Remeron and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 5, 2020

For Depression "I really like this medication. I'd always been wary of antidepressants because of the well-known side effects, but being an SSRI, I gave this one a shot. Never looked back. Gained maybe 8 pounds, but you can't tell because I look and feel so much healthier and happier. Little to no side effects other than that 8 pounds, I can finally sleep again. Woke up a little dizzy in the morning for the first 2 or 3 weeks, but it doesn't happen anymore. You probably won't ever forget to take it, and you won't be able to sleep without it once you're on it, but my quality of life is so much higher I don't mind."

• 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."

• Ano...
• September 10, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "30mg every night for PTSD, panic disorder, and major depression. Dealing with childhood trauma like physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault from a young age. Mind doesn't race as much, don't have dangerous thoughts anymore. I still experience panic attacks, occasional chest tightness if I think about it, but panic attacks have significantly gone down to at least maybe once a month if not every other month. I have gained a few pounds. If you have a sensitive stomach, eating right before or after taking this medication else you'll feel bad waves of nausea. My parents hid panic disorder as a child and lied to me about it, so I started experiencing them much more often in high school. Have I honestly never felt better mentally. I can't say enough good things about this medication! Wait it out if you really think this will work for you. I had tried over 6 medications, this one works miracles, and my mental health is 70-75% better."

• Sch...
• April 8, 2016

For Depression "This medication is one of modern medicine's true miracles. I started taking it 7 months ago after a devastating benzo/opiate relapse, and I have suffered from MDD and insomnia for 19 years. During that time, I have literally tried everything - legal AND illegal. Thank God for this medicine. I did gain a ton of weight at first but consider it a small price to pay for high quality/quantity of sleep, energy, a positive mood, and an all-around 'good' feeling. Everyone reacts to medicine differently, don't give up. I am so thankful to have my sanity and my life back - all thanks to this medicine."

• Peg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2012

For Anxiety "For many years I've been juggling medicines from Lexapro, Xanax, Zoloft, along with Lunesta for sleep. I had anxiety along with depression, couldn't sleep, and was losing weight. Three weeks ago, my doctor prescribed Remeron to me, and within a week, I was like a new person. Depression and anxiety lessened, and my sleep is great. This has been a miracle for me. Yes, I am gaining weight, but I needed to. My quality of life is so much better."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2019

For Depression "I've been on Remeron for several years now. Primarily for insomnia but also for anxiety and depression. This medication helps me tremendously like no others I've tried. No side effects besides hunger and weight gain. Highly recommend"

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2012

For Depression "I have been on Remeron for 3 years now and it's the best antidepressant I've ever been on. I have tried Prozac, Celexa, Wellbutrin, and Effexor. Remeron is the only one that made me happy to be alive. I did gain about 3 pounds but then was feeling so good I decided to become a vegan and improve my physical health, which before I could have cared less about. So now I've lost the pounds. Plus, a few pounds is definitely worth the improvement in mood and sleep. I have found it's really important how much I take and at what time. I did get restless leg syndrome which made it hard to sleep so I tried breaking up my 30 mg pill and taking 1/2 at 7:30 and 1/2 at 9:00 pm. That wasn't helping my mood. For best results, I take 30 mg at 6:00 pm and go to bed at 9:00."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 12, 2012

For Anxiety "I was drinking heavily to combat anxiety for years. Remeron sorted me out. Still drank now and again, but in general felt good about myself. I've tried lots of anti-anxiety medicines, and this one is the best. Weight gain, but it makes me happy, so a small price to pay. One last thing, when on this, I would look in the mirror and feel good about myself for the first time in years. Good medicine."

• Kha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 10, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have MDD, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and ASD (autism spectrum disorder). I was put on a combination of 7.5 mg Remeron and 100 mg of Pristiq. Within a few weeks, I stopped having panic attacks and I had no more depression. I am so grateful my doctor tried these drugs, it literally saved my life. Before, my life was hell, and I literally wanted to die. Now I am happy 99% of the time, and I can't remember the last time I cried. The only problem is I am constantly hungry, and I have gained 40 pounds in less than a year."

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2011

For Depression "Remeron is a unique medicine, since its side effects are sometimes as useful as its antidepressant effects. This medicine literally saved my life. For many years, I was around 90 pounds, and never slept. Now, I'm a healthy 120 and I sleep about 8 or 9 hours per night. It did take a long time to get to this point. When I first started taking it, I was tired all the time and very worried about the ravenous hunger! But now that I've been on it 2 years, I no longer gain weight, I'm no longer tearful and miserable, and I've honestly never been happier. God bless the people who made this drug. It literally saved my life."

• REd...
• January 21, 2009

For Anxiety "I have been taking for 16 months. I was having low to mid-level anxiety, loss of appetite, and insomnia. Remeron cured the insomnia and appetite immediately. Anxiety was much less within a couple of weeks and gone within a month or so. Constipation occurred for about a week and then went away. I have gained weight over the last year but am changing my diet to be more healthy (no white sugar or white flour, etc.) so that I am losing some weight now."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2019

For Depression "Terrible! Never again. I gained 13 pounds, and I'm normally a small person. You gain every few months. I felt like I was in a fog the whole time with no personality, and I didn't realize it until I got off. I refused to gain more weight and told them I'm getting off it. They told me to just stop taking it. DON'T! I did since they said to, and my anxiety spiked to a 10, and after a few weeks, I had a nervous breakdown. I also had insomnia for months and slept maybe 2-3 hours a night for the first two weeks until I said put me back on so I can wean myself off safely - the right way. It's been about 5 months off, and I still have insomnia, which could be lifelong. No one told me I would be addicted to this med."

• hal...
• April 18, 2012

For Depression "I have it all...anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Sometimes I can be anxious in the morning, depressed in the afternoon. I have tried Wellbutrin/Cymbalta combination, Pristiq, Viibryd, Effexor, and every SSRI. I definitely felt an improvement with Cymbalta/Wellbutin and Pristiq, but not 100% myself. Remeron has been a godsend to me. It works fast; dare I say I am in a good mood again after only three days. I was a bit tired in the morning, but I will gladly take some fatigue to get rid of the anxiety and depression, and I hear this goes away in time. As far as the weight gain, I have always been a good eater and go to the gym, so if my appetite increases (it hasn't as of yet), I will just have to monitor it. So far, it's been great."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been dealing with a lot of family issues plus I suffer from MDD and GAD. Anyway, I believe I also have PTSD and I was stuck on repeat in my mind and could not stop reliving a past 'argument' I had with my family. I took 15 mg last night, and already the obsessive thoughts have diminished. I also have subconscious fears of being poisoned. Those have also diminished since yesterday. Hope it continues, I just worry about weight gain, but if my mind isn't occupied with all the rubbish, I can focus on exercise."

• hip...
• March 18, 2014

For Depression "After trying these for about 5 weeks, I had to go back to the doctor to change. I felt worse than I'd ever felt in my life. I was so angry all the time for no reason. I cried more than I did before taking medicines. For the first time ever, I was thinking about suicide. It also gave me a massive appetite and I gained about ten pounds, which I didn't need. So, these definitely do not work for me. Fingers crossed my new ones will."

• kar...
• December 6, 2011

For Depression "The extreme sleepiness and lack of efficacy ceased like a light switch - suddenly, after a couple of weeks of sleepy torture that didn't help at all, it WORKED for my depression, and the sleepiness was GONE. I woke up one morning to find I could breathe without the feeling of having my lungs filled with tar (one symptom of my depression). I stayed on it for 2 years and it alleviated my depression continuously while allowing me to feel like 'myself.' However, it did make me hungry, and I gained about 15 lbs. Worth it. When life improved, I tapered off, and have been fine ever since. If you try it, give it a chance. My doctor said 60% of his patients report a 'light switch' experience with it."

• 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."

• mun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2014

For Depression "I have several issues and was given Remeron along with Seroquel and Tegretol. I take it at night and I sleep now, it's pretty amazing, but I'm so tired after taking it that I can't keep my eyes open no matter what. In the 3 weeks I have been on it, I have gained 3 lbs, which is awesome for me. I hope the sleepiness dies down some as it is a bit strong for me, but overall this is a great medicine."

• ano...
• December 15, 2018

For Depression "I had insomnia that had me sleeping max 4 hours a night for 8 months, so I was losing my mind. Mirtazapine improved my mood substantially, made me able to sleep, helped me function, and reduced the worst of my depression symptoms significantly. It also completely stopped my full-blown panic attacks - I have only ever experienced a much milder, limited symptom panic attack since having been put on it. Unfortunately, there is considerable weight gain and voracious appetite. I wasn't warned about this, so I went up 2-3 sizes within 2 months without realizing what was going on. I haven't been able to keep the weight off while on Remeron despite low-cal diets, etc. Keep an eye on your portions and calorie intake when starting this. I'd still rather be a couple sizes larger and no longer suicidal and able to sleep than skinny and unable to function!"

• ral...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2012

For Depression "I started on Remeron 15mg per day. I started to feel somewhat better at two weeks. Went up to 30mg at that point. After being on 30mg for about a week, I felt significantly better. I've gained a few pounds, around 4, so that's not too bad. It did not help with sleep. I experienced insomnia for 3-4 days after starting or changing the dose. Also, had some difficulty with thinking clearly for a few days after changing the dosage. I have severe Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). I believe Remeron will really assist me. I feel like I'm on a good path. I particularly appreciate the absence of sexual side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2013

For Depression "I have been on Remeron for a little over a year for depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It has helped quite a bit in all areas. I have had a bit of weight gain (approx 10 lbs) but it is starting to come off slowly. It is a small price to pay for feeling all around better, especially being able to get a decent night's rest."

• sca...
• August 1, 2013

For Depression "I have been prescribed Remeron for about 8 months now and it is a miracle. It not only helped me put on weight when I needed to because I have lost so much from all the anxiety, it also gave me an amazing night's sleep every night. Yeah, it does give you some crazy dreams sometimes and you might gain a few pounds, but your quality of life is so much better. I was so happy the next day when I woke up. I finally felt like I figured it out. I say yes to the Remeron Cycle."