I have seen a lot of post on the internet about mirtazapine and weight gain. Saying that the medication it self puts wright on you. How can a tablet do that? Surley it is what you eat? I can understand that the med can increase your appetite, so if you eat healthly then you shouldnt put weight on? Any comments would be welcomed Jools
Mirtazapine and weight gain?
Question posted by jools 2013 on 7 May 2013
Last updated on 29 May 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
41 Answers Page 3
Inactive
27 Dec 2017
I think it really depends on the individual. In other words, how they metabolize the drug, and their genome.
There is genetic testing available that will actually tell you whether your genes have a protective effect against weight gain, and whether you will experience cravings or not, for the psychotropic drugs. Might be worth looking into.
I'm on 7.5mg of mirtazapine, have been so for about a year, and did experience about a 10 lb gain the beginning. I tried cutting calories for a few months, that did not work. What did work, was making sure I exercised regularly, 5/7 days of the week, moving more throughout the day, and adding in more calories while spreading it out. So instead of eating 3 big meals, I just sort of graze all day. And if I feel a craving coming on, I chew on some gum to distract myself. I lost 5 of the 10 pounds that way, and am happy where I am.
That being said, I have read through the scientific literature, and the weight gain for this drug is supposedly worse than pretty much all other antidepressants. But again, it's possible to not gain any weight at all, or to just gain a few pounds like I did.
I know this post is old, but hopefully my experiences can help someone with their decision.
WildcatVet
11 Nov 2017
No, jools, psychotropic drugs can, in some people, change how your body metabolizes food and also your fat storage mechanisms.
You can eat healthy to minimize this effect... but you can't eliminate it...
Mark ooooooo
11 Nov 2017
Hi, I've been on mirtazapine for 3 weeks and am already putting on the pounds. I have a background in pharmacology so after doing some digging I have came to the following conclusions, which I'll try to keep simplified: an increase in appetite is certainly one aspect of this medication, but unfortunately I suspect that due to the alterations in the levels of a variety of hormones, that weight gain will also be a metabolic phenomenon. What is mean by that is, hormones can send messages to lots of different cells in your body to handle nutrients differently, which in this case means that your cells will be more in "energy saving mode" than before. Because there is more nutrients hanging around, it will start being converted to fatty substances, which ulitmately equates to more weight. The upshot is even if you ate the same amount as before taking the medication, there is a good chance youll still put on some weight.
For me at least, this medication has made me feel emotions I haven't felt in a long time, even when on other meds (joy, excitement, anger etc.) so for me, it is well worth it. I believe I can control it with lots of fruit instead of carb-rich foods, and a good fitness routine. For me this is a worthy compromise and ill probably make myself fitter in the process (win win!). I'm aware this medication isn't for everyone so perhaps I'd have a different attitude altogether if it hadn't helped me so much.
Hope this is helpful and that you refind yourself with this medication. Good luck.
EmmaTSmith2201990
20 Feb 2018
Hey with your background two questions
1) after stopping usage how long until it is out of your system?
2) will your body go back to normal and normal weight loss?
3) about how long after stopping until you lose weight?
Only if you know by any chance thank you! Any help is highly appreciated!!
Mark ooooooo
6 March 2018
Hi, looking at the Half-Life of mirtazapine at 20-40 hours I would say a week or 2 it would be down to levels which you might call negligible. I wouldn't like to say in certain terms if you would see a reversal of weight gain but I don't see any reason why not. Unless you have only been on tablets a few days do not completely stop taking these tablets immediately, it would be wise to taper down. Best piece of advice I can give is speak to your go before changing your medication regime. Hope this is useful
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Sadly this is true . There is a better drug out called Valdoxan but it is not in pbs and expensive but does not have the Horrible weight induced and raised triglycerides side effects of mirtazapine. I wish I could say Mirtazapine has worked well for me but since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg and developed metabolic syndrome. I’m Consequently know on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agent and a specialised diet to reduce my raised triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for some but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have stopped taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan Which works well in my insomnia.
Stormyuk
18 Aug 2017
Hi all,
I have been on Mirtazepine now for 7 years, I increased to the full dosage of 45mg. I very quickly gained weight, my appetite went through the roof. For someone that actually wanted to gain weight this wasn't a bad thing. If you choose a healthy diet and eat sensible things when you get the cravings for food, it shouldn't be an issue.
Tamalmck
7 Oct 2017
I've been on the full dose of 60mg for over 7 years and ive lost weight.
So long as you don't give in to the cravings and you exercise I believe you'll be fine.
ChelleKay
12 July 2017
I have been on Remeron (Brand) for 8 1/2 yrs and have had no increased weight gain at all. It has helpws me very well in dealing with PTSD and depression. We can all react differently to any med. Luckily I did not gain weight but reaped the benefits in other good ways. I take 30mg nightly now, started at 15mg in the 1st few months. It has been a life saver for me.
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Gee I wish I could say the same i’ve gained 20 kg have raise triglycerides and now on antihypertensive because of my excessive weight gain from Mirtazapine and am on Lipitor to lower my cholesterol. Im glad it worked for you but an absolute disaster for me.
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Gee I wish I could say the same i’ve gained 20 kg have raise triglycerides and now on antihypertensive because of my excessive weight gain from Mirtazapine and am on Lipitor to lower my cholesterol. Im glad it worked for you but an absolute disaster for me.
Kaz411
12 July 2017
I have definitely put on weight taking 7.5mg ( half tab ) of Remeron. Omg. Carb cravings big time. Never had a weight problem until now, age 45. I do feel better on this med and I am sleeping better but the 25lb weight gain the past year is embarassing. Its in my thighs and stomach. Ugh, really hard to lose when you crave junk all of the time!
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Sadly this is true. There is a better drug out called Valdoxan but it is not in pbs and expensive but does not have the Horrible cravings for carbohydrates and weight gain and raised triglycerides side effects of mirtazapine. I wish I could say Mirtazapine has worked well for me but since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg and developed metabolic syndrome. I’m Consequently know on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agent and specialised diet to reduce my raised triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for some skinny people struggling to gain weight with their depression but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have stopped taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan Which works well in my insomnia. I’m loosing weight and coming off my cholesterol
Lowering drugs and antihypertensive medications. Mirtazapine has its place for those underweight patients struggling to eat and is commonly used as an adjunct in chemotherapy and anorexia patients. It certainly wasn’t suited to me
Gemzt92
9 Feb 2017
I believe it is the increased appetite. I was very wary about this this anti depressant as I was worried i was going to pile the weight on.
When I first started taking mirtazapine I was eating rubbish. I piled on a stone within a month. I stopped taking it instantly I felt rubbish still because I gained weight. So there was no point taking it.
6 months later I am now 2 months into my second attempt at taking the drug. I have put 3 pound all together. I walk a mile a day and eat very well.
I feel amazing!
So yes its not the pill but yoyr eating habits and fast your metabolism works.
Hope this helps.
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Sadly this is true . There is a better drug out called Valdoxan but it is not in pbs and expensive but does not have the Horrible weight induced and raised triglycerides side effects of mirtazapine. of I wish I could say Mirtazapine has worked well for me but since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg and developed metabolic syndrome. I’m Consequently know on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agent and specialised diet to reduce my raised triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for you but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have stopped taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan Which works well in my insomnia.
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Sadly this is true . There is a better drug out called Valdoxan but it is not in pbs and expensive but does not have the Horrible weight induced and raised triglycerides side effects of mirtazapine. I wish I could say Mirtazapine has worked well for me but since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg and developed metabolic syndrome. I’m Consequently know on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agent and specialised diet to reduce my raised triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for some skinny people struggling to gain weight with their depression but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have stopped taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan Which works well in my insomnia. I’m loosing weight and coming off my cholesterol
Lowering drugs and antihypertensive medications.
ardebram
21 June 2015
Hey Jool,
For the last two weeks I've been trolling the internet, worried about two side effects of mitrazipine-somnelence (sleepiness, grogginess, tiredness) and weight gain.
I was on Lexapro (20mg), Wellbutrin (300mg), Propranolol (80mg), and Seroquel (50mg).
Two days ago I stopped taking Seroquel and instead started taking Mirtazapine, 30mg. I was taking seroquel for insomnia, but I switched to mirtazapine strictly for its antideppressant effects. Furthermore, seroquel increased my appetite like a mo-fo. In the last 6 months I have jumped from 130lb to 160lb. I dont know if this was caused by seroquel;however, I know for a fact that I get extremely hungry after I take seroquel at night. Seroquel caused no morning groginess, I got off of it because I dont want to be on too many medications, I dont want to gain any more weight, and, since mirtazapine is known to cause drowsiness, I dont think I will need it.
My first night taking mirtazapine was two nights ago. I took it at 11:00 O'clock. At 11:30 I fell asleep, I woke up at 5 P.M. the next day. Although I slept for 17 hrs, unlike seroquel, I did not get the munchies at any point during that night or the next day. There was noticable day-time drowsiness.
Last night was my second night of taking Mirtazapine 30mg. I took it at 11 O'Clock. I fell asleep at 11:30, I woke up at 9 A.M. feeling extremely refreshed.
It only took ONE DAY for tolerance to the sedation to build up. I was so fricken happy that this was the case. There are lots of people on internet forums claiming the drowsiness persisted, but my research into Histimine Receptors hinted that it wouldnt. Based on studies with doxylamine and diphenhydramine, Histamine recepters up and down regulate extremely quickly. And, assuming Mirtazipine's hypnotic effects are mediated strictly by these H1 pathways, my personal experience backs it up.
As for the hunger and weight gain... Mirtazapine (at least compared to Seroquel 50mg) does not make me hungry. On wiki I read that Mirtazapine can increase triglyceride levels... idk where that comes into play with the whole weightgain thing. Maybe mirtazapine causes the body to process fat more efficiently, maybe increased triglycerides are a side effects of the hunger it can bring about. I dont know;only time will tell.
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Sadly this is true. There is a better drug out called Valdoxan but it is not in pbs and expensive but does not have the Horrible cravings for carbohydrates and weight gain and raised triglycerides side effects of mirtazapine. I wish I could say Mirtazapine has worked well for me but since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg and developed metabolic syndrome. I’m Consequently know on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agent and specialised diet to reduce my raised triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for some skinny people struggling to gain weight with their depression but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have stopped taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan Which works well in my insomnia. I’m loosing weight and coming off my cholesterol
Lowering drugs and antihypertensive medications.
In10sitty
29 Dec 2014
I have been on Mirtazapine for over a month now. The first week and a half I did nothing but gain weight. I gained approximately 10 lbs. I am 5'2" and weighed 128. I now weigh 138. I put myself on a diet and rejoined the gym - to no avail. Not only did the weight come on suddenly and quickly, but it is all in my belly area. I look and feel pregnant! - I feel ridiculous, and I am definitely going to go off of this drug. It is just not for me. I feel that I am dealing with a combination of the weight gain and a difference in how fat is distributed throughout my body . What is difficult, is that I'm not 100 % sure it isn't my eating. This was during Thanksgiving & Christmas time. I DO know that I was at a steady weight for 5 years now and after a week or so on Mirtazapine I started gaining weight. However, I was also weaning off of Effexor. - I'm doing a "what if Effexor caused me to lose weight" thing.
So with this happening during the holidays, and while going off another drug, I'm not sure exactly the cause. I took my last Effexor over a week or so ago. Now it's just me, my diet and Mirtazapine. The extra 10 lbs is not doable for me and I am going to start weaning of Mirtazapine today. - I just cannot deal with the anxiety this weight increase is causing me. I just hope it IS the Mirtazapine and that I'm not making the wrong decision. I will update as to if I experience weight loss, etc. from coming off this drug. My belly weight even causes my back to hurt. It's just all in the belly. Gross! :) If, by surprise, I end up going into labor, I will post pics of the baby and try Mirtazapine again. :)
Strawberryx5
24 March 2015
Exactly the same thing is happening to me, my tummy looks awful. Did coming off them help?
TeddyBBGun
6 Nov 2018
I've been on Mirtazapine for 3 weeks now. I've also been weening myself off Effexor. My weight gain is scary. I eat constantly. I never did this when I was solely on effexor.
I am also feeling really lethargic, my lower tummy is sore and I am losing my temper easily.
All of this just for a good night sleep?
I'm going to come off the Mirtazapine and just go back to insomnia.
rajmahal1980
16 Nov 2018
I have just been placed on mirtazapine but it seems for opposite reasons than most of you.
I am 6 feet tall and weight 130lbs (I've lost a lot of weight because of an esophageal disorder)
I can only eat about 1000-1500 calories a day. Would I still gain weight eating the same amount of calories? Or are you guys saying that I'll be able to take more calories because of mirtazapine?
Basten60
2 Dec 2019
I've been on Mirtazapine for 3 mo this and like you I've put on tons of weight so much around my belly that I look pregnant. I'm 70 years old. My bust has also got bigger. I am eating more and never had this hunger until I started this drug. I feel fat and uncomfortable. The trouble is if I stop it I believe my sleep will be even worse. At first I slept well but the sedative effect has worn off. I also take Zopiclone, amitryptiline, clonazepam and Risperidone at night and can still wake up all night long!! I dont know what to do
Basten60
2 Dec 2019
I've been on Mirtazapine for 3 mo this and like you I've put on tons of weight so much around my belly that I look pregnant. I'm 70 years old. My bust has also got bigger. I am eating more and never had this hunger until I started this drug. I feel fat and uncomfortable. The trouble is if I stop it I believe my sleep will be even worse. At first I slept well but the sedative effect has worn off. I also take Zopiclone, amitryptiline, clonazepam and Risperidone at night and can still wake up all night long!! I dont know what to do
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Yes this is a common problem. I wish I could say Mirtazapine has worked well for me too but since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg and developed metabolic syndrome. I’m Consequently on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agents and specialised diet to reduce my raised triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works well for skinny underweight people but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have stopped taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan Which works well for my insomnia. The only issue is Valdoxan isn’t on PBS so it’s expensive
tonestar
8 May 2013
Hi, I was on mirtazapine for many years and kept a steady weight. It did increase my appetite but I agree with you and if you eat healthy you should maintain your weight and not put any one. Like anything though some people find it affects them differently but I was happy when on it.
Good Luck and don't be too concerned about it. Cheers Tony
jools 2013
8 May 2013
Thanks tony :-) zumba tonight it is then Jools x
Swoj1
11 July 2020
I wish I could say the same since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg. Consequently on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agents to reduce my race triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for you but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have to stop taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan
Swoj1
11 July 2020
I wish I could say the same since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg. Consequently on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agents to reduce my race triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for you but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have to stop taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan
Inactive
7 May 2013
Gastrointestinal side effects including dry mouth (25%), increased appetite (17%), and constipation (13%) have been reported. Other reported gastrointestinal adverse effects have included diarrhea (9%), nausea (4%), vomiting, anorexia, cholecystitis, glossitis, and colitis. One case of subclinical pancreatitis has also been reported.
Metabolic side effects have been reported. Nonfasting triglyceride increases to greater than 20% above the normal upper limits have been reported in 15% of patients receiving mirtazapine in clinical trials. Weight gain has been reported in 12% of patients. Less frequently reported were peripheral edema (2%), thirst, and weight loss. In one small study, mirtazapine appeared to improve glucose tolerance by reducing cortisol secretion.
jools 2013
7 May 2013
Thanks masso for the post... but this is a bit too medical for me. do you think the pill it self puts weight on you or is it the increased appeite hence making you eat more? Thanks Jools
Inactive
7 May 2013
It would have to be the increased appetite. You are welcome.-
jools 2013
8 May 2013
Thank you Jools
Inactive
8 May 2013
You are welcome.-
abc48
2 March 2015
Actually, the increased sugar absorption (see non-fasting triglycerides mentioned above) is also a cause of weight gain. It's a double edged sword; the tablet affects your metabolism and causes the body to absorb more sugar, as well as increasing your appetite.
abc48
2 March 2015
Actually, the increased sugar absorption (see non-fasting triglycerides mentioned above) is also a cause of weight gain. It's a double edged sword; the tablet affects your metabolism and causes the body to absorb more sugar, as well as increasing your appetite.
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Yes I believe so. I wish I could say Mirtazapine has worked well for me but since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg and developed metabolic syndrome. I’m Consequently know on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agent and specialised diet to reduce my raised triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for you but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have stopped taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan Which works well in my insomnia.
Swoj1
11 July 2020
Yes I believe so. I wish I could say Mirtazapine has worked well for me but since taking mirtazapine I’ve gained 20 kg and developed metabolic syndrome. I’m Consequently know on antihypertensive medication for being overweight and on cholesterol lowering agent and specialised diet to reduce my raised triglycerides from this drug. It’s interesting that it works for you but it was an absolute disaster for me.. I have stopped taking this drug and am now on a superior drug called Valdoxan Which works well in my insomnia.
Chollywood
29 May 2023
I love mirtazapine. It is the best medicine for sleeping. I been taking is since 2009 until just last January then I don't know but for some reason it just stop working on me. It seems my body reject it. I never getting weight during those years. Now I wish how can my body can accept this medicine. I love it
Related topics
weight loss (obesity/overweight), insomnia, mirtazapine, weight, medication
Further information
- Mirtazapine uses and safety info
- Mirtazapine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Mirtazapine (detailed)
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