Remeron - Hi all, I'm going to start on mirtazapine in the next few days. I'm in Australia, and the?

The recommended starting dose when treating depression is mirtazapine 15 mg, taken once daily at bedtime. The doc may increase the dosage if symptoms continue, or decrease the dose if side effects occur. The maximum recommended dose of mirtazapine is 45 mg per day.

It may take several weeks before the beneficial effects of mirtazapine are felt. Try not to be discouraged if the drug does not work right away for you.

Mirtazapine should be taken at the same times each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood. Because the medication usually causes drowsiness, it is generally best to take it in the evening before bedtime.

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Dizziness, weakness, and weight gain are among the most commonly reported mirtazapine side effects. Most people, however, have no problems. If side effects occur, they are often mild and easily treated. However, if you experience potentially serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, or signs of an allergic reaction, report them immediately to your doc or healthcare provider.

Hope the info helps? Please take care, be safe & well!

I have signed on here and made an account etc. to specifically tell people what worked for me and to warn of possible negative side effects and the attitudes of some GPs. I am also in Australia.
Like you I had a looong history of depression dating back to my mid teens and spent long periods on fluoxitine aka prozac. I was not aware of any other alternatives to treating depression, so just kept going back to my doctor to be told it was genetic, there was nothing I could do about it and people just suffered before we had these wonder drugs (comments both false and irresponsible).

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As many of the SSRI crew will know prozac knocks out libido for many, very annoying when one is starting a new relationship- the mind is more than willing but the body won't come to the party. I asked my Dr if I could try a drug that didn't have this effect. I was prescribed mirtazapine and my Dr neglected to mention any side effects. It is the number 1 culprit for a ravenous apetite and subsequent weight gain. Therefore it is not recommended for those who have a family history of diabetes, are insulin resistant or already struggle with weight.

I weighed about 64-68kgs when I started taking this medicine. Six months later I weighed almost 90kgs- a very significant weight gain for a woman who has spent her life in a size 10-12! While its true the drug didn't knock out my sex drive I felt so terrible & unattractive that ceased to be a concern. While I couldn't stop eating I thought it mist be due to some personal weakness on my part or lack of discliple. I tried to reduce my food intake and increase exercise but this did nothing. It wasn't until I discovered a friend's old and sick cat had been prescribed the very same drug as an apetite stimulant (one of its major uses in vet medicine) because she had lost her apetite that I ran to my pharmacist to talk about it. My pharmacist advised me to see my Dr immediately before the problem got any worse.

I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) which is closely linked with diabetes and both of my parents and many family members have type 2 diabetes. While I have never had a weight problem in my life I have always been disciplined about food and drink... as just looking at a doughnut will make me gain weight. I am taking legal and administrative action against my doctor for prescribing me this drug as it was negligent and irresponsible and she should have warned me about possible side effects and told me come in for re-evaluation if I noticed strong cravings for high carbohydrate foods. I am undergoing tests to see if the situation has permanently damaged my health and brought me closer to diabetes and/or insulin resistance.

Although this whole experience has caused me grief it has also led to enlightenment and an end my black hole. I transitioned to a 100% biodynamic diet filled with nutrient rich foods such as cod liver oil, the organ meat of organic pasture fed animals, raw unadulterated milk and lacto fermented foods like real sauerkraut. Since then I've not had so much as bad day! Our brains and bodies need adequate fat soluble vitamins like A, D & B12 to work properly. My world has lit up in colour and my PCOS symptoms have all but vanished and I am determined to get into those size 12 jeans again. Of course it costs me more, but I economize in other areas as it is worth every cent and is an investment in my future health.
Conventional medicine often fails to take into account the whole health picture- that all of a person's symtoms may be linked to an underlying problem. It tends to just treat only the symtoms. Depression is one of those symptoms. People who suffer from depression are not doomed, do not have an incurable genetic weakness, do not need to spend the rest of their lives on drugs, are not unlucky or to felt sorry for. They are in control and have options. Based on my experience I would strongly encourage anyone who has had enough of antidepressants and their side effects and the fact that they cannot permanently aleviate depression/anxiety etc. to look into the work of Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon Morrell and the Weston A. Price Foundation and improve the quality of their diet.

Best Wishes