[glee]

Remeron
Generic Name: mirtazapine
Treatment for: Depression

Have you taken or do you take Remeron?
We want to hear your story. Please feel free to share your experiences while taking this drug.

Consumer Information at
http://www.drugs.com/remeron.html
Professional Information at
http://www.drugs.com/pro/remeron.html

[ehs75]

I took Remeron for just a few weeks for depression. While taking it, I ate like a pig!! I had a PA tell me that she had heard other patients complaining of increased appetite. There are so many anti-depressants that you should be able to find one that works and does not stimulate appetite.

shill

[psisci]

Remeron does stimulate appetite, but some of this can be helped by increasing the dose. Lower doses are more sedating and tend to make people gain more weight.



Dr.S.

[maidenspg]

I took Remeron for 30 days (don't recall the dosage...in fact, I've tried to forget the entire experience!), and gained 4-6 ozs per day. I didn't have an increase in appetite; didn't have a change in diet. Just gained weight! I couldn't wait/weight to get off that medication! I'm happy with Lexapro now. And, 5 months later, I've finally lost the weight! Every time I think of Remeron, I cringe!

[pacenn]

I'm on 30mg remeron for 4 weeks almost. I became more depressed, less active and withdrawn. I sleep too much ( over 14 hours). I just can't pull myself out of bed. As someone mentioned here "lower doses are more sedating". It is true.... when I increased my doses to 45mg I slept less.

I'm definitely going to change this drug.

[Casey55]

Remeron is notorious for causing weight gain as is Zyprexa and Risperdal, Anafranil and even the SSRI's can cause weight gain to name a few.

Wellbutrin is one of the newer antidepressants and other then the SSRI's, it is a top first choice to prescribe for depression. And Wellbutrin does not cause weight gain, but can cause weight loss. Good news!!!!

Casey

[no_self_control]

I was on Mirtazapine for a few months and I gained 10-20 pounds. Weirdly, I found it DECREASED my appetite--I usually eat like a horse and suddenly I was happy with three moderate meals a day and no snacks! Maybe it slowed down my metabolism.

Depression-wise, it seemed like I was starting to feel better after about two weeks but then I went downhill again. My psychiatrist told me to keep taking it, same dose and everything, for another few months(!) because sometimes antidepressants take a long time to kick in. I don't think that's what was happening, though; the depression DEFINITELY lifted and then came back, and my appetite came back along with it, so I stopped taking the meds and stopped seeing that shrink.

Has anyone else experienced this rise-and-fall thing? Also, will my weight go back to normal by itself or will I have to do some hardcore dieting and working out?

[delicious_awishes]

Ive been on remeron 15mg for about 10 months because one of my side effects from the lexepro was not being able to sleep . And at first I loved the remeron except all the sleep , but after about six months I only need about 8 hours of sleep. The only problem is now the 15mg isnt working Ive been taking three pills just to get to sleep . And I will run out before the end of the month. I to have heard that lower doses are better to fall asleep but not for me. Oh yeah the appetite thing sucks , I eat all day even when I am full I find myself in the fridge looking for something. Just wanted to let you know.

[Latinjen]

I have taken remeron for sleep for 2 years and yes you do gain weight, but if you watch what you eat and exersise you can keep it off. I love it! I also find a Low Carb diet helps! If you are hungry eat things that fill you up and have no carbs, meats, cheese, ect.

Always Down....
Jennifer

[melodious]

I've been on remeron twice, the 1st time I was severely depressed and then again the 2nd time around. Both times I've had excellent results with it and have always been underweight and a little anxious but found that it instantaneously (within the first 24 hours) had me eating again, sleeping soundly, and less stressed, and calmer. I recommend remeron for anyone who needs an appetite stimulant and needs some peace of mind (is anxious). I'm on the 15mg dosage, the lowest. I've tried Lexapro and it was good too although it completely wiped out my sex drive since it's an SSRI and is common with SSRI's. Since remeron is not an SSRI I am happy to continue having my sex drive as it doesn't affect that. Note that remeron is known to increase your sleepiness at the lower doses (if you take more the less sleepy you will be) and the same might be true with it's affect on one's appetite although I've never strayed from the lower doses. I guess a correlation would be that what I got from Xanax and Lexapro together I get from remeron without the sexual side-affects of the SSRI's.

[jennydakiwi]

I took Remeron for quite a long time. I would take them at bedtime, and not long after I'd have hallucinations. It was frightening. I eventually told my Dr, and he prescribed a different med.

[trueblue92863]

I was on Remeron for two years and gained 60lbs. I craved carbs constantly. My Dr. has just took me off of Remeron and put me on Topamax with hopes that I can shed some of this weight that I have gained from using Remeron. I am also using a different kind of sleeping pill now , Can't think of the name of it? The Topamax must be working Ha !!!

[trueblue92863]

I was on Remeron for 2 years and gained 60lbs. My Dr. just took me off and put me on Topamax hoping that I will lose some of the weight I had gained. My Dr. also put me on Lunesta for sleep which has been working real well. I no I will never go back on Remeron because of the bad weight gain it caused , I craved carbs so bad!!

[enriquegm82]

It is known that with Remeron™ You will literally eat sugar straight out of the bag to satisfy your cravings for sweets and carbohydrates.
However nobody can deny that is a powerful antidepressant and an excellent medicine for sleep disorders.
Remeron will pull you out of the deepest, blackest depression like no other medication will. But be prepared for the terrible side effects.
1)"Weight Gain" even if you dont change your diet you will gain weight.
2)Prepare to be sleepy all the time, you will feel less active.

Thats why Remeron is not for mild to moderate depression, it's for people who are seriously depressed, who are willing to put up with the weight gain and the sleeping because those side effects suck much less than the dark pit of depressive despair one finds oneself in.

[enriquegm82]

quote:Originally posted by Casey55

Remeron is notorious for causing weight gain as is Zyprexa and Risperdal, Anafranil and even the SSRI's can cause weight gain to name a few.

Wellbutrin is one of the newer antidepressants and other then the SSRI's, it is a top first choice to prescribe for depression. And Wellbutrin does not cause weight gain, but can cause weight loss. Good news!!!!

Casey

Yes Casey its true, but Wellbutrin is not as powerful as Remeron. Although it is a good alternative.

[iceman27]

Remeron is ****. I've just quit taking the ****. I don't believe in any of those antideppressants. I've taken both remeron and wellbutrin and to be honest I know believe it's all in my head. I think what i want to think. If i feel depressed I eat a good meal or exercise. Plan and simple. Antideppressants are **** in my opinion. They just messed me up more.

[mgl]

Despite being an effective antidepressant, Remeron has not become a first-line treatment because of two limiting side effects in a number of patients: weight gain and sedation.

[kk2007]

Weight gain is a side effect. I have been taking it for about a month because I couldn't go to sleep. I have always been really underweight. I have gain a couple of pounds. I'm 19 and right now I weigh 105...a couple of weeks ago I weighed about 90. I couldn't ever gain any weight and I am glad that I am gaining weight. I just wan to know about how much I will gain! I want to stop at some point. I'd like to gain about 25 lbs

[Connor44]

Originally Posted by trueblue92863

I was on Remeron for two years and gained 60lbs. I craved carbs constantly. My Dr. has just took me off of Remeron and put me on Topamax with hopes that I can shed some of this weight that I have gained from using Remeron. I am also using a different kind of sleeping pill now , Can't think of the name of it? The Topamax must be working Ha !!!

I have been on Mirtzapine (Remeron) since Feb.2008 and I have put on some serious weight. I also sleep so much and feel very sluggish and tired throughout the day!! I am wondering if this drug is doing more harm than good? I have outgrown all of my clothes and my wife says that I am gaining alot of weight and am looking bad!! I exercise when I can and I really don't make many bad food choices. This drug makes you sleep so much and eat like there's no tomorrow!!! Are we trading one thing for another?? Depression compared to possible side effects associated with large weight gain!! Diabetes,high blood pressure,etc...

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by Connor44

I have been on Mirtzapine (Remeron) since Feb.2008 and I have put on some serious weight. I also sleep so much and feel very sluggish and tired throughout the day!! I am wondering if this drug is doing more harm than good? I have outgrown all of my clothes and my wife says that I am gaining alot of weight and am looking bad!! I exercise when I can and I really don't make many bad food choices. This drug makes you sleep so much and eat like there's no tomorrow!!! Are we trading one thing for another?? Depression compared to possible side effects associated with large weight gain!! Diabetes,high blood pressure,etc...

Remeron is used to stimulate appetites as well as for depression and as a sleep aid. I think it's garbage personally. I used it for several months in 2000 and gained weight plus had AWFUL dreams while taking it. They were evil dreams. I had to stop it before it made crazy as well as turn me into an elephant. I ended up collecting money on a class action lawsuit against remeron manufacturers in around 2003/2004. Can't remember the exact dates. But I would try to find an alternative medication if you are experiencing side effects. If it works for you then fine. But if it doesn't then take something else. Good luck.