Mirtazapine and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Max...
• July 9, 2014

For Insomnia "I have been using Remeron for sleep on and off for a couple of years. This is the only non-habit-forming one I know of that really works. I take a tiny dose-about 2 mg, or 1/8th of a 15 mg tablet (which is tricky to do with a pill cutter). Best results if I take it an hour or two before bedtime. Sleep quality is usually very good. The only side effect is minor grogginess, which is nothing compared to what happens with insomnia. I recommend it very highly. Too bad it's not better known in the medical community."

• K_T...
• September 12, 2009

Mirtazapine 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."

• Jas...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2014

For Insomnia "I have suffered from insomnia for the majority of my adult life. It seems like my mind does not want to slow down. I now take 30 mg of mirtazapine at bedtime, and I must say that it is an amazing medication. I do tend to be a bit groggy when I first get up, but like the post earlier, it is nothing compared to the 'walking dead' feeling that insomnia gave me. I highly recommend it."

• Ban...
• February 10, 2020

For Insomnia "I was given these tablets Mirtazapine 15mg because I suffer from anxiety, depression, and insomnia. I slept for a whole 2 days. I obviously got up to go to the loo, but was walking into doors and door frames. I eventually came around but was left feeling very groggy and dizzy. I couldn’t possibly have driven a car and was unable to even make a meal. I still don’t feel back to normal after 3 days. Won’t be taking them again. I lost a whole weekend."

• Jel...
• June 11, 2016

For Insomnia "I find a few crumbs of mirtazapine a great aid to sleep. I can get about 10 doses out of a 30mg tablet. I tend to use it at the weekend as it sometimes leaves me a little drowsy the next day. I was originally prescribed 30 mg daily for depression but found that way too heavy. Now it's just occasional use if I've not been sleeping too well. But super small doses are effective for sleep and you can avoid the side effects."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2019

For Anxiety "This mirtazapine saved my job, my life, and my relationship. The only side effects I found were, in the first 2 weeks, brain zapping and drowsiness/clumsiness. Interestingly, this drug took immediate effect for me after day one of taking it. You could attribute this to a placebo effect, however, this significant improvement in reducing my overwhelming anxiety continued throughout my taking it. I was on 15mg, and that was enough for me. Also, another side effect I had for around the first 1.5 months was increased appetite, I could eat and eat and eat, and I would still feel like I could continue eating. There wasn’t a point where I knew that I was satiated. At around 3 months, I started to feel like my anxiety levels were normalizing. I began to feel more like myself and could see through the mist. I had no withdrawal symptoms when I weaned off of them. Anyone suffering from depression complicated by anxiety and sleep issues, I would highly recommend based on my experience."

• Ton...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I've been taking sertraline for about a year now (50mg > 100mg > 50mg) and this is only my first day into taking 15mg mirtazapine. The side effects of sertraline made it so I was always physically tired and yet found it incredibly hard to sleep, staying up until 5/6 am and having terrible nightmares (that seemed more often than before), then waking up between 12-3 naturally. I had my first mirtazapine tablet last night and slept like a baby from 2/3 am (when I took it) to 10:30 am. NO NIGHTMARES! And no alarms. I did fall back asleep around 2 pm until 6 pm and I'm very drowsy but it's all mental tiredness. My body feels like I could go for a run. I'll give another review in a month but I think this medication could be very promising. Good luck to whoever is reading this, hope you are coping better soon."

• ser...
• February 10, 2015

For Anxiety "I was having massive problems with anxiety caused by constant heart palpitations or PVCs. I was having a lot of trouble going to bed at night. This honestly fixed me overnight. I couldn't believe it just worked so fast. I was very groggy the first morning waking up, but this has really given me my life back."

• sle...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 17, 2014

For Insomnia "I have battled insomnia for most of my adult life. I was prescribed sleeping pills, what a disaster. My doctor was hesitant to prescribe this medication as weight gain is a side effect. She prescribed 7.5 to 15 mg a night, and my sleep has been sound for over 2 years now. I gained probably 5-7 pounds gradually, then stopped gaining. I do exercise and eat well, this helps with sleep also. Sometimes I have daytime grogginess, but usually not a problem. This medication was a Godsend for me."

• Mot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2016

For Anxiety "I started taking this over a month ago for anxiety. I had terrible physical symptoms of anxiety, including numbness, pins and needles, and burning in my limbs. I was having panic attacks on a daily basis for about 6 months and was feeling incredibly disconnected from my life and surroundings. I was put on 15mg once a day and I cannot express how much this drug has changed my life. The first day after taking it, I was incredibly drowsy, however, that subsided within two weeks - I still get drowsy after taking it, but I've never slept better and I wake up fine. I did have increased hunger for about three weeks, but I just continued my normal diet/exercise so I had absolutely no weight gain and my appetite has returned to normal."

• Ish...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2020

For Anxiety "Mirtazapine helps with anxiety and panic, but the side effects are strong. Heavy sedation occurs after taking it (30 minutes and I'm knocked out), and extreme tiredness persists the whole next day. There are strong cravings for the first week, but they wear off (everyone is different). No sexual side effects noticed. Please do not rely solely on this or any other medication to cure your anxiety. It will help but seeing a therapist and reading helpful books to address the root issues and mindsets is important. Some recommended books are 'Complete Self-Help for Your Nerves' by Claire Weekes, 'At Last a Life' by Paul David, 'Dare' by Barry McDonagh, 'No Worries' by Sarah Edalman, and 'Rewire Your Anxious Brain' by Catherine Pittman."

• -D-...
• May 25, 2016

Mirtazapine 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."

• dep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

For Depression "The worst drug I have ever tried. Mirtazapine almost killed me, and I had to demand to stop this medication after three days. I have depression and anxiety, and this made it so much worse. I felt like a literal zombie, I wasn't sure where I was at times. I binge-ate as well and felt very sleepy all day. I had trouble doing my job. I would get strong suicidal thoughts that came in waves, so strong that if I continued this drug, I would have worked past my survival instinct and ended it all. I know antidepressants work differently for everyone, but this stuff is absolute junk! Suicidal thoughts aside, depressed people don't deserve a chemical lobotomy called mirtazapine."

• Scr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2020

For Anxiety "This drug really worked for me, but I had to discontinue it. I did experience grogginess in the morning. It took me a while to get going, but once I was up and around, I was fine. I’d take that over not sleeping any day. It was also very effective for my anxiety at 15 mg. It also has no sexual side effects for me (male), which was huge. In fact, I think it may have helped my libido a bit. Now, the bad: I could not stop eating on it. It was crazy. It was like something took over my body. I could eat a large pizza and a box of cupcakes, almost cry because I didn’t want to eat anymore and knew I was out of control, and then 10 minutes later be in the kitchen tearing through the kids’ cereal and whatever else I could get my hands on. I put on 25 lbs in less than 2 months with no signs of slowing down. It really sucks because it was great in all other aspects for me."

• Std...
• October 8, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Mirtazapine has been a godsend for insomnia. I’ve been on combinations of escitalopram and trazodone, sertraline and trazodone, then added Wellbutrin to the mix (to counteract the drowsiness/other side effects), and have been on mirtazapine 37.5 mg and a lowered dose of sertraline (was 150 mg, now 100 mg). I haven’t slept properly since I was 10 years old, and have only recently realized how important it has been to my mental and emotional health. If I’m having a horrible day full of anxiety attacks, mirtazapine can knock me out for 9-10 hours, and I wake up and can try again. It’s hell to keep experimenting with meds, but if you find a combo that gets your sleep right and crazy panic attacks down, work out every day (try martial arts/mma), cut toxic people out of your life, surround yourself with family and genuine friends, and go to therapy even if you find yourself saying the same thing every time. The meds aren’t your only solution. You can do this. Keep fighting."

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

Mirtazapine 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."

• Uma...
• April 13, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I've been on mirtazapine 30 mg for 5 months now, and it's definitely the only medication I've tried that seems to be effective. I have complex post-traumatic stress disorder, and it has helped me quite a lot with that. My anxiety has been reduced significantly, and I no longer feel depressed. At the beginning, I did have difficulty waking up in the morning and staying awake due to the grogginess I felt, but now, I don't have this problem at all, and I even find myself waking up at 6-7 in the morning naturally. The only downside to this medication is the fact that it'll make you so, so hungry to the point that it can become quite painful. All you want to eat is chocolate, sweets, ice cream, biscuits, etc., and the cravings are quite difficult to deal with. This does gradually decrease over time, and it does become easier to manage. You can definitely combat these side effects if you find them becoming an issue."

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

Mirtazapine 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."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

For Anxiety "Mirtazapine has changed my life. I went from having 5+ panic attacks from severe GAD that landed me in a stabilization unit where I was put on Mirtazapine 7.5 mg. The first few days all I wanted to do was sleep. But I noticed an increased appetite and elevation of my mood the very first day, and no panic attacks. I also have MDD. I am super sensitive to medication, so over a month I went up to 15 mg. The drowsiness wore off after about 3 weeks. I have had no other side effects. This is the only medication that has worked for me after trying 8 different ones. SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypicals caused too many side effects for me. So thankful to have this. Stick through the drowsiness. It is worth the brighter days."

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

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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."

• MJa...
• March 29, 2021

For Anxiety "Anxiety for 30 years and terrified of medication. I was hospitalized in 2020 for anxiety. I did not care if I was alive or not. I had been taking a small dose of Lexapro, the doctor upped the dose, which caused me increased anxiety. At the hospital, I was given BuSpar and Lexapro. I was not getting better on day 6 of my stay, the doctor gave 15 mg of Remeron for sleep, and my appetite was back. I woke up in the morning 100% better, groggy but no anxiety, which was incredible. At home, I started reading comments about mirtazapine and looked at the necessity of taking a full dose as unnecessary. It has been an up/down few months. I tried Celexa, Effexor, Lexapro, and with me taking a very minimal amount of mirtazapine at night, which does help me sleep wonderfully, but my anxiety is awful. I am going to increase my small 1/8 dose of mirtazapine at night in hopes that I can recover that feeling of freedom I had when leaving the hospital. This is the only medication I have ever taken that has made me feel significantly less anxious. Give it a try."

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

Mirtazapine 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."