations you experience when you eat. In doing so, Mysimba keeps you feeling fuller for longer and blocks specific signals in the brain's reward system, further lowering your appetite and making it easier to stick to healthy lifestyle changes.
How to Take Mysimba Tablets
Mysimba tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, and ideally with food to help minimise the chance of side effects. The tablets are prolonged-release, meaning they release the active ingredients into your body over an extended period. You mustn't break, crush, or chew them, as this could affect how they work.
It is recommended that you avoid or limit your alcohol intake while taking Mysimba, because mixing them can increase the chance of seizures and other mental disorder events.
Mysimba Dosage Information
Mysimba follows a dosage schedule to help your body get used to the medication. This is similar to other weight loss treatments, like Wegovy, whose dosage schedule increases over 17 weeks until you reach the maintenance dose, and Mounjaro’s 21-week dosage schedule.
Your Mysimba dosage should be gradually increased over 4 weeks. This reduces the risk of common side effects whilst your body adjusts to the medication.
How Many Mysimba Tablets Per Day?
You should take Mysimba every day, as follows:
Week | Number of Tablets | Dosage Schedule |
| Week 1 | 1 | 1 tablet in the morning |
| Week 2 | 2 | 1 tablets in the morning and 1 in the evening |
| Week 3 | 3 | 2 tablets in the morning and 1 in the evening |
| Week 4 onwards | 4 | 2 tablets in the morning and 2 in the evening |
When Should You Increase the Dose?
You should increase the dose by 1 unit each week, starting on the day you begin. For example, if you start taking Mysimba on a Monday, the next dose increase would be the following Monday.
Mysimba Dosage Considerations
There are several important factors to consider when taking Mysimba. One of those is to remain consistent with your dosage schedule to maximise its effectiveness and minimise side effects. Following your clinician’s instructions and sticking to the dosage schedule will not only help your body get used to the medication but also pave the way for successful weight loss.
Mysimba
- Reduces cravings & emotional eating
- Convenient, twice-daily oral treatment
- Proven weight loss results
When Is the Best Time to Take Mysimba?
MySimba should preferably be taken with food, as this reduces the chance of nausea and vomiting. It should be taken in the morning and evening, so you might want to take it with your first and last meal. It doesn’t matter if you take it before, during, or after eating.
Can You Take Mysimba at Night?
You can take Mysimba at any time in the evening or night, but preferably with food. Try to stick to around the same time each day.
How Often Should Mysimba Be Taken?
This depends on whether you are still on the titration dose or the standard dose. Once you reach the maximum dose, you should take it twice a day, every day.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you miss your Mysimba dose, skip it and carry on as normal when your next dose is due. Never take a double dose, as this could cause serious side effects.
What Should I Do If I’ve Taken More Than I Should?
If you’ve taken more Mysimba than you should, it could increase your chance of having serious side effects, such as a fit. Go to A&E or speak to a doctor immediately and take your medication packet with you.
Who Should Not Take Mysimba?
Mysimba is not suitable if you are:
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Under 18 or over 75
- Taking another medication containing bupropion or naltrexone
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, such as depression, speak to your doctor, as Mysimba may not be suitable. You should also inform your prescriber of all other medications that you’re taking, including herbal supplements, so they can determine whether the treatment is right for you.
How to Take Mysimba: Frequently Asked Questions
Mysimba is a convenient, easy-to-swallow weight loss medication. It can be a great alternative if injections aren't right for you, but it’s natural to have questions about how to take it and how it may interact with existing medications. Let’s answer those questions here, so you can decide if Mysimba is a suitable weight loss option for you.
Mysimba
- Reduces cravings & emotional eating
- Convenient, twice-daily oral treatment
- Proven weight loss results
Can You Take Mysimba on an Empty Stomach?
You can take Mysimba on an empty stomach, but it’s not recommended. Ideally, take your Mysimba dose with a meal or a light snack to help reduce the risk of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and constipation. Taking it with food can also help your body better absorb the active ingredients.
How Long Does it Take for Mysimba to Work?
Mysimba starts working as soon as you take the first tablet, and you may notice changes in your hunger and cravings within the first few days or weeks. However, it can take up to 16 weeks for you to fully notice significant weight loss.
If, after this time, you haven’t lost at least 5% of your starting weight, your clinician may suggest switching to an alternative weight loss medication. You can find out more in our guide ‘How Long Does Mysimba Take To Work?’
Can I Take Mysimba and Mounjaro Together?
No, you cannot take Mysimba and Mounjaro together due to safety concerns. Taking Mysimba and Mounjaro together increases the risk and severity of side effects, like nausea and diarrhoea. Although they work in different ways, Mysimba and Mounjaro target your appetite, so taking them together could lead to nutrient deficiencies.
If you think that Mysimba isn’t working for you, speak to your clinician about switching to Mounjaro or another weight loss medication. They can provide tips and support to help you get the most out of your treatment.
Can You Take Mysimba and Orlistat Together?
No, it is not recommended to take Mysimba and orlistat together because it is not safe to take more than one weight loss medication at a time. Combining these weight loss tablets can increase the risk and severity of side effects.
If you’re not sure which weight loss medication is right for you, our clinicians can help. They can advise you on which weight loss tablet or injection may be best suited to your individual circumstances.
Can I Take My ADHD Medication With My Mysimba?
You must tell the clinician before taking Mysimba about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you currently or plan to take, including any ADHD medication. Some off-label ADHD medications, like stimulants and antidepressants, can increase your risk of seizures. This can further increase if you combine them with Mysimba, which contains bupropion, a type of antidepressant.
Both Mysimba and ADHD medications can impact your blood pressure and heart rate. So, a clinician will need to monitor you carefully during treatment.
Can You Take Mysimba with Sertraline?
No, generally it is not advised to take Mysimba with sertraline because combining them can increase the risk of side effects. You should tell your clinician before taking Mysimba if you are taking sertraline, so they can decide what is best for you.
Can You Take Mysimba with Citalopram?
Yes, it may be possible to take Mysimba and citalopram together, but your clinician will need to monitor you closely because this combination can increase the risk of side effects. In some cases, a clinician may advise against taking these medications at the same time.
Combining them increases the risk of seizures and serotonin syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition that causes hallucination, agitation, high temperature, increased heart rate, and muscle stiffness. In most cases, a clinician will tell you not to take Mysimba at the same time as citalopram unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kick-Start Your Weight Loss Journey with Mysimba
Mysimba’s straightforward dosing schedule and the fact that it comes in tablet form instead of an injection make it a popular choice to help combat obesity. If you think the treatment may be suitable for you, Prescription Doctor should be your first port of call.
We’ve made the process of accessing healthcare as hassle-free as possible. With us, there’s no need for lengthy waiting times or face-to-face appointments. Just complete a brief online medical questionnaire, and our specialist clinicians will review your information to determine whether Mysimba is suitable for your circumstances. If not, an alternative solution may be recommended.
Everything dispatched from our General Pharmaceutical Council-registered dispensing pharmacy is sent in plain packaging that does not give away its contents, ensuring complete confidentiality. Orders approved before 3pm on a weekday are also eligible for next-day delivery, giving you fast access to your medication.
Our clinicians are available to provide support throughout your journey. You can get in touch whenever you need guidance, or they will regularly check in with you to monitor your progress and assess whether the treatment programme is working as it should. We are here to help you succeed.
Are you ready to kick-start your weight loss journey? Sign up for a Mysimba consultation today with Prescription Doctor.
Sources
EMC (2023): Mysimba 8 mg/90 mg Prolonged-release Tablets.
NHS (2023): Obesity Treatment.
NICE (2023): Naltrexone with Bupropion.
Authored By
Leanne Edermaniger
Medical Content WriterPublished on: 03/10/2023 Re-Published on: 19/01/2026
Reviewed By
Mohamed Imran Lakhi
MPharm - Lead PharmacistReviewed on: 19/01/2026
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