Remeron and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Gor...
• May 19, 2013

For Depression "I'm a 43-year-old woman and I've been on 30mg Remeron for over 10 years now. It was prescribed for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I was NOT sleeping at all. When I first started taking it, I was a walking zombie for about 2-3 months (got some much-needed sleep), however, after that, it's like someone opened a window in a dark room. I was feeling 80% normal (prior to taking it, I was in the negative). I'll take 80% any day. You should take it an hour or so before bedtime because it has a huge sedative effect. Take care in the beginning because it's potent to begin with. It takes time for it to start really working, so don't be put off by the zombie state, it does go away."

• Coc...
• February 19, 2020

For Depression "I was taking mirtazapine for around a year and had I been in a better space I would have gotten off it as soon as I realized it was causing certain effects on me. Minor side effects: sluggishness, major weight gain. I was prescribed this medication due to having poor sleep, but it made me have vivid awful dreams - sleep paralysis multiple times a night. I used to sleep for 14+ hours, usually in the day due to being worried about falling asleep for the nightmares. It caused me to miss lots of university - I was so tired and drowsy I could not physically get up. I wish I had been able to understand the effect it was having on my body and stop them sooner. I was severely suicidal. I made plans almost daily, even walking to the shop I thought about walking in front of buses. It was a truly awful time in my life, made worse by a medication which did not suit me. I’m glad it has worked for some, but if anyone I knew personally were to tell me they were taking it, I would advise them not to."

• RC1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 20, 2013

For Depression "I had been taking Remeron for about 6 months. I am 23 years of age and have had sleep problems my whole life. For 6 months, my life was great. Everything seemed just perfect. 2 months ago, I decided to stop taking it cold turkey. BAD idea. Within the last month, the side effects began to kick in. Extreme anxiety, anger, sleeplessness, overall feeling of worthlessness came upon me. It was absolutely terrible! Today, my doctor put me back on the medicine and tonight I'll be taking it again. I am so excited to see what lies ahead. If you take Remeron, PLEASE do not quit taking it cold turkey on your own. Seek a doctor's advice."

• mar...
• April 4, 2015

For Depression "I've been taking this medication for approximately 3 years now. For all who are upset with the weight gain and sleepiness, it doesn't last forever. I think I gained about 10-15 lbs in my first few months, but I've managed to lose it all. Now I am only sleepy right after I take it (at bedtime) and I wake up feeling rested without the hangover. It's definitely levelled off my depression, and I feel normal. If you can get past the first few weeks, this medication is a life saver. I truly forgot that this medication even has side effects, since I've been on it so long. Also, I tried the SSRI/SNRI route first. On Zoloft, I would've made a great cast member for the Walking Dead. I've never felt more like a zombie. Remeron is the best!"

• sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2013

For Insomnia "I have been on Remeron for 3.5 years. I started out on 15 mg and now currently on 30 mg. I have tried every sleep medication available. This is by far the best medication I have ever been on for sleep. Yes, I get the ravenous hunger, and it takes about 2 hours to make me sleepy. An hour after I take it is when the hunger kicks in, and I eat for the entire day before bed. I have gained about 30 lbs over the time being on it, but it has now tapered off, I hope! However, for me, sleep is so important, so it's a matter of what's more important, the perfect body or being so tired and depressed due to lack of sleep. If you start watching what you eat prior to bed, which I do now and wish I knew or realized this early on, you can help keep the weight."

• Nev...
• May 14, 2020

For Depression "I literally split a 15mg down to into 8ths because my body is so sensitive. Wow... I have been out of it for DAYS. I cannot stop sleeping. Put me in a horrible weird state like I don't know what's going on or like I'm truly awake. Just feel 'out of it'... Off of a sliver! I have read contradictory things about dosing. I would indeed say and agree with that the lower doses are VERY sedating. Very weirdly vivid (not nightmarish) dreams... I had a gene test done and this medication was on my 'lower doses maybe be required'. I can't even imagine what a high dose would do! This is completely staying on my 'NO!' list! Be careful of this medication because it is POWERFUL. I feel like I've just been high for days. Like I've just been smoking the most dank weed and I've just been stuck in this high. When I wake up, I feel like I'm manic, like I just have a huge rush of anxiety. I wanted to try this because I am experiencing 'heartburn' like chest pain that isn't acid-related at all."

• ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was on Remeron for about 2 years before. Helped very much with my depression. But although I often felt very sleepy near the beginning of the treatment, the massive fatigue eventually subsided to an acceptable level. 20 mins after taking it, I'm ready for bed. I can't keep my eyes open no matter what. I just restarted Remeron two days ago after more than a year being on it. As I type this, I feel fogged over, sort of sleepy, and immensely 'munchie'. As before when I took it, I'd find myself waking up several times a night going to raid the fridge and cabinets for munchie or sweet foods (and meats! definitely craved meat all the time). So again, on Remeron: eating again, sleeping some, more relaxed, less sad."

• K_T...
• September 12, 2009

For Depression "This antidepressant has been a blessing in my life. I was 25 lbs underweight due to depression, and also had sporadic sleeping. The side effects are a benefit for me. It makes you hungry, especially after you take it at night. I crave lots of carbs, and have been eating like I have never before. I have gained 11 lbs in just 1 month on Remeron. It also has a nice sedation effect to help with sleep. When I take my 30mg dose at night, I have everything ready because after 45 minutes I can barely keep my eyes open, and then get a great night's sleep. Side effects are worse during the first week, and then everything balances out! If you suffer from sleep and/or eating, then Remeron could be the biggest blessing in your life also. It gave me hope."

• -D-...
• May 25, 2016

For Depression "I have taken 15 mg Remeron for about 5 days so far and it already is a miracle pill for me. I am slightly underweight and had constant anxiety, but so far this medication has vastly improved my appetite and I just feel relaxed, but not in a drugged feeling way. I actually enjoy food and am no longer as picky of an eater as I was before, which is awesome. It also helps with sleep, as it certainly has a sedative effect after you take it. I was really groggy and tired the first day after I took it, but have been fine and energized every day since. I know every medication affects people differently, but if you are depressed and not worried about weight gain, give this a shot."

• Tru...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "Literally a lifesaver. I have been on every antidepressant known to man, and I thought they were all a joke. They never worked. I ended up in a behavioral health facility for 2 weeks because of a major depressive episode and constant thoughts of suicide. They gave me this medication, and I stuck with it. Initially, it will make you sleepy and crave food like crazy. You will also have crazy dreams. This will pass in time. I haven’t fallen into a depression in over 3 years now, which is a record. I have recently lost my job because of a different medical condition. I am on food stamps and might have to sell my home, but amazingly it's no big deal to me. Remeron and other forms of therapy have changed my whole outlook on life. If anyone has tried every medication and it hasn’t worked, give this one a try. The only downside at this point I can think of is sometimes when you want to feel down or depressed (I know it sounds weird), you are not able to."

• Dea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2016

For Depression "After a year of taking this, I have trouble speaking at all, severe sedation, and constant irritability. Also, a dangerous lack of care about my personal affairs and suicidal ideation. I'm called 'stable' when really I'm frozen in depression. I will never trust a psychiatrist again."

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 7, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I love love love Remeron. I have been severely depressed for more than a decade. I was on bupropion before, but then had a seizure on it and could no longer continue. I had not taken any helpful medication for years after that. I told my doctor my problems and with the things that I was looking to have alleviated, he recommended Remeron. I have had extreme appetite suppression for a long time as well due to my depression, and I needed a medication to increase my appetite. I was having trouble sleeping due to overthinking at night. I had a lot of ideation. Remeron helped me with all of these symptoms. It helps me eat like a normal person would. It is quite sedative, so it helps with sleep, which is super important for depression, to get enough. And it helped overall with mood. A good one!"

• fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2012

For Anxiety "This has been a lifesaver for me for anxiety and insomnia. I was on Zoloft 75mg for the last 5 months, and it was of little benefit. I've only been on 7.5 mg of Remeron for 7 days, but the results have been great (still also on 75mg of Zoloft). Remeron gives me a good 8-9 hours of sleep every day, a strong appetite (I lost 25 pounds in 5 months when I began to have these problems). My energy level is returning to normal. 90% of my anxiety is gone. It is nothing short of a miracle. Yes, I feel a bit groggy & dopey for an hour or two after I wake up, but that is a small price to pay for me getting my life back."

• fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2012

For Anxiety "This has been a lifesaver for me for anxiety and insomnia. I was on Zoloft 75mg for the last 5 months, and it was of little benefit. I've only been on 7.5 mg of Remeron for 7 days, but the results have been great (still also on 75mg of Zoloft). Remeron gives me a good 8-9 hours of sleep every day, a strong appetite (I lost 25 pounds in 5 months when I began to have these problems). My energy level is returning to normal. 90% of my anxiety is gone. It is nothing short of a miracle. Yes, I feel a bit groggy & dopey for an hour or two after I wake up, but that is a small price to pay for me getting my life back."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2013

For Depression "I have been taking 30 mg 1/2 hour before bed for about a month. The first night I took it, I woke up in the middle of the night incredibly thirsty, went to get a drink, and lost all coordination. My husband found me lying on the floor, sweating profusely, burning with fever. He had to carry me to bed. By the time he decided to take me to the ER, I was cool as a cucumber and sleeping like a baby. I decided to stick with it and try again. (No luck with SSRIs for relief from moderate/severe depression & anxiety and insomnia.) I slept the entire next day, took the 30mg pill again, and had no similar episode. Very gradually, the sleepiness has waned along with symptoms. I am optimistic, though I do need to resist overeating, as I have gained 5 lbs."

• Pop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2015

For Depression "The first time my doctor prescribed this medication, I ate 2 whole large pizzas, a family-sized lasagna, 2 sandwiches, and some desserts all in one sitting. The day after, I decided to get off of it. I then realized I couldn't sleep very well and I had some depression, which otherwise, at the time, nothing else was helping me cope with besides my Buspar/Klonopin. Thus, I continued my dosage of 15mg. It is true, at least for me, the lower dosage is higher sedating of the medication. Once I figured out a way of controlling the 1-2 hour boost of what seemed like an infinite metabolism, I felt awesome, if only for a short while, then immediate beauty sleep followed. I definitely recommend this to anyone with sleep problems."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Having failed most SSRIs, Remeron was a real surprise. It calmed me, helped me sleep, helped me focus, but most importantly had almost no side effects. My appetite went crazy the first week but mellowed out afterwards. I get pretty drowsy about an hour after taking it, so I only take it at bedtime. I had to drop from 45 mg to 30 mg due to it amping me up rather than sedating. Works fine, no tolerance type effects unlike Z-drugs."

• Spe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2019

For Depression "After taking this one week, I have to say I am totally sedated. If we had an earthquake (CA), I wouldn’t be able to get off the bed. I am quitting now. I am a fall risk, new widow, and anxious. I feel like this drug is changing my heart rate and I have a horrible headache. Almost ER time. Please tell me someone, how long is this in my system? I am worried I’ll be in bed all day. Literally can’t stand up, and this is after 12 hours of sleep."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2012

For Depression "I've been on Remeron for nearly two weeks now, and I can feel my mood elevating and depression decreasing already. Also, I'm now getting full nights of sleep, which is also an amazing feeling. The only downsides I've seen so far are some grogginess in the morning (though that has been less and less noticeable) and ravenous hunger (this has not gotten less). Luckily, because now I'm starting to actually want to leave the house and do stuff, I've been able to work out pretty consistently this past week, and hopefully that will counteract the effects of me eating the weight of a horse every day. I've tried more antidepressants than I can count on one hand, and this is the first time in a long time I've started to feel better."

• arn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been anxious, paranoid, and depressed since puberty (10 years). Doctors have tried SSRIs, SNRIs, and benzos, but nothing seemed to be working. The doctor wrote a script for Remeron. I was skeptical at first, and the initial side effects scared me (slurred speech, drowsiness, blurred vision), however, I kept with it and I feel so much better. It is relieving being able to live without thinking I am about to get fired or if I am getting fat (which is ridiculous). I actually have an eating disorder, and I am clinically underweight. My neurotic paranoia seems to be somewhat cornered, and I no longer depend on alcohol to keep me under control. I have only been on the drug for a week at 15 mg. Hopefully, this journey is almost over."

• G-D...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medicine is a godsend. Being 100% honest, I didn't like it because of the vivid nightmares, but they do stop with continued usage. Don't give up too soon. The vivid nightmares stopped after my 5th day of taking this drug. Now, 2 weeks later, my nightmares are gone and I have normal dreams that don't involve death, violence, or carnage. I sleep well and awaken rested. Some days there is a little grogginess in the morning, but it wears off as you start moving. A cup of coffee helps as well. My appetite has increased, and several people complain of weight gain. You will gain too much weight if you stay sedentary. I started lifting weights and doing planks and push-ups. That keeps the weight gain at bay."

• gco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2022

For Depression "I've been on this for 3 weeks, and I thought I'd leave a review since I always read reviews and have some health OCD. This third week, I've actually been singing along to songs and not only able to make it to work, but am working extra. I haven't had any terrible panic attacks like I had been previously. I am on 15 mg. I will say I was groggy the first few days, stick it out. A bit of breakthrough anxiety, but nowhere near as bad as it was. Hopefully, will continue to go well for me! Good luck!!"

• lol...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 19, 2012

For Anxiety "Improved the physical and mental symptoms I had with anxiety/depression but in a reduced dose. More than 10 mg would keep me too drowsy and make me forgetful. I have been on it for 19 years and have tried to get off it several times but my physical symptoms (stomach cramping) return after a few days. The generic form was far less effective. Does cause constipation with me."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 27, 2021

For Depression "I’ve struggled with severe nausea induced by anxiety for years. I went to countless doctors thinking it was a GI issue, but they couldn’t find anything. I finally went to a psychiatrist, and she prescribed me Remeron. I occasionally get nauseous still, but it is bearable and doesn’t prevent me from doing everyday things like it did if I take this medication on schedule. If I forget to take it one day, the nausea returns, but I am able to live everyday life normally with this pill. The one thing I will say is that this pill will knock you out. I work early in the morning and have to take this pill and go to sleep around 7 pm every night, but that is doable for me and definitely worth the benefits of this medication. This medication saved me!!"

• Med...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2012

"I was having a very hard time with the anxiety of thinking something was wrong with my heart (which turned out to be nothing), when I was put on Remeron. I had virtually stopped eating, and just felt very anxious and not myself. It helped a good bit with the anxiety, but it turbocharged my appetite. Would not recommend this to anyone who is overweight, but it's great for anxiety sufferers who lose their appetite when they get anxious. It does make you very sleepy the first week or so you take it, so I would take it before bed. I didn't notice any sexual side effects though, which was another big selling point. The sedation seems stronger at lower doses, and I had some bizarre dreams at lower doses as well."