As debate continues over the cost and sustainability of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, a new direct-to-consumer campaign is spotlighting a different angle: unfiltered stories from patients navigating life with obesity.

Currax Pharmaceuticals, the company behind the branded oral weight loss medication Contrave, has launched a national initiative called ‘Real Patients, Real Results,’ designed to foreground the voices of people using the treatment to manage cravings and weight.

The campaign features video diaries and testimonials shared across social platforms, paired with a broader connected TV (CTV) campaign aimed at improving awareness and access to non-GLP-1 options.

The launch comes amid growing frustration around the affordability of injectable therapies such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, and a rise in demand for alternatives that patients can access long term.

“GLP-1s finally helped me lose weight after years of trying everything, but I couldn’t afford to stay on them. I was terrified I’d lose all the progress I made,” said Brian T, a 67-year-old from Kansas City who now takes Contrave.

“I’m sharing my story because I know I’m not alone. People like me, especially seniors, deserve real, affordable solutions—not just short-term hope.”

Currax says the campaign is rooted in a national survey it sponsored of more than 1,000 adults living with overweight or obesity. The results found that 92% of respondents view weight loss as about more than just numbers on a scale—it’s about improving confidence and mobility. The survey also found that 87% experience regular food cravings, with over half wishing they could think about food less often.

“Weight loss is personal. These stories reflect the impact obesity has on millions of people worldwide and the strength and challenges of the people behind them,” said Derrick Gastineau, head of marketing at Currax.

“We believe sharing these personal stories is one of the most meaningful ways to reach and support others on similar paths.”

The initial cohort of patient ambassadors includes three adults from different parts of the US, with more profiles expected later this year. Their video stories and updates are being shared on platforms including Reddit, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, and hosted at SaveOnContrave.com. The initiative complements the company’s CTV campaign, which now reaches more than 70% of US households.

Contrave contains naltrexone and bupropion, and is the most widely prescribed oral branded therapy for weight management in the US. The launch of this campaign positions the drug not only as an alternative for those priced out of GLP-1 options, but as part of a broader shift in how pharma brands approach consumer engagement.