Mirtazapine and Increased Appetite: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2020

For Anxiety "I switched from being on sertraline (Zoloft) for 4 years to mirtazapine because sertraline caused a stomach ulcer. It was hard to get used to mirtazapine as I felt dizzy and very tired for almost 2 weeks. I slept 12-14 hours a day, and even more over the weekend. I've always struggled with sleeping too little, this only got a little bit better over time, and therefore I decided to stop as there was little left of the day. Also, I was constantly hungry, particularly for chocolate, and gained probably about 2 kilos over 6 weeks' time."

• mar...
• January 4, 2011

Mirtazapine for Depression "Remeron has helped me a great deal. It has helped me sleep, which was non-existent for such a long time, and I can finally function during the day. Whoever created Remeron needs to be congratulated because nothing - and I tried almost everything imaginable to sleep - has made me able to get some rest. My physical health has benefited from the rest a great deal. The only side effect I have gotten is hunger at night when I take it, but it is a very small price to pay that can be fought off. I have not gained any weight, but I do get hungry easily, though. I am on 45 mg, and it is wonderful, I can sleep and then get up and actually want to do things. I am on it with Cymbalta, which helps with my fibromyalgia. I highly recommend it."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2020

Mirtazapine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have MDD, and my anxiety used to be really bad. The first week I took Remeron, I was knocked out on the first night and really groggy in the morning, and I remember being really hungry. I used to have a problem with my appetite, and I could never finish my food. I was at least 42 kg. But now I can finish my food, my appetite is really good, and I get enough sleep! Dreams are kind of weird, though. I read some bad reviews, but my experience has been great, and I’m on my 13th week, and the dosage is 30 mg. Just give it a few more weeks, and everything starts to get okay, and moods will start regulating like normal. If anyone else is taking this, do know that your appetite will increase, so get more exercise and watch what you eat!"

• Nat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 5, 2018

For Hot Flashes "I have taken mirtazapine since 2006, both to reduce my severe face flushing (rosacea) as well as to help with depression and anxiety. It works very well for all of those three for me. I noticed an improvement within weeks, and I love how it took away the deepest depths of my depression without numbing me or altering my personality. My anxiety is also significantly reduced, and I no longer flush and burn all the time (I'd say it helps reduce about 50% of them). I also sleep like a log on it, typically 8 to 9 hours straight, with very pleasant and lively dreams. It took a good few months, however, to get over the side effects of drowsiness, tiredness, itchy legs, and even some 'brain zaps' in the beginning. The only side effect I notice is increased appetite, never feeling full, always being hungry, and despite sticking to the same amount of calories as before, weight gain. I know that is the biggest fear of many people. But the quality of life this med gave me outweighs (lol) the downsides."

• LCG...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2015

For Depression "I was on this years ago after having tried SSRIs, which really messed me up and then caused nasty withdrawals. It is amazing - it works fast - and no side effects except increased appetite. This time around, I need that because I lost so much weight having no appetite. I avoided social situations and drank wine just to calm anxiety or relax. This zonks you out into a great slumber, so take a bedtime for sure. I stay at 15 mg, but the doctor said in the future might raise. It really is awesome. You just feel stable and normal and pleased to do daily activities I used to avoid."

• jas...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 13, 2016

For Insomnia "I've been on 15 mg of mirtazapine for about 8 years. I was put on this medicine for insomnia. It works perfectly 99% of the time as long as I take it about 1.5 hours after eating. If I eat anything later, it doesn't work. It has not increased my appetite, however, when I was first put on it, I was on 45 mg, which did make me hungry. I have a 3.5-year-old who goes to preschool at 8 but gets up around 5. I go to bed at 7. I stop eating at 4, take my meds at 5:30, and by 7, I fall asleep pretty quickly. If I eat after 4, the medicine will not put me to sleep. I have to take Ambien."

• Dal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 8, 2017

For Depression "I finally wound up on Remeron about 15 years ago (circa 2002), after going through many SSRI antidepressants. All of the SSRIs I have tried have caused sexual side effects that I don't want to tolerate (delayed ejaculation). Remeron does not do this, in fact, it seems to make it very easy to achieve orgasm. The only downside to mirtazapine is that it increases your appetite, and you have to fight the urge to eat too many carbs. It controls my anxiety, depression, and OCD excellently."

• Str...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 4, 2021

For Insomnia "This drug, mirtazapine, will help you sleep and maybe help your depression. But you will eat. After a full meal, you will still be hungry. This drug will make you eat your shoes and anything that is not nailed down. You will get up at 3 in the morning and eat a full dinner meal, like 2 veg and the lot. You will end up the size of a large house. Beware."

• Aun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2016

For Insomnia "Due to the stress and anxiety over my parents' ill health and my need to provide caregiving to them, I wasn't sleeping. Had restless leg syndrome as well as just plain not being able to get to sleep. My doctor prescribed Zoloft for the anxiety and lorazepam for my insomnia, which worked perfectly, but I discovered that I can't take benzodiazepines because of random drug tests at work, so he switched me to mirtazapine, 30 mg at night. It worked OK for 2 months, but now I'm back to where I was before. With the lorazepam, I didn't dream, I slept deeply and awoke refreshed and with no hangover. With the mirtazapine, it's hard now to fall asleep, and I have strange dreams. Appetite has also increased horribly, which defeats my weight loss goal."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 18, 2017

For Anxiety "I was prescribed 15 MG for anxiety, nervousness, and troubles sleeping. I struggled to fall asleep and only slept for 3-5 hours. I'm now getting a full night's sleep, 8 hrs+. I recommend taking them a good 1-2 hrs before bed (I usually take them at 20:00, and my alarm is set for 7:00 - 7:30). I find it a struggle to get up and out of bed, but that is normal for me. I get a really good night's sleep and some pretty funky dreams. If I do wake up for any reason, it isn't long before I fall back to sleep. They melt on your tongue and have a slight orangey taste, and leave your mouth numb, but not for long. My anxiety has calmed down a lot, and I was sleeping a bit better after week 3. My appetite increased for the 1st month but returned to normal."

• Lis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2025

For Anxiety "I’d go as far as to say that it changed my life. Of course, there’s a lot more to it, i.e., getting therapy, building new habits, being more open with people. I started on 15 mg for 2 years and recently had it changed to 30 mg. The fact that this medication a) helps to get you to sleep every night and b) to eat more is what helped me the most. I’ve always had a really janky sleeping schedule because I would be kept up late most nights with OCD spirals, but now even 2 and a half years later, it puts me to sleep no matter what. And with the eating, some people really don’t like the effect of increased appetite, but for someone like me who was very underweight for my whole life and only now in my early 20s has gained a healthy weight - it’s changed my relationship with diet and sleep for the better, and I can’t have been more grateful. It makes me feel like I can observe my intrusive thoughts and feelings more lucidly."

• Bub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I'm about 4 weeks in on 15 mg, slowly transitioning to 30 mg. I'm a 6'2 male in my mid-30s, and before I began mirtazapine, I was 182 pounds. Today, I'm 199 pounds in just 4 weeks! One other condition this drug is used for is an appetite stimulant, and I can see why, as I will eat anything anyone puts in front of me. I feel like an ogre now when I eat, literally, I can eat 2 full meals at a time. Trying to exercise more to fight off the crazy gains. Overall, I'm taking this for major depression, anxiety, and insomnia. So far, so good for those three, things are slowly getting better. The dreams from mirtazapine are crazy! Every night is a new adventure. I don't feel too groggy the next day. I will post an update in a few weeks once the 30 mg has a chance to kick in."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2019

For Insomnia "This med changed my life. I was getting 3-4 hours of sleep a day, if I was lucky. I'm not depressive, but after years of bouncing between EVERY sleep med, I was slowly going crazy and not living my full self. Taking Ambien or Lunesta was just a tranquilizer, and I could not function the next day. With this, because it's the most powerful antihistamine available, once you wake up, it only takes 15 minutes or so to get going again. The side effects are no joke. Because it messes with your H1 system, you are constantly hungry, all day long. No lie. You must be aware and prepared for that as it takes some mental fortitude to not eat all day, even if you're not an over-eater. I have not tried to come off this med yet, but I hear headaches and mood changes are common. But I've been on it for 6 months now, and I sleep 8 hours a day for the first time in my life. It's LITERALLY changed my life for the better. Voracious appetite is no understatement."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2021

For Anxiety "Mirtazapine has been very helpful for me. I have been on it for 7 weeks so far; the first two at 15 mg per day and the last five at 30 mg. Before that, I was on Sertraline and, before that, Venlafaxine. Neither worked for the anxiety/depression I was suffering. With mirtazapine, I saw improvement from day 1: I slept better, and the anxiety started to diminish. After three weeks, I actually wanted to do the things (such as meet other people socially) that previously I avoided. The downside initially was that I felt very tired/groggy for the first few days, although this improved rapidly. My appetite increased significantly, and I have gained 10 pounds, which I am now trying to address with stricter control of my diet and more exercise. From reading other reviews, I am a little concerned about the long term: whether this medication will stop working and/or the problems to be faced when trying to get off it. Right now, however, I would say that mirtazapine has turned my life around."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2012

Mirtazapine 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."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2019

Mirtazapine for Depression "Been on 45 mgs of Remeron for 2 months, which enables me to get some sleep. Everyone is different because nothing else really worked for me. With the exception of Seroquel, but I had to be on a ridiculously high dose (600 mgs). Remeron has caused me to eat more than I usually do. I just hope that it continues to work."

• Zar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2013

For Depression "I have suffered from severe depression over the past 12 years and was on citalopram, which was not controlling my depression at all. Now, having had my meds changed two months ago, I am like a new person-no, I am like how I should be. I had a change in my mood after less than a week, and now I can look forward to a hopeful future. Unfortunately, I did suffer side effects, including very weird vivid dreams, feeling exhausted, confused, dizziness, vertigo, and increased appetite. All of these symptoms have now subsided, and I feel they were worth battling with to get to where I am now. However, I would not have been able to work during this period or make responsible decisions. Overall, I would recommend."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2023

For Anxiety "I started taking this medicine two weeks ago. I feel all it does is give me hunger pains, I am never full, and I have only gotten a couple of full nights' sleep since starting it. I have also developed a shake in my leg whilst driving, seemingly another side effect. I am just wondering if anyone else has the same experience whilst taking it?"

• Cal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2017

For Insomnia "By far, mirtazapine has been the best medication I've ever taken for insomnia - and I've tried, perhaps, around 20 different supplements and prescription drugs for insomnia over the years. Be wary of some of the 'warnings' that others have given; their individual side effects may not apply to you. If you have insomnia, give it a try. Everybody responds in their own unique way. I did experience an increase in appetite at 30 mg, but not at 15 mg or 7.5 mg - and that's all most people need if mirtazapine is taken for insomnia. Good luck to all of you!"

• Twa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2019

For Depression "Found this stuff horrendous. Made me a million times worse. The first few days on mirtazapine, the sedative element helped me sleep, but after that, the frustration and anger felt like I had clarity but was less in control than ever. The hunger was unreal, literally craving everything and anything in sight, piling on weight. Clearly helps some people, but please be aware the side effects can be worse."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

For Anxiety "Crazy, vivid dreams. Dry mouth and insatiable thirst. Increased appetite, which subsided after a few weeks - stock your fridge with healthy food only, or you will stack on the weight. Can sleep the entire night without waking, however, oversleeping is a problem (10 hours), and I don't want to get out of bed (the vivid dreams are more exciting than life). Less anxiety. Increased concentration, less procrastination. Sensation in my eyes (dry?) - people say I always look tired. Restless leg syndrome for the first month of treatment. I'm surprised nobody on this forum has mentioned vivid dreams."

• Bab...
• August 16, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been taking a low dose of mirtazapine (3.75 mgs) for about 10 weeks now for anxiety, insomnia, and mild depression. I was prescribed this after being unable to tolerate SSRI antidepressants and having a very bad reaction to Lexapro. Mirtazapine has worked well for insomnia, and I started noticing improvements in anxiety levels and mood within 3-4 weeks of starting. I initially had a mild increase in appetite, but no weight gain, and my appetite is now normal. The drawback to this medication is daytime fatigue/groggy sensation that does not lift until late afternoon. I was told this would improve with time, but it has not. For this reason, I will likely taper off the medication soon - not something I can put up with long term despite being effective for insomnia/anxiety."

• per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2013

For Depression "I started taking mirtazapine 30 mg five weeks ago, and it has made such a difference to me. I also take 20 mg Paxil, but that had stopped helping with my depression. I have an anxiety disorder and also obsessive-compulsive disorder, pure O. I was zonked out by the mirtazapine for about 10 days, but after that, the fog cleared, and right from the word go, my anxiety practically disappeared. I have had increased appetite and gained some weight, but nothing to worry about-probably about 8 pounds. I am small and weigh now about 139 pounds. The other side effect that was annoying was a bloated stomach and swollen feet, but that has gone away over the past week. I would seriously give this medicine a good few months if you are suffering as I was, give it time."

• Ana...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 9, 2017

For Anxiety "Loved this medication. Particularly loved the sedative side effect because I had been unable to sleep more than an hour or two at a time prior to taking mirtazapine. The only drawback was that my appetite and consequently my weight increased dramatically over time. After taking it for 10 years, I had to find a medication that would not make it so difficult to lose and maintain weight, but I have never found a medication that made me feel so good, relaxed, and able to sleep."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2015

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Mirtazapine is a great medication. It was my first antidepressant. I would say it's very mild compared to other antidepressants. The only problem was that I was eating too much, waking up at night to eat chocolate, and I put on weight a lot! I think that I had restless legs syndrome too. Apart from that, I was happy, no sexual dysfunction, great sleep. But after a couple of months, I had panic attacks again. My body got used to it, and my doctor increased the dose, even that couldn't help. I was on the highest dose... So I had to change my medication."