Remeron and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2013

For Depression "No effect on mood or anxiety, did help with sleep though. Gained 22 lbs over 3 or 4 months, which really made me depressed! Slowly tapered off on my own, am now losing the weight and just started Celexa. Can already feel a difference in anxiety level, am amazed."

• 123...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I gained 25 lbs in 6 weeks on Remeron. I was 125 lbs when I started the medication and now I’m bordering on overweight. Luckily, when I stopped the medication, the weight gain stopped. It helped slightly with my chronic migraines and did not make me sleepy. I feel it did improve my quality of sleep somewhat, but not enough to continue gaining weight at that rate. I did exercise and watch what I ate, but it just made me too hungry. It had no effect on my depression, unfortunately, and I feel much worse about myself after gaining all that weight. Ketamine therapy has been the only antidepressant to work for me yet."

• kml...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 1, 2014

For Depression "I have been on Remeron since last April. Wonderful!! Nothing else worked...tried everything in the past 4 years. Gained 20 pounds but was so happy to feel better until my blood work showed a high increase in my cholesterol which is stated in info so check yours out. I am now trying Paxil but if does not work will have to go back on Remeron and a Cholesterol pill which I am not happy about but the good outweighs the bad. Anyone else have this problem..."

• edd...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2013

For Depression "They gave me Remeron in the hospital. I took it for two and a half years. It worked wonders for me. I have had no luck at all with SSRIs. My doctor told me that usually people who have no luck with SSRIs usually have good luck with tetracyclic antidepressants. The only drawback is I gained 85 lbs, which, needless to say, did not help my self-image. I'm considering Ludiomil (maprotiline)."

• Swe...
• January 17, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "My experience with Remeron is short. It worked wonders for me, but I stopped it as it causes awful weight gain. 21 pounds in 4 weeks. I looked pregnant. It made me more depressed. I would just eat. It does something to your brain that makes you feel as though you are never full. At night, I would sneak food. I could not stop. I was at 30mg. I've heard 15 mg is worse for weight gain. Also, this drug is also given to elderly patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and also given to people with eating disorders (bulimia and anorexia). As I said, in one respect, it did wonders for me with anxiety and depression and stopped the voices in my head and helped me sleep. But I couldn't go through gaining any more weight."

• FLG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2017

For Depression "This medication was the magic bullet for me, anxiety-wise and depression-wise. I slept extremely well, and my anxiety plummeted. I would have definitely stayed on it if it weren't for the atrocious weight gain! I am normally 110 lbs or so, and within 1.5 months, I was up to 130 lbs! During this time, I wasn't eating much more than normal, and I was skateboarding, canoeing, and running, yet still putting on weight. I was the happiest, yet the fattest I had EVER been on this drug, so it was a love/hate relationship. I decided to go off of it because I couldn't tolerate the weight. It was a shame since it was extremely effective for me otherwise. Oh well."

• 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."

• med...
• September 7, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have taken this med for over 2 years. I've been suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and depression my whole life. I found that nothing could help. Every night I tossed and turned, waking up every 2 hours. The first night I took this, like magic, I slept a whole night without waking up. And every night since then it has worked. However, BEWARE, it will make you binge eat. You have NO control over it. Studies say weight gain from this med only affects like 15% of people. Use look at the reviews on here and across the internet–it's more like 90%. I've always been skinny, and I put on 14 pounds within a month of starting it. I quit for a week, which made me extremely depressed and unable to sleep, but I immediately lost all the weight. But I was so depressed, it hurt, so I got back on it. That's why I give this a 7, it's a conundrum, it helps so much with insomnia/depression/anxiety, but it makes you FAT. Don't try this med unless you've tried ALL other SSRIs and sleep meds."

• Lov...
• April 26, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was taking this medication for six years, and it was life-changing. I was struggling to gain weight, I never had an appetite, and I was depressed, and no medication seemed to work, but Remeron was the only pill that worked for me. Unfortunately, I put on 40 pounds, and I have an almost overweight BMI, so I will have to stop this medication. This medication won't 'cure' your depression, but it's as if nothing seems like a big deal when you're on it, so therefore you feel less stressed and anxious."

• cjo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "No matter how much sleep I got, I was constantly tired. I could barely function during the day. And when I was functioning, I wanted to eat everything. In 2 months, I ended up gaining 15 lbs, which definitely did not help with the depression."

• Liz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2016

For Depression "I am using Remeron to help with nausea, depression, and anxiety as I taper off 1 mg of Klonopin after several years of using that drug. It was hard in the beginning; I had headaches and crushing fatigue for weeks. Now, I feel this drug has been a godsend; it helps with all and ensures that I sleep well most nights. This is my third attempt to get off of Klonopin and I have never been able to reduce my dosage so much. I do notice that my weight is now creeping up, so I need to watch that more carefully, but that side effect is one I will have to tackle as I will not give up my Remeron."

• Wei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "Gained 20+ pounds in a month on Remeron. I work out every day and always maintain a calorie deficit but still excessively gained weight. I took a DNA test, and it turns out I’m not compatible with this medication and experience significant symptoms. I would suggest to everyone to get a DNA test to see which medications will or will not work for you."

• She...
• March 6, 2010

For Depression "Great medication, worked like magic for me. However, the major side effect that makes me stop it is the weight gain aspect. It makes me eat all the time and have cravings for sugar all day long. I have been on and off Remeron for the last 5 years, and the only reason that I am off it is the weight gain. I have tried many medications, but nothing worked for me. Remeron is the only antidepressant that gives me back my life."

• Tai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 15, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have suffered from major depression for the past 20 years, which caused severe insomnia. Remeron has been a lifesaver. I have been able to sleep, but it causes weight gain. My doctor decreased it from 45 mg to 30 mg. There is no major difference between the dosages. I will be following a diet suggested by my dietician to lose 7 pounds gained from the meds."

• cat...
• January 19, 2012

For Anxiety "Been on it 2 weeks for anxiety, insomnia, and depression, 30mg at night. Love it. Sleep like a baby, wake up refreshed and energy levels have risen, feel so happy, not feeling high or anything, just seem to feel normal, which I haven't felt in 10 years. Only kind of downside is that I can't stop eating! And not sugars and carbs! I eat almost anything that is available to me, if there is only a bag of salad in the fridge I will eat the whole thing! The last time I had an appetite like this I was a very active teenager. I've already gained half a stone in 2 weeks and I was 11 stone to start with. My family are all overweight and I'm just a little worried I won't be able to control it! Help please."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2011

For Insomnia "I suffered from insomnia for over 10 years. I tried everything under the sun from behavioral modification to herbal supplements to prescription drugs. I started 7.5 mg of Remeron and 7.5 mg of Restoril 5 months ago, and I have never slept better. I am so thankful to have found these medications. The first few days I was a bit dizzy and disoriented. And, yes, I have the 10 lb weight gain but that is slowly coming off with proper diet and exercise. This medication literally saved my life."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 2, 2025

For Depression "I have taken 30 mg of Remeron for 13 years. In the beginning, I had a very dry mouth for the first six weeks, and then that went away. It also caused me to have constipation, which has never gone away. I was always a great sleeper up until I had a mental breakdown in 2012. They put me on Remeron to help anxiety and sleep, but it has never helped me sleep. My brain always feels awake and will not shut down to allow me to sleep at night. So I take Lunesta 1 mg every night for sleep, and that does make me sleep. When I had my mental breakdown, I lost 14 pounds. When I started the Remeron, it made me gain 18 pounds in about two months. I needed to gain the weight back to look and feel healthy again. I was disappointed that I gained four extra pounds back as my weight had been a healthy weight for years. Now what seems to happen with weight gain is I gain about 1 pound a year, and I can never lose it. So at this point, I have gained an additional 9 pounds over the 13 years of taking Remeron."

• Rem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 25, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have had several bouts of depression in the last 30 years. SSRIs don't work for me. Tried them all. Remeron was a lifesaver. Started at 15 mgs and now up to 45 mgs. Didn't sleep well before this med. It cured my depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Only con is weight gain, which I'm working on with walking and eating a healthy diet. My husband said he'd rather see me chubby and happy, and I totally agree. I'm so glad my doctor put me on this tricyclic antidepressant."

• xby...
• October 25, 2009

For Anxiety "I have a panic disorder and my doctor put me on Remeron. I thought it was great at first. It caused my panic attacks to slow down and my anxiety to die down. Then the side effects started. I had an increased appetite and put on nearly 30 lbs. I didn't mind that, but then it also began causing me to become very irritable. I started feeling like I was going into blind rages. I immediately contacted my doctor and switched medicines. Use caution."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2018

For Depression "I was on Prozac for years following the passing of my father. It stopped working, and I started to feel more depressed. I discussed this with my doctor, and he put me on Remeron to try it out, and he stopped the Prozac. This medication has helped tremendously with my depression, anxiety, and my sleeplessness. I think the way it works for me outweighs the side effects. I did gain a little weight but not much to where I am uncomfortable. I do recommend this medication to people with the problems it is used for. Worth trying it out if other medications aren't working for you."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2012

For Depression "I've been on every antidepressant out there. I finally found what works! It is also very mild, which is a wonderful change from all of the other heavier medications I have been on. I too experienced much-needed weight gain."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2012

For Depression "Took Remeron/mirtazapine a few years ago for about one week and gained about 15 (unwanted pounds). I just ate and slept, so I stopped after a week! Was taking it first thing in the morning at the time, but this doc said to take it at night. I need the appetite stimulation now, so I'm prescribed it again. Don't know if I could handle the ravenous, uncontrollable appetite it gives, though, and don't remember the effect on my depression as I was too consumed with eating."

• mcg...
• September 23, 2009

For Insomnia "Initially, I was thrilled with Remeron for treating my sleeplessness and restless nights. Then, I realized that I had gained considerable weight - like 15 pounds in one month due to insatiable eating. It wasn't worth it to me, so I quit taking it. Still working on the pre-Remeron figure 2 months later."

• Cho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I slept like the dead when I took this, which was great 'cause I had horrible PPD and hadn't slept in weeks. But I gained 60 lbs in two months. I would retain so much water I felt like I was going to explode. Plus, anorgasmia, so I discontinued it after 9 months. Horrible withdrawal."

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2012

For Insomnia "I have been taking Remeron for about 3 years now, and only recently are the side effects bothering me. I started taking it to counterbalance my ADHD medication so I could sleep at night. However, I stopped taking my ADHD medicines, and I have noticed weight gain. I'm assuming it's a bit of both medicines, though. Also, the drowsiness is becoming a big issue as I am sleeping through my 9 am classes, and I have a hard time getting awake for a long period of time. I do, however, love that I can sleep through the night and fall asleep fast, which has always been an issue for me. I also love the vivid dreams!"