I have trouble sleeping and a friend offered me one.
Does mirtazapine help you sleep?
Question posted by broom on 11 June 2009
Last updated on 4 December 2023
22 Answers
Official Answer by Drugs.com
12 June 2009
Mirtazapine is used mainly for the treatment of depression. Feeling sleepy is a very common side effect, which is why some people find that it helps them sleep. Insomnia and abnormal dreams have also been reported as side effects.
medfacts
17 Aug 2010
I was started on mirtazapine a week ago. The Dr. said it might take awhile to be effective. He thought it would help with depression as well as insomnia. About how long does it take for this drug to be effective?
pauline54
19 Feb 2011
ive been using, this drug for about 2 years, 30mg at night, it does help me to sleep, but also affects my wieght, and i often have panic attacks, and feel dizzy, my gp wont give anything else. i dont like being out by myself at all.
infinitee
9 May 2011
I started on 30mg of Mirtazon . I was prescribed it for depression and sleep deprivation ( up to 5 days with nil sleep ). I began with a full tablet and within 2 hours I became extremely drowsy, with slurred speech and wobbliness. For 40 hours I could barely get food and a drink due to extreme sleepiness. I cut it back to 1/4 tablet and 2 months later I've got up to 1/2 tablet. The sleepiness comes on in an hour and I still feel sleepy until midday... but...
DOES IT HELP ME SLEEP? YES ! (After 2 hours of Restless Leg Syndrome) I sleep better than ever, including normal REM. Even after I dont use it daily anymore I'll keep a couple for times when I need to get a good night sleep. It works for me because it QUIETS THE MIND CHATTER and has a sedating effect.
Although my dose isn't high enough to have an anti-depressant effect - I feel happier because of improved sleep quality, and less anxiety about not sleeping.
coonhound29406
31 Jan 2013
I started on zoloft(100mg) and mirtazapine(30mg) abt 2 mths ago. I have insomnia. and depression. I was prescribed mirtazapine for sleep but it doesn't work for me. Do I have to reach a therapeutic blood level before it starts working?
ZannaLeeBayBee
28 Jan 2018
I find that after it was in my system I could go with out it and have no withdraw but at the time my dr was tryin alot of diff things out to see what worked..horrible time. The only thing with Mirtazepine was it gave me the munchies and didnt make me sleepy. It was only when id lay down finally turning the tv and all that I would about an hour later fall asleep..but i would stay in deep sleep longer and feel rested. I ended up bein put on seroquel 100 mg at night. Its been a life saver. It makes me sleepy in 30 mins..i got mild munchies at first but not as bad as other sleep meds. I dont get resless leg n i can take so much of a tablet now almost like i have figured out how many mgs will keep me asleep for x amount of time. For those early mornings n late nights ill take a half or less..i dont feel groggy like other meds. It just relaxes me n i find my nervous anxiety n nervous energy i carry is now on a minimum through out my work day and such.
It helps so much w your overall happiness and health to just get good rest and rest easy knowin you can have a good night sleep whenever you need it. My issues were anxiety n sleeplessness was a major factor in wether my anxiety was up or down. I have serveral friends that have had major success with it for sleep alone. Turned out 4 of the girls i work with were also takin it we found out during a random conversation. I didnt know it was so widely known.i dont know your medical history nor am i medical professional. But if its a good night sleep ur after
Inactive
15 April 2018
Yes, but it works on low dosage only 15mg. I have been taming for 3 years.
Geoffro7
18 June 2021
I have been on 15mg for two weeks now and feel oh so tired and have a struggle to get up in the mornings.When I do finally rise feel like a zombie. Can anyone out there please tell me that these symptoms improve please???
audioinside
5 Dec 2023
I started with half a 15mg (ie, 7.5mg) for insomnia and while it knocked me out at night it really whacked me out during the day - I felt like a zombie when I woke up and had to take a nap about 4pm. I kept at it for 3 nights before I called it quits.
This stuff has a half-life of up to 40 hours, and 2 nights after quitting it I had the best sleep I'd had in months. I started to wonder if the small amount that was still in my system was actually a better dose...
Now I'm taking about 1.5mg (split or shaved off a 7.5mg pill) and this seems like the perfect dosage: it puts me to sleep, keeps me asleep and while I can be a little slow to wake up it doesn't have the radical zombie effect and afternoon crash I was experiencing before.
My sleep MD says she's never had a patient report that this small of a dose was effective ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Fedup100
25 March 2019
I am going to be flying over to Europe on an overnight flight. I have been taking mirtazapine 30mg for 9 months. I was not going to take my pill as I am concerned I would sleep to long on the flight. Would missing one dose create any problems for me?
WildcatVet
25 March 2019
Missing one dose would probably not be a problem unless you are very sensitive. A few people will begin to experience discontinuation symptoms after missing even one dose: irritability, nausea, dizziness, headache, etc.
How about taking just 1/2 of your usual dose?
ScrewyLouey
13 Feb 2019
It does, at least at the lower to middle doses. Unfortunately, it also made me eat everything in the kitchen that wasn’t bolted down and put on an incredible amount of weight.
6868Dove
6 Feb 2019
I does help me sleep but I suffer from excessive sweating in taking it
TeddyBBGun
6 Nov 2018
It definitely helps with sleeping. I'm getting up in the morning now. It's weird getting to sleep at a normal hour. I don't know what to do with myself. I'm retired and I have had persistent insomnia and restless leg syndrome.
The side effects are increased appetite. I've never had a belly before and my face is already round. I'm also v lethargic. Takes such effort to walk the dog.
I think I'm gong to come off them as I have suffered from Body Dysmorphia on and off for years. I also notice that I'm becoming bad tempered. I'm not that sort of person. It's not worth the good night sleep I'm getting.
audioinside
5 Dec 2023
Try what would be considered a subclinical dose and see if it is still effective for your insomnia. I found the mirtazapine sweet spot at around 1-1.5mg - yes, a tiny amount! - and I am not experiencing daytime side effects nor noticeable increase in appetite.
Nitro061
31 Oct 2018
Yes this and trazodone are typically prescribed for a sleeping aid
WildcatVet
28 Oct 2018
Yes, drowsiness is one side effect but there are many other side effects that you don't want to deal with:
"Commonly reported side effects of mirtazapine include: severe sedation, constipation, drowsiness, increased serum cholesterol, weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, increased appetite, xerostomia, and decreased appetite. Other side effects include: dizziness, increased serum triglycerides, tremor, dyspepsia, hot flash, palpitations, vertigo, abnormal dreams, bitter taste, decreased libido, and diaphoresis."
If you're having trouble sleeping try melatonin or ask your doctor for professional advice. You should NEVER take a medication that wasn't prescribed for YOU.
Pupadupa
28 Oct 2018
Yes, extremely good!
amyluv
19 Oct 2017
Consider mirtazapine if you have intractable insomnia. I'm a recovering alcoholic and my sleep patterns got thoroughly screwed up during my drinking years. mirtazapine 30 milligrams provides the most natural sleep I have ever had in my life. I sleep for eight hours and wake refreshed the way I did when I was teenager. It's so much better than benzos. Doctors may be reluctant to prescribe because of the chance of weight gain. I did gain weight because it gave me the munchies. But it leveled off at about a 7-pound gain. But it did level off!!! And you may feel completely zonked for the first two or three days. It's a good idea to start on the weekend. But again, the extreme drowsiness did disappear after a few days for me.
mirtazapine has truly been a wonder drug for me. Please consider it if you have persistent insomnia.
leef71
25 Nov 2017
ive been on zopliclone for 9yrs at 15mg my doctor was surprised it still made me sleep 10hrs
then 1 yr on 30 mg making me sleep only 5-6. he has me now on mirtzapine but only starting me at 7.5 mg. he says lower dose makes u sleep longer. tonight is my first night and i am worried this will not work
any ideas?
Spatooch
4 Sep 2017
Yes. But every day I wake I have a headache!! I don't like this although I would much rather suffer through headaches then having so much trouble sleeping!
Kendra33
28 April 2017
Can any1 tell me if u can take zopiclone with 15mg of mirtazapine please dr said i can take them with promethazine but not sure about zopi havnt had mirtazapine since 2014 n cant rem thanks
Redvelvet19
7 May 2017
Hey Kendra33,
I was on Zopiclone for my severe insomnia would get max 4 hours asleep over 3 days. My doctor suggested not to take the Zopiclone and Mirtazapine together as they can make you a hella lot suicidal. He told me I had to choose which one I wanted to take that night.
Kendra33
8 May 2017
Ok thank you stopped taking them they making me ill
Robbinsj
6 Oct 2016
Yes I take 15mg and have been for 1 wk for chronic insomnia. I was a FIFO worker for 5 yrs. It has definitely helped me get my sleep pattern back.
vet4freedom
5 Sep 2016
I been taking 22.5 of mirtazapine for PTSD . I been taking this over a month . im still not sleeping and I have no appetite . PLEASE HELP !
Bettyboopjo
21 Nov 2012
I've been on these tablets for roughly a year, I lost my 17 year old brother to a tragic accident, which resulted in me being unable to sleep. At 1st I would only take them when I couldn't sleep, but then I split with my husband after 11 years, and the dr told me that they were an anti-depressent and should be taken them regularly. For the last 3 months I've taken them every night, they have always helped me to sleep, but the last 2-3 weeks I'm waking up in the middle of the night, and it has taken me longer to fall asleep to. I am only on the 15mg and am wondering either to come off these tablets, or go and ask for a stronger dose, but I've read on here that it increases your appetite, which I am forever eating, and struggle to lose weight already. I also feel tired all the time. Don't know what to do for the best! Help please x
Inactive
21 Nov 2012
Hello Bettyboojo. Your question is considered to be an answer, and will not show up to the other members of the site. It will show up to the people (via e-mail notification) that you see above also answered the original question. You might go back, (you'll have to resubmit what you posted here, and enter it as a question.I'll add my thoughts, to what you just asked, I would increase the dose. My dose is high. I take 135mg of mirtazapine. Its split into three pills/tablets. I am as I stated in my answer, a severe insomniac. And yes, weight gain is a ongoing issue for me.
Related topics
insomnia, sleep disorders, mirtazapine
Further information
- Mirtazapine uses and safety info
- Mirtazapine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Mirtazapine (detailed)
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