Mirtazapine and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sna...
• November 4, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I used to have bad panic attacks and found it really hard to sleep before I was prescribed mirtazapine. The first few weeks of getting used to it were awful. I often felt dizzy and nauseated 10 minutes after taking it and collapsed once, luckily, a family member was there, and I was carried to my bed. After that passed, it worked amazingly for me. I haven't had a panic attack since having it, and I've found it a lot easier to sleep. I feel more calm and less paranoid than I used to. I went from a size 4 to a size 8/10, and it's been rough trying to lose the weight. I have only started taking control of it now. It gave me a huge appetite at the beginning, and I was constantly hungry. I've also noticed that I'm a lot more tired lately and have a lot less energy than I used to. Sometimes I also find it a little difficult to sleep. Another odd thing I have noticed: I dream almost every night and remember all of them. They are usually odd dreams, although I've gotten sleep paralysis a few times (I have a history of them)."

• ava...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2021

For Insomnia "It worked for a while on insomnia. The sedation effect calms the racing mind when you go to bed. However, the body gets used to it over time, you might be back to square one while 'hooked' on it. It did nothing for my depression, maybe it made it even a bit worse. It works somewhat on anxiety. I withdrew slowly over some 7 months from mostly 15 mg (peaked at 30 mg). At 30 mg, it made me very dizzy and depressed. Better on 7.5 mg. During the lower part of the tapering and after jumping off, my insomnia got worse, like my hopelessness. I thought I would never be able to sleep again or feel happiness. Today, some 9 months after my last dose, I can sleep through the night, wake up refreshed, and I feel motivated. Feeling great now! There's hope, never give up."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2019

For Anxiety "Started using this drug for panic attacks. I take 15 mg every night, I feel very tired and confused within the first few days. Then I started having an increased appetite, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. I don’t know if this drug is working, but I’m still in the early weeks on this drug."

• Ema...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2021

For Anxiety "Mirtazapine really helped my extreme anxiety and made me sleep like a baby for 8-9 hours a night. But after 3 years, I felt my ability to feel joy or emotion had gone. I also found I was never satisfied after eating and craved junk food even after eating huge meals. I gained 3 kg or so and constantly struggled with craving (be wary if you have a history of binge eating!). On my doctor's advice, I halved my dose from 30 to 15 mg then stopped completely over 6 weeks. This was a BIG mistake as I am now suffering intense withdrawal symptoms. Shortness of breath, feeling flushed, sweaty hands and feet, insomnia, nausea, chest pains, itchiness, tearfulness, nightmares, dizziness - pretty much every anxiety symptom and a few more thrown in. Had x-rays, ECG, and blood tests which were all clear, so I am certain this is withdrawal. I think mirtazapine is very effective for anxiety but is also a potent drug that should be taken with caution and tapered VERY gradually."

• Cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2017

For Depression "I went on this for depression. I was excited about it because I was also very, very underweight, and my Dr. said it would help me gain weight and get healthy and happy again. Took it, and it was like I'd been tranquilized. I felt myself passing out and could barely get my laptop off of my lap and onto the floor in the time it took to fall asleep. I felt like I was hammered. I was all giggly and tired. Fell asleep and slept for many hours. Had to stop it after less than a week because I couldn't wake up. Had no concept of time. For the next week after I stopped it, vision was hazy, and I was dizzy and felt very high. Never again! Very scary experience. Sure helps with sleep though!"

• Don...
• January 1, 2022

For Depression "I started taking mirtazapine 15 mg by Apotex Corp., about 7 months ago, and it’s just working great for me. I had lost weight, and it has helped me gain it back. I couldn’t sleep, was irritable, nervous, and depressed all the time, and this has made me more happy and feeling better. I was taking Xanax 1 mg, 3 times a day, Ambien at night, which wasn’t working. Now I’m off those meds, so glad this worked for me. If this helps anyone, 3 weeks ago I had my thyroid medicines renewed. They gave me Euthyrox brand, sold by Walmart, and I’ve been having vertigo and other problems. I called the pharmacy, and they are giving me my regular brand. I googled this, and it has a lot of side effects, so beware of meds."

• Car...
• January 30, 2021

For Anxiety "This medication seemed great at first. It really helped reduce my panic attacks, and I would only feel slight panic once or twice a day. I could get out and do things, but it made me have a really weird body high, and I felt like I was off balance and that it was so unsafe to drive—even after being on it for weeks. As soon as I took it, I would basically pass out, and it caused me to have an appetite like no other. After about 6 weeks, I started having worsened anxiety and very intrusive thoughts to the point of being suicidal. Let’s just say this one wasn’t for me!"

• Emm...
• March 14, 2009

For Anxiety "Helps greatly with my anxiety attacks and puts me in a coma-like sleep. Been taking it for a month. The only problem I have is I remain sleepy, almost to a zombie-like state all day. I still get very dizzy to the point of being nauseated while lying down. I really like this medicine, but don't think it is right for me because of my conditions, and looks like it has interactions with three of my other medications."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

For Depression "I was taken off Zoloft and prescribed Mirtazapine for depression and insomnia. I took it once. NEVER AGAIN. Very sleepy within 1/2 hour, another 1/2 hour and I was unsteady, dizzy-ish. It took 2-3 hours before I slept -- then only on and off, with extremely vivid dreams (not unpleasant). I would doze off and wake, realized my breathing was troubled. I could breathe in just fine, but breathing out, I had to push, like blowing up a balloon. I have NEVER had this before. I felt jittery all night; woke 3-4 times with cramps in my calf muscle. The next day I was out of it, but not able to sleep. I had the vivid dreams for the next 5 nights, and now, day 12 after only one dose, still feel dizzy."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

For Depression "I was taken off Zoloft and prescribed Mirtazapine for depression and insomnia. I took it once. NEVER AGAIN. Very sleepy within 1/2 hour, another 1/2 hour and I was unsteady, dizzy-ish. It took 2-3 hours before I slept -- then only on and off, with extremely vivid dreams (not unpleasant). I would doze off and wake, realized my breathing was troubled. I could breathe in just fine, but breathing out, I had to push, like blowing up a balloon. I have NEVER had this before. I felt jittery all night; woke 3-4 times with cramps in my calf muscle. The next day I was out of it, but not able to sleep. I had the vivid dreams for the next 5 nights, and now, day 12 after only one dose, still feel dizzy."

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2019

For Depression "Been on the med mirtazapine for about a week. After 2 nights, I decreased it to 7.5 mg due to severe sleepiness and unsteadiness. 7.5 seems to be working fine. Hope it’s enough to help without weight gain."

• Ean...
• May 4, 2021

For Insomnia "I was prescribed mirtazapine due to PMS-induced insomnia and depression and had been on this medication for 2 months. At the beginning, the result was promising as I could fall asleep easily after an hour of taking the pill (15 mg). In the first week, I experienced side effects like swelling, dizziness, and mouth dryness in the morning, and whenever I woke up, I needed 2 hours of readjusting my focus as the pill caused wild dreams. Since the pill did help with insomnia, I stuck with it. After the first month, the side effects evolved to anxiety, body sweats, and panic attacks, which have made my depressive condition worse, however effective it can make me fall asleep. I just decided to quit the pill last night, and surprisingly, I finally did not sweat this morning. I've heard positive feedback from friends whose bodies have managed to settle positively with this pill over time. So I would advise paying attention to your own body reactions and observe how the effects have progressed."

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2009

For Depression "I've been taking it for 3 weeks to cope with mild to severe depression, insomnia, lack of appetite, and general inability to concentrate. I've been also taking bupropion with it (bupropion in the morning and lunch, 300 mg/day, mirtazapine in the evening, 15 mg/day). I found it great. A little more appetite, which was great as I had lost so much weight, now I got it back. A little dizzy, but works wonders for my insomnia. I liked it a lot. Feeling way better, and it helps to relieve some bad side effects of bupropion, like loss of appetite and agitation."

• mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 2, 2018

For Insomnia "I began Mirtazapine 45 mg 10 yrs ago for insomnia and night terrors. And I gained fifty pounds! My psychiatrist retired, and the new one has me on meds that I took and plateaued on. He put me on Zoloft; nothing. Now Wellbutrin HCL SR 150 mg in the a.m. Next stop the Mirtazapine cold turkey, replacing it with 1 Wellbutrin tab in the p.m. I took 1 week of 1/2 tabs of 45 mg Mirtazapine, no problem, then stopped to start the p.m. Wellbutrin. Please don't ever do that. I have been a physical and mental mess for 3 days. I'm upset, with severe vertigo, nausea, and diarrhea. I'll take the 1/2 Mirtazapine; skip the Wellbutrin. I was never told how Mirtazapine can stay in your brain and never did anything for my sleep. The Xanax did. I've read the dosage for going off: take 10% less than what you had been taking for 4-6 weeks, and take 10% less again until you are at a small dose. I don't think Mirtazapine is the answer for anyone."

• eve...
• January 17, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "Avoid. Brilliant for sleeping, but was still falling asleep the next day, and I’m a mum to a newborn baby. Felt foggy, lack of balance, dizziness, and the right side of my mouth felt frozen. Numbs you up so you can feel. Brings out your negatives. Didn’t know who I was on this drug. Never again ever! Please avoid."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2021

For Anxiety "I took one 15 mg before bed for anxiety and insomnia, went straight to sleep. I woke at 2 a.m. to go to the bathroom, I struggled to walk there as I was very wobbly and disoriented. Went back to sleep. I had horrible dreams all night that woke me several times, then I couldn’t wake up. When I finally woke, I was in a daze all day with blurred vision, and I was being clumsy and couldn’t focus on anything. I will not be taking any more, just speaking to my doctor, as obviously not the right one for me."

• Pus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2019

For Depression "Been on mirtazapine for 9 days. For me, I'm not sure it works. 15 mg per day. It gets me to sleep within an hour, but I'll just wake up every hour or so, crazy vivid dreams every time, and starving hungry. So, generally, sleeping is now a weird, irregular experience. Getting out of bed, I'm still tired, dizzy, foggy. Lasts all day, really, that feeling. I'm not even sure it's helpful for my anxiety, though I do think I care a bit less about the stupid things. But after 9 days, I'm going to half the dose for two days, then stop."

• bal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2017

For Insomnia "I have suffered from diagnosed depression and anxiety for years. The last 6 months, I have insomnia that keeps me awake all night. I have tried many meds with limited success. I have now been put on 1/2 tab (7.5 mg) for one week, and then I am to go to the full 15 mg for one week and see my doctor. After my first 6 days, I sleep all night and all day. I am retired, I do not like the all-day dizziness and sleepy feeling. I am on other meds too and suffer from chronic vertigo related problems from a TBI (traumatic brain injury). I don't like being too sleepy during daytime, though I will try the 2-week formula. The comments from others have been very helpful. TY."

• Nya...
• February 1, 2021

For Depression "Started taking mirtazapine 30 mg a few days ago instead of sertraline. I also take 100 mg of quetiapine. Made me sleep a lot for the first two days, but yesterday I felt dizzy, started hallucinating, having very irrational thoughts."

• Ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2018

For Anxiety "Only on my second day because I hadn't slept for days, knocked me out totally, but the fatigue has been awful, also very dizzy with a nervous stomach and fast pulse. Contemplating stopping because I would rather feel rough through sleep deprivation than feel like this."

• kho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2024

For Anxiety "I was put on trazodone for 6 months, helped with my anxiety and sleepy-5 to 6 hours of sleep, but dizziness all day. I switched to 15 mg mirtazapine and after 3 weeks I get 8 hours of sleep, has helped with my anxiety. The only issue is dizziness and hoping after a few more weeks I would get relief."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

"I’ve taken this for 10 weeks and unfortunately with little to no improvement. I took 7.5 mg for 7 weeks because I couldn’t increase due to side effects. Primarily nausea, which is something I am already dealing with and why I was prescribed this medicine in the first place. Also dizziness and grogginess, but those weren’t too bad. I increased to 15 mg weeks 7-10 and am now starting to taper because side effects continued to increase without relief, and so I can try a new Rx. I took this not for depression or anxiety but for upper gastrointestinal issues: bloating, belching, reflux, fullness, nausea, etc. As I mentioned, I felt most of this got worse and experienced depression like I never have in my life. None of this is a knock to the medicine; it just goes to show that you really need to find the right one for you, and maybe when taking off-label it can cause additional side effects."

• Cic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2017

For Depression "Prescribed in tandem with Effexor for suicidal depression. Useful initially for sleep and anxiety reduction, but no noticeable effect on depression. Side effects hard to tolerate: significant weight gain (15 pounds in 6 weeks); excessive sedation during the daytime; sore, dry eyes; stomach pains; bladder pains and trouble urinating; coordination problems. Overall, feel 'toxic.' Could deal with this if the drug was effective, but I'm tapering off it ASAP. Would not wish to discourage anyone who might benefit from taking this medication, but the side effect profile is not fun."

• Not...
• December 16, 2017

For Insomnia "I've had these tablets as I could not sleep. OMG, I had a good sleep, but the side effects were bad. I had shakes, the sweats, and I felt very dizzy. I would recommend these tablets, but be aware of the side effects."

• Old...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2021

For Anxiety "I’ve been on mirtazapine for about a month. Started off at 15 mg for two weeks and upped per doctor to 30 mg. I sleep well but experience dizziness and nervousness throughout the day. I am weaning off buspirone but am also on 20 mg of Lexapro. My question is, are there people with the same condition, and how long was it before you felt better? I’m tired of being prescribed different drugs and want to give this one time to work. Stay safe, and thank you."