Mirtazapine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• cat...
• January 19, 2012

Mirtazapine 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."

• Vow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2020

For Insomnia "Well, first 4 weeks on this drug, I was sleeping through the night after suffering with insomnia for a while. I thought great, brilliant even. Then, all of a sudden, it stopped working. My anxiety and depression went through the roof. Doctors wanted me to increase my dosage, but all I wanted to do was come off it. I put on weight and was getting no benefits. Mirtazapine is known to be more sedating at lower doses, so why increase me to 30 mg or 45 mg? I came off and moved to sertraline. Let's see how this goes. I know it won't help insomnia, but it should help my anxiety over the issue. Mirtazapine made me feel great for a while, then just seemed to give out on me."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2011

Mirtazapine 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."

• Lin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 4, 2019

For Insomnia "I was prescribed Mirtazapine 15 mg in 2013 for depression and sleep. My experience is I make sure that I get a good 8 hours of sleep in order for this medication to work, and I feel great the next day. If I take this medication late at night and do not get enough sleep, I don't feel good at all the next morning. For me, it takes around 1 hour to kick in. As for weight gain, I did gain weight when I first started taking this medication-about a couple of months. Then it tapered off, and my weight stabilized and was back to normal. If you're taking Mirtazapine and sleeping for only 6 or 7 hours, you will not feel good the next day. I have been taking Mirtazapine for 6 years, no complaints."

• Pin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "When Escitalopram 20+10=30 mg failed to cope with MDD after 9 years, then also failed trazodone, desvenlafaxine... but Mirtazapine 15 mg saved me. It's a lifesaver for me. Now I'm taking escitalopram 20+10 mg with Mirtazapine 15 mg and Lithium carbonate 400 mg. Suicidal thoughts are gone. Love you, Remeron. In treatment-resistant depression, Mirtazapine showed wonders. Please don’t stop your drug after showing negative reviews. Remember, all antidepressants are different. I didn't have any weight gain, make sure you have a healthy diet."

• Ano...
• August 12, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been taking these for about 6 months on 15 mg. I actually have zero to no side effects apart from the occasional morning drowsiness, but nothing to the extent that I felt in the first two weeks. I also have had minimal weight gain. I'm really petite, so I was quite worried about that side effect. I've only put on about 3 kilos, which, if anything, has made me look a lot healthier. I did lose about 1 kilo by cutting out red meat, potato, white bread, etc. I did get cravings when I was first on it, but that subsided. All I can say is that it's worth waiting it out with this drug. It brings you to a really calm place where you can beat the anxiety. It doesn't 'cure' anxiety, but with CBT exercise, I have never been in a better place."

• sar...
• November 5, 2013

For Insomnia "I have been taking Remeron for a year for my severe insomnia. It works great for sleep for the first 2 days for me. I now take it with melatonin, and I'm able to sleep. The downside is that I gained 37 pounds on this medication in a year. Eight pounds were put on in the first 12 days. I barely eat now, and my weight still increases. So I have begun tapering off of this medication and will be going back to Vistaril. The Remeron isn't worth the damage to my overall health. I am a naturally skinny person who can eat anything I want and not gain. This medication affects your metabolism. It is not just increased appetite. I was a size 0-3 when I started, I'm now size 11. I would only recommend this as a temporary fix."

• OnA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2019

For Anxiety "I have severe panic attacks/anxiety and mild depression. I’ve been on 15 mg of mirtazapine for 4 months, and it’s done wonders for me, except the weight gain, but that’s not too bad. Recently, though, I’ve started getting panic attacks again and will up my dose to 30 mg. Praying all goes well. Will post an update soon."

• xby...
• October 25, 2009

Mirtazapine 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."

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

Mirtazapine 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."

• ajs...
• December 28, 2016

For Insomnia "Extremely effective at curing my insomnia. I struggled to sleep, probably due to anxiety related to my job/future for over a year. It took over 2 hours to sleep, and even then sometimes I couldn't. I was continually getting under 5 hours of sleep, and sometimes only 2 a night. It really cost me big time! If you are suffering from a similar case, give the drug a try. My appetite increased a lot, so I am expecting weight gain."

• Bob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 30, 2023

For Insomnia "I've been taking this for the past 6 months after having severe insomnia for the past few years-just impossible to fall asleep. I've attributed it to anxiety and over-sensitivity to environmental stimuli (I sleep with a sleep mask and earplugs and still can't fall asleep). Mirtazapine helped me, I have been sleeping so well and have been less anxious. I didn't notice any changes in my weight or appetite, which was what I was most worried about since I have a history of disordered eating. It got to the point, though, where I was so worried about possible weight gain or metabolism changes due to the medication that I went off it for a few weeks-back to zzzQuil and melatonin and borrowing my partner's Klonopin now and then. I also tried hydroxyzine, which, even at a high dosage, did nothing other than clear out my nasal passages to the point of pain. Nothing worked! I'm back on mirtazapine now and feel great."

• Dar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 25, 2019

For Insomnia "I started this drug in 2013-2014 because I was an Iraq and Afghanistan war vet. I was manic as hell. Drinking 151 rum and running 5 miles a day, killing it. I was a US Army captain. I worked out twice a day. At age 38, I ran 2 miles in 12 minutes. I ate a lot and drank a lot and was 150 lb. I drank coffee all morning while chomping on Xanax like Skittles and felt great. Finally, I went nuts. Landed in the hospital. No more benzos, no coffee, no booze. Remeron, Depakote. Mirtazapine, at first, and still does put me in a deep, deep REM Cinderella coma sleep. And that feels great. But I get weird dreams, nightmares, vivid dreams, and weight gain. Waking up is slow and tough. But I feel rested. Weight gain, yes. For insomnia and mania, this drug will knock you out."

• Moc...
• January 20, 2018

For Anxiety "After suffering what could only be classed as a “mental breakdown” from anxiety and depression, I was put on citalopram (horrendous) and then sertraline (which left me suicidal), and finally a doctor prescribed me mirtazapine. For the first 5-7 days, I felt sedated, but that could have been because of the comedown from the worst bout of anxiety I’d ever experienced. I immediately felt better, I slept properly for the first time in months, and my anxiety immediately reduced. I was on 15 mg for over a year, now reduced to 7.5 mg (no withdrawal). This medication literally saved my life, and I’ll continue to take it long-term. Only side effect (aside from the initial sedation) I had was slight weight gain. I went from 52 kg to 55 kg."

• Sim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2024

For Anxiety "As someone who was previously fearful of ever taking antidepressants, Mirtazapine has exceeded my expectations. Due to an unexpected life event, I became really depressed and anxious. This led to me going up to 4 days without sleep, and I was constantly in an anxious rut, which at one point made me suicidal. After 8 months, I finally resigned to taking Mirtazapine, which was prescribed by my GP (I take 7.5 mg at night). It has improved my sleep significantly and helped me get out of the anxious rut, and I now feel like my normal self. I have put on some weight, but to me, this side effect outweighs the state I was in before. Sometimes you have to weigh the benefits of a drug against the side effects. I would rather be a little larger and happier than anxious/depressed. If you are worried about taking Mirtazapine, there is no harm in trying it, if it doesn't work for you, you can always come off it. However, I would say at least try it for one month before giving up. Highly recommend!!"

• Lol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2019

For Anxiety "I feel on top of the world. It has taken two weeks for the mirtazapine to kick in, and I've wanted to do more work around my house and have more energy. I would recommend this to folks who can't be bothered to do anything and are suffering from anxiety. Get snacks that are fat-free to keep your weight under control."

• Sha...
• February 11, 2017

For Depression "I have been on mirtazapine 30 mg now for 3 months. I have BPD and Asperger's. I have depression, anxiety, and OCD. I have tried all antidepressants you can think of, and all gave me increased sweating, insomnia, and a stuffy nose. My psychiatrist even tried antipsychotics and mood meds, all had really bad side effects, including massive weight gain. He put me on mirtazapine, and I slept really well, no side effects whatsoever. It does cause increased appetite, but I take 2 Phenergan 50 mg with it, which is an OTC antihistamine, and that stops the increased appetite because the main side effect of Phenergan is decreased appetite. I'm from the UK, and I know you can't get it in the US. But I'm sure you can buy it online. Hope this review helps."

• Fee...
• July 16, 2019

For Anxiety "I was unwell with anxiety for 2 years. The previous time I had a bout of this, I was given Fluoxetine. It took a year to work. I stopped taking it, then anxiety came back. I could not sleep, and my heart was beating so fast. The doctor prescribed me Fluoxetine again, it did not work. Then the doctor prescribed Mirtazapine. On Sunday, I took a 15 mg tablet. For the first time, I had not woken up with rapid heartbeats and panic for ages. I slept 13 hours, got up looking forward to the day. I went shopping and enjoyed it. I went to a work party I had been dreading. I am feeling like me again, not different or weird, just me. I have now been taking it for nearly 2 months, gained some weight, but when I was anxious, I could hardly eat, so now I think, well, my appetite has increased, and so I will work on that-walking and swimming again. I would recommend you try this drug if you feel as ill as I did. I will continue to work on the weight, some things are worth the effort. I am still taking the Fluoxetine, but this will gradually be stopped."

• Sus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 22, 2014

For Insomnia "Started taking it for sleep, and it works like a charm. Big problem? I knew I was packing on the pounds due to winter, etc., but was mortified when I went to the doctor today and got weighed. Twenty pounds in 3 months? I don't want to stop taking it, so I'm trying to break 15 mg tabs in half. I can say that I will HAVE to find an alternative if that doesn't do the trick. The weight gain far outweighs any benefits I've gotten."

• Do ...
• December 24, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Trigger warning - bad experiences in life ahead. I’ve been on mirtazapine for about a year now, and I can say it’s certainly helped. I have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety. At the most, mirtazapine has helped me feel calm and more stable, as well as helping me sleep at night. Even though it helps you sleep, it can be a real pain getting up in the morning, but to me, the pros outweigh the cons. I had put on a bit of weight while being on mirtazapine, but being stable is completely worth it. I started on 15mg and had a couple of traumatic things happen in my life, which led the doctor to raise my dosage to 30mg, which is working wonderfully. It’s a massive help to assist me in coping with everyday life, but drugs affect everyone differently. It’s definitely worth a go, but please remember things may get a tad worse over the 2-4 week period of when you first start taking it."

• Jes...
• February 7, 2017

For Depression "Hated it. Was prescribed 30 mg. Slept 14 hrs a day, restless leg syndrome, gained 40 lbs, moody and irritable constantly, and anxiety-ridden. Finally tired of this horrible drug, I researched a replacement. There isn't one. It's in a class of its own. Desperate, I cut my pills all in half and let me tell you! One week later, I'm the old me again, I feel energized after 8 hrs of sleep, no middle-of-the-night candy cravings, and I'm finally able to talk to others without wishing they'd shut the hell up! I feel like Remeron took 2 years of my life from me."

• Ram...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 22, 2018

For Anxiety "Been on this antidepressant for over 15 years, very good antidepressant. I started off on the highest dose, which is 45 mg per day. It does help with anxiety and depression very well. It is best to take it at night, although I’ve now switched from night to morning, as I feel this helps relax me throughout the day. Chances are you will gain weight, but that’s a small price to pay for some happiness."

• The...
• December 21, 2014

For Insomnia "Long story short, chronic insomnia for years, got really bad about a year ago, even benzodiazepines stopped working. Remeron works somewhat even where benzodiazepines have failed. I'm up to 3-5 hours of continuous sleep per night from ~45 mins of spread sleep per 24-72 hours. It's not perfect yet, but it's definitely on a good path! Only thing slightly troubling is that I gained 20 lbs in 1 month (my insomnia had caused some severe weight loss and appetite suppression, so since Remeron helps with appetite AND causes weight gain, as well as having stopped amphetamines for my ADHD, my renewed appetite might have made me overindulge too much). I definitively recommend this to anyone with either insomnia or appetite issues (of the lower end obviously)."

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

Mirtazapine 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."

• Nom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 30, 2023

For Depression "I was first introduced to mirtazapine by my doctor, who felt that my prescription of Deptran (prescribed by my former doctor) was obsolete with new antidepressants on the market. I was prescribed mirtazapine. Unfortunately, after years of long-term use, I have experienced significant side effects, including weight gain, dry mouth, memory loss, and above all, tiredness. Therefore, after many attempts to reduce mirtazapine, I experienced the struggles of withdrawal, such as poor sleep, muscle cramps, anxiety, and nightmares. Personally, I do not recommend mirtazapine and would advise against using this medication. While it may initially seem helpful for sleep reduction, I would suggest avoiding it and discussing your concerns with your doctor. As always, consult your doctor, and if symptoms persist, please don't be afraid to speak up, regardless of the circumstances."