I have trouble sleeping and a friend offered me one.
Answers (2)
Mirtazepine is used mainly for depression. It can also cause drowsiness which is why some people find that it helps them sleep. (Insomnia and abnormal dreams have also been reported as side effects.)
If you have trouble sleeping, it is probably best to see your own doctor and get a pill to suit you and your condition.
It certainly makes me sleep! I take 30mg a night and if I accidentally take one in morning instead of some of my other pills I can't keep eyes open and will fall asleep on feet and even into a plate of stew once!
However, there are other options that are probably better to try first so as to avoid having to take a new drug. Especially with mirtazapine which is somewhat "fattening" as I found to my cost....the 30 mins or so it takes to kick in when I'm lying in bed I'm so ravenous I can eat 1kg or more of galaxy, even on a full stomach. Fortunately I work out like mad so the impact hasn't been too severe.
Also, it doesn't do it for everyone - a family member of mine took some for a redeye flight and it didn't even make her a tiny bit sleepy.
So - it might work, it might not, but I'd head down the non-drug route first e.g. relaxation techniques, taped hypnosis etc and only after trying all that start thinking about discussing it with your doctor. I would be surprised if they chose mirtazapine as a hypnotic since its main indication is for depression...however all doctors are different!
Good luck in your insomnia war!
