Mirtazapine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Kde...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Insomnia "It’s been 2 weeks since starting mirtazapine 7.5 mg for sleep. I’ve suffered from insomnia, depression, and anxiety for 6 years and have been on Ambien (horrible withdrawal and sleep paralysis), lorazepam, Rozerem (doesn’t work, very expensive), doxepin (weight gain and sexual dysfunction), clonidine (sexual dysfunction, horrible withdrawal, and hypotension), trazodone (orthostatic hypotension), and Seroquel (weight gain). I added mirtazapine 7.5 mg to my Prozac 20 mg for sleep maintenance issues. I have literally had no side effects and have also noticed my sexual dysfunction improving since starting mirtazapine. No weight gain, and I have actually lost 4 lbs since switching from doxepin. I sleep like a baby and wake up refreshed and energized for the day! Best sleep agent thus far! Looking forward to better night's rest on this drug, give it a try!"

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

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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."

• Dra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 3, 2019

For Depression "Have taken Mirtazapine for around nine years. I have taken all three different doses for lengthy periods, depending on the severity of my depression and anxiety. My advice would be to give it time if you find it's not helping. It won't be easy, but after four to six weeks on a new dose (adjusted according to how severe my symptoms are), the effects will become apparent. Trust me, I've been on this medication a long time. Yes, there are negative effects, i.e., weight gain, dry mouth, daytime lethargy. But it's a small price to pay for a sound mind. Plus, lifestyle choices can help reduce the negative side effects."

• sca...
• August 1, 2013

Mirtazapine 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2023

For Depression "I was prescribed 15 mg/day for depression with insomnia. While my sleep improved, I became very irritable and quick to anger. I had no patience. In addition, in only 4 weeks on this drug at what I was told was a low dose, I gained 10 pounds. I had terrible cravings, particularly for sweet foods, which is not typical for me. Even with regular exercise, I could not avoid the extra pounds. I am coming off the mirtazapine."

• lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2019

For Anxiety "Ah, mirtazapine. What a wonderful little pharmaceutical. I tried other medications and had pretty awful side effects, but this one worked for me in a few days. I started on 7.5 mg (just to work myself up to it as I was pretty anti-medication) and gradually increased to 15 mg. Within a week, my anxiety (panic disorder and agoraphobia) was completely manageable, and I got the confidence to start doing exposure therapy as I wasn't in a constant 12/10 crisis. Main issues: weight gain (nothing crazy yet) and tiredness/confusion. But, I've increased to 30 mg, and this has helped with the tiredness/confusion and seems to be pretty effective. Would recommend and highlight if your symptoms improve in the first few days, this drug will likely benefit you."

• Gar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2019

For Insomnia "I have nothing but good things to say about mirtazapine. Originally, I was prescribed it for insomnia, and it works well for that between a dosage of 7.5 and 15 mg. But also, it's been great for anxiety. After taking it at night, it stays in your system into the next day, so I do not freak out in public anymore - I can go to the stores without the racing heart and sweats. Sometimes it was so bad I abandoned my shopping cart and had to walk out due to the intense anxiety. Weight gain has happened, but I was underweight to begin with, so it's no problem."

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

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on mirtazapine for just over a year now, and it has done wonders for my mental health. I have struggled with anxiety and depression since my early teens, and this has worked wonders. I definitely noticed an increase in my appetite, so I have gained a bit of weight, but it's worth the mental stability. I'm on 30 mg a day, I started on 15 mg, but this wasn't a high enough dose. The only thing I'd note is that going off this cold turkey is a terrible idea. I missed a week because of a mistake on my doctor's behalf, and the withdrawals were terrible. I had the sweats, couldn't sleep, barely ate, and my depressed and anxious thoughts came back really strongly. Luckily, after three days of being back on it, I'm starting to feel better. Overall, I'm so happy this medication has worked for me and brought back a quality of life I'd been missing for years."

• LAD...
• February 21, 2016

For Insomnia "Taking 7.5mg, started one month ago. I was very nervous about taking my first dose, but it's improved my quality of life dramatically. I sleep around 2 hours after dosing, so I take it at about 8 pm. I do experience some rather odd dreams, which I find interesting rather than unpleasant, zero weight gain thus far. To anyone suffering from insomnia, don't be scared of this drug, it feels like a very natural sleep/tiredness feeling at 7.5mg."

• Mir...
• January 27, 2013

For Depression "So far I haven't seen anyone on here that's been on Remeron/Mirtazapine 45mg at night for more than 6 years. I've been on it for 11 years. I was put on this medicine in 2002 after my daughter was born. To save all the details my physical and mental health went out to rest somewhere leaving me in a body and mind that didn't belong to me. They tried me on every medicine available and nothing worked. The negative long term of this has been: weight gain, dizzy sometimes, dehydration and laziness. The positive is it gave me my life back. I, like others here, have found it's notorious for appetite. I could eat sugar right out of the bowl. I have had to make myself be more disciplined in my eating and exercise. I combat dehydration by keeping a cup of water with ice in it filled and drink on it all during the day. I am also moving into menopause so have to be very careful. I've heard some talk about the nightmares. Yep, have them too but only if I eat sugar before bed. Lay off the food 4 hours before you go to bed and it will get rid of those monsters under your bed. I have post-traumatic stress disorder and that causes most of my nightmares. Still, my sleep is awesome. I still have some anxiety from time to time but use Klonopin 0.5 to cut the edge off only when needed. I tried going off about 5 years ago and after about 3 days I couldn't sleep, think, or operate at any type of normalcy. I will have to add I also gained a concentration level I never had before. I went from a school drop-out that couldn't learn to a 3.9 GPA (40-year-old) who loves to read and learn! Compared to all the other stuff out there (and their side effects) I would have to say Remeron has proven to be the very best antidepressant I've ever taken."

• Bri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 18, 2016

For Insomnia "I have been using Mirtazapine for over 10 years. I started with a dose of 15mg which worked wonderfully for insomnia. However, during the first time of using it, I was suffering from anxiety. My doctor increased the dose to 30mg, which I was on for a few years, until the anxiety became worse. He then increased the dose to 45mg, which I found to be too strong as I noticed dizziness started to happen. So, I halved the dose to 45mg, and everything settled down. The dose was a little low, so I went back to 30mg and have been on this dose for the last 6 years. I do not experience side effects such as weight gain, dizziness, or photosensitivity. I have been on it for quite some time and do not plan on stopping as it works wonderfully."

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

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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)."

• nia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2020

For Depression "I’m on mirtazapine 15 mg. It works for me, but I’m asking my doctor to up the dosage soon, as I’m still not 100%. I experienced severe side effects on SSRIs (Prozac), so this is a good alternative (as it’s a NASSA). The side effects I experienced were quite bad lethargy and tiredness for the first 5 days or so, but after more than 2 months on it now, it doesn’t make me tired at all. I’ve also experienced weight gain, but that outweighs the benefits of this drug, so I’m happy to stay on mirtazapine despite that. Overall, I would definitely recommend this drug, especially to those who can’t be on SSRIs or SNRIs. (Also, I’m in the UK, so the insurance questions don’t really apply to me, but I pay the standard £9.50 or so for my prescription.)"

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Depression "This drug really worked for my depression and insomnia. It really helped me, but... I just could not control my appetite. As soon as I woke up, my first thought was eating, and after eating, I was thinking what to have next. My hunger was so out of control that I would eat until I was sick. I ended up gaining 25 lbs in 2 months. I had munchies from dawn to dusk. It was horrible. I don’t know if anyone else had this happen, but I had to get off of them, and since have lost 20 lbs of the 25 I gained. I would recommend if you can control your hunger, because I sure couldn’t."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2024

For Anxiety "I had chronic problems with sleep associated with anxiety and obsessive behaviors around sleep. I tried citalopram for anxiety years prior, which made me loads more anxious with panic attacks, etc., so I came off after 7 days. I decided to start myself off at 7.5 mg as I was so scared of taking them. The first few nights I needed to sleep so hard after 30 mins of taking it. That has worn off after a while. I’ve been on it for 2 years now. I increased to 15 mg after 1 week, then 30 mg after 6 weeks, which I have stayed with. Initially I felt no anxiety about anything, which was like being on holiday after being anxious for the last 10 years. I also didn’t feel much. My libido disappeared for a few months, but slowly it came back. The emotion came back too, and generally, I am a less anxious person. I also sleep 70% better than I did. I did gain 6 kg in the first 3 months, but that has stabilized now. I feel much better and not intending on coming off. If you are struggling, then try it!"

• jme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2021

For Depression "I envy so much all you people who have had benefit from this medication. The only thing it helped me with was pretty much instantly I was sleeping again (6-8) hrs per night compared to the 3 hours leading up to taking this medication. Despite constant exercise, within 2 weeks, I'd put on 6 kgs around my midsection. I was told it can take up to a month to work properly. It's now been just over a month that I've been on 30 mg, and I can completely understand why people commit suicide. Constant despair and crying over things that aren't relevant. Zero motivation or energy to do anything. I see nothing but despair and pain in my future. I will take my chances with no medication at all."

• fas...
• May 9, 2015

For Insomnia "This drug works fast. I'm 14 years old and have been having sleeping problems, tossing and turning and can't fall asleep, anxiety - can't even go in the car, eating and weight problems (loss of appetite), depression which is taking over my life making me suicidal, PTSD, and OCD. My doc first prescribed Zoloft, didn't do me any good, just made me feel so much sicker with its horrible side effects, and made me feel more suicidal and hopeless so I stopped. But my doc then prescribed me this Remeron. First night? Out like a light in 30 mins. Woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. Started eating breakfast, went from 82 lbs to 89 in a week (good news for me). If anyone as a teen has my symptoms, consider Remeron!"

• Nig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2014

For Insomnia "I experienced insomnia due to the stress of repeated night wakings from my baby coinciding with my husband leaving for a week at a time for work. I began with 7.5mg and it worked like a charm from the beginning. Some drowsiness in the morning but nothing a cup of coffee wouldn't cure. I gained 7 lbs but I am keeping track of calories now and that is almost off again. Could not say for certain if it was a result of this medicine because that happens if I am not paying attention anyway. Baby still wakes at night at times but I can go right back to sleep on this. I would recommend it to anyone with sleep issues."

• Pha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2021

For Insomnia "Mirtazapine is amazing for sleep. It’s the only antidepressant that actually increases REM sleep, the deeper restorative part of sleep. I was on a low dose of amitriptyline for sleep, but with long-term use, there is a risk of dementia due to anticholinergic effects and also heart damage due to QT prolongation. Mirtazapine has none of these, and can be safely prescribed with SSRIs as it doesn’t increase serotonin but rather blocks certain serotonin receptors. Anyway, the biggest risk is weight gain, but I found I didn’t gain any. Yeah, you do get cravings at times, but what I did was reach for an apple rather than a chocolate bar. The effect does reduce with time. If anything, it forces you to eat more healthily. Take it a good 2 hours before you go to bed so you can get up in the morning. I take 3.75 mg and sleep well every night."