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Remeron (Mirtazapine) Withdrawal Symptoms + How Long They Last

Remeron (Mirtazapine) is a tetracyclic antidepressant (TeCA) drug that works primarily by raising levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. It is generally used to treat major depressive disorder, but is also sometimes prescribed as an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), antiemetic, hypnotic, and appetite stimulant medication. Off label uses for Remeron include: social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, insomnia, and to increase appetite in those who are underweight or have eating disorders.

In regards to effectiveness as an antidepressant, a major meta-analysis study from 2009 found Remeron more effective than all SSRI’s, SNRI’s, and Bupropion (Wellbutrin). Despite the fact that its efficacy was considered superior to all other second-generation antidepressant medications, the degree to which it was superior was not statistically significant compared to Lexapro, Paxil, and Effexor. Other off-label uses for Remeron include: helping curb symptoms of drug withdrawal, treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, reducing Parkinson’s disease psychosis, and to treat anorexia in cats.

Although Remeron can work very well for pulling someone out of a deep depression, others find its side effects to be intolerable. Perhaps the most difficult side effect to cope with is the significant increase in appetite and cravings for carbohydrates (i.e. junk food). The major increase in appetite tends to result in significant antidepressant-induced weight gain among certain individuals.

Others who take this drug find it makes them feel too sleepy and/or it eventually “poops out” and stops working. If you have given this medication a shot, but no longer want to be on it, read below so that you have a general idea of what to expect during the withdrawal process.

Factors that influence Remeron withdrawal

When coming off of any antidepressant, there are going to be various factors that influence both the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. These factors include things like: the time span over which you took Remeron, your dosage, how quickly you tapered when discontinuing, as well as your individual physiology.

1. Time Span

Over how long did you take Remeron? In general, those who took it for an extended period of time may take longer to readjust to functioning without the drug. When you take an antidepressant every day for years, your body and brain become reliant on it for functioning. Those who took Remeron for shorter periods of time will likely have less severe withdrawal symptoms and shorter durations of withdrawal than long-term users.

2. Dosage (15 mg to 45 mg)

Most people start taking Remeron at a dose of 15 mg per day before going to sleep. Although there isn’t a relationship between dosage increase and effectiveness for treating major depression, some patients may benefit from increased dosages. A psychiatrist may have some people titrate up to a maximum dosage of 45 mg per day.

It is thought that individuals taking the minimum dose of 15 mg should have an easier time withdrawing than those taking higher doses (e.g. up to 45 mg). If you are on a higher dosage, you will likely need to conduct a gradual taper in order to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

3. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering

Quitting any antidepressant “cold turkey,” including Remeron is thought to yield more severe withdrawal symptoms than if you conduct a gradual taper. By tapering, you allow your body and brain to gradually adjust to changes in dosage. For long-term users, it is recommended to taper at a rate of 10% of your current dose per month. Therefore if you were at 45 mg, you would taper down to 40.5 mg to start, then after another month drop to 36.45.

When tapering you don’t have to necessarily be exact with your tapers, but if you round the dosage down, you may notice more severe withdrawal effects than you planned on. As you can see, a taper rate of 10% may take some individuals an extended period of time to successfully reach 0 mg. The whole idea is to taper slowly so that you don’t shock your nervous system by quitting cold turkey – which can result in severe discontinuation effects.

If you feel as though you can handle a quicker withdrawal rate than 10% per month, that’s your decision. Everyone will react differently to withdrawal and some people may not be as sensitive to the discontinuation effects as others.

4. Individual Physiology

Much of the withdrawal symptoms are based on individual circumstances. Since everyone is unique, each person tends to recover at a different rate and symptoms are subject to variation. One person may engage in mild exercise, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, and stay hydrated which could facilitate a quicker recovery than someone who doesn’t exercise, get proper sleep, and dwells on their withdrawal symptoms.

During the withdrawal process it is important to avoid comparing your recovery to that of other people as each person usually recovers at a different rate. Additionally it should be noted that some individuals transition to a new antidepressant and/or are taking other drugs and may not experience as much of a withdrawal as a result of other medications.

Remeron Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities

Below are a list of symptoms that have been reported during discontinuation from Remeron. Keep in mind that you may not experience all of the symptoms listed below during your withdrawal. The withdrawal process is highly individualized in regards to what symptoms you will experience, their severity, as well as how long they last before you recover.

  • Anxiety: Upon discontinuation, many people have reported major spikes in anxiety. The anxiety that you experience during withdrawal is likely linked to changes in the neurotransmission of serotonin and norepinephrine as a result of taking this drug. Many individuals report feeling anxious for an extended period of time after their last dose. Just know that the anxiety will eventually diminish as your brain reverts back to drug-free functioning.
  • Appetite decrease: As was mentioned, this is a drug that can significantly boost your appetite. When you stop taking it, your appetite will likely return to what it was prior to taking this drug. It is this natural decrease in appetite that will lead you to lose most of the weight that you gained in relatively short order.
  • Concentration problems: Many people report feeling spaced out and/or foggy thinking when initially quitting this medication. You may have trouble focusing on work-related tasks and/or schoolwork when coming off of this medication. As time passes, your concentration should come full circle and return to normal.
  • Confusion: Some individuals become confused as to what they are experiencing during withdrawal. This confusion is generally a result of poor combination and cognitive function. The confusion and fog should eventually pass, but it may take some time.
  • Crying spells: It is common to feel increasing depression when you withdraw from this medication. The increases in depression and other mood swings can lead to crying spells. During these spells many people feel completely hopeless about their situation. The reality is that they will eventually recover and these will subside.
  • Depersonalization: This symptom involves feeling unlike your normal self, almost as if you have become a zombie and/or are panicking because you think you’ll never feel how you did prior to taking this drug. It can be very uncomfortable to feel depersonalized, but it’s generally a result of chemical changes that will change over time.
  • Depression: Most people experience increases in depression when they withdraw from an antidepressant. In fact, the depression a person experiences in withdrawal is sometimes more severe than it was prior to their first dose of Remeron. This is due to the fact that when you withdraw from an antidepressant, a new chemical imbalance is created because your brain is now trying to function soberly after being fed a drug for weeks, months, or years. This new imbalance should correct itself, but it will require some time.
  • Diarrhea: It is possible to experience diarrhea as a symptom when coming off of this drug. In order to minimize this particular symptom, a slow taper is recommended. Additionally consider taking some over-the-counter Imodium if it gets out of control.
  • Dizziness: This is one of the most common symptoms that people experience during withdrawals. You may feel varying degrees of dizziness for weeks, or in some cases, months on end. The dizziness tends to be more extreme during the first few weeks of withdrawal. It can manifest as vertigo too in more extreme cases.
  • Fatigue: It is common to feel lethargic and excessive tiredness when coming off of an antidepressant. The fatigue is usually due to the brain still not having fully rebounded back to normal after your last dose. The fatigue can last for quite some time, but your energy should return over time.
  • Flu-like symptoms: Reports of flu-like symptoms and/or allergies upon discontinuation are fairly common. These symptoms tend to be intensified with “cold turkey” withdrawals and can be minimized if withdrawal is conducted gradually.
  • Headaches: Having headaches is very common when a person first quits this medication. These headaches may last weeks, but affect some individuals for months after their last dose. Although these can be a nuisance, they usually subside once a person’s level of arousal and anxiety drops.
  • Heart palpitations: Do you have sensations that your heart is pounding extra loudly or racing? These sensations are known as palpitations and are somewhat common during withdrawal. These can exacerbate anxiety and vice-versa so if you experience them, it is better to accept them as merely being a symptom rather than something to panic about.
  • Hypomania: This is considered a lower-grade form of mania (i.e. mood elevation) exhibited by individuals with Type-2 Bipolar disorder. There have been cases of hypomania reported during withdrawals from Remeron.
  • Insomnia: After quitting this drug, a lot of people struggle with falling asleep at night. A thing many people have found helpful is to take melatonin prior to bedtime. Additionally consider engaging in some sort of relaxation exercise such as deep breathing or meditation to mitigate insomnia.
  • Irritability: When a person goes through withdrawal, they become highly sensitive and are prone to mood swings. A very common mood for a person to experience is that of irritability or the feeling that everything is a nuisance or bother. The person doesn’t want to feel this way, but due to their brain activity and neurotransmitter levels during withdrawal, it is an inevitable experience.
  • Itching: One of the most common symptoms associated with Remeron withdrawal is that of itchiness. Many people report feeling very itchy and cannot contain the sensations to scratch their skin. This itchiness may be uncomfortable and persist for some time, but it will eventually go away as your nervous system adapts.
  • Mania: During withdrawal from Remeron, individuals with bipolar disorder have been reported to experiencing a manic switch. In other words, if you have bipolar disorder, the withdrawal could make you transition to a state of mania. Although this will not occur in everyone with bipolar disorder, it is something to monitor during withdrawal.
  • Mood swings: It is very common to experience changes in mood during withdrawal. Some days you may feel really depressed and angry, others you may feel hopeful and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Many people go through ups, downs, and changes in mood during the withdrawal process.
  • Nausea: In some cases the nausea from withdrawal can become severe. If it becomes severe, the nausea can actually lead a person to vomit. To prevent severe nausea, make sure you follow a gradual tapering protocol. Some nausea upon discontinuation may be inevitable, but you will minimize it by slowly weaning.
  • Panic attacks: During withdrawal from a potent drug that affects serotonin levels, it is possible to experience panic attacks. When you discontinue this medication, the levels of serotonin in your brain may be lower than average. This may lead you to feel increasingly anxious and make you prone to panic attacks. If you find yourself panicking, just know that these attacks will eventually go away as your neurotransmitters adjust.
  • Racing thoughts: You may notice that your thoughts race when you initially come off of this medication. These racing thoughts are hypothesized to be what could potentially lead to mania or hypomania among susceptible individuals. In any regard, the racing thoughts can also be linked to anxiety, drops in serotonin, and heightened nervous system activity during withdrawal.
  • Sleep changes: For many individuals, Remeron tends to improve their sleep. When coming off of the drug, you may notice that the quality of your sleep is reduced. You may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting an adequate amount of sleep each night. Your sleep patterns may fluctuate during withdrawal, but they will eventually stabilize.
  • Suicidal thoughts: Many people who take this drug for depression may experience a resurgence of depression and suicidal thinking when they quit taking it. In some cases, the suicidal thoughts a person experiences during discontinuation could be significantly worse than prior to taking the drug. When withdrawing, your neurotransmission will often be imbalanced as a result of the drug you had been taking and discontinued. This imbalance is what can make people feel suicidal until their brain readjusts to normal functioning.
  • Sweats: A very common withdrawal symptom from antidepressant medications is that of sweating. You may wake up during the middle of the night soaked in heavy night sweats and/or notice that you are sweating intensely throughout the day. This is one way your nervous system is readjusting itself and is part of the detoxification process.
  • Tiredness: Although many people report heightened anxiety and difficulty sleeping when they withdraw from Remeron, others report feeling very tired. Additionally even individuals who have difficulty sleeping may notice lower than average energy levels throughout the day.
  • Tremors: In various cases, people tend to notice that they are having “shakes” or tremors. This is a more common symptom in the acute stages of withdrawal. You will stop shaking once your body readjusts without the drug.
  • Vomiting: Some individuals actually get pretty sick when they quit taking Remeron. If you quit cold turkey, your chances of vomiting increase because you have suddenly quit from a dose that your nervous system was used to getting. In order to decrease your chances of experiencing this symptom, take the time to gradually withdraw.
  • Weight loss: Since most people tend to have increases in appetite and/or cravings for food when they are on this drug, they tend to gain weight. When the drug is stopped, most people have no difficulties losing the weight that they put on while taking the drug.

Remeron Withdrawal Duration: How long does it last?

Most people have reported withdrawal symptoms lasting a few weeks before the majority cleared up. However this doesn’t mean that everyone is going to feel back to their normal selves within one month of their last dose. How quickly you recover from withdrawal symptoms and adjust back to normal functioning will likely be influenced by individual circumstances including: your sensitivity to withdrawals, how quickly you tapered, and whether you are taking other drugs.

As a general rule of thumb that I recommend is to wait three full months (90 days) to reevaluate symptoms. Three months is a lengthy period of time and will give your body and brain some time to transition back to sober functioning. It may take some time before your nervous system and neurotransmitter levels revert back to how they were prior to your first dose of Remeron. Keep in mind that some people have reported experiencing symptoms over 6 months after their last pill – these are obviously the more extreme cases, but show how debilitating the withdrawals can be for some people.

After the acute symptoms have passed during the first couple weeks of withdrawal, take the time to make sure that you are engaging in healthy activities as this may help repair your nervous system. Getting some light exercise, eating healthy foods, staying productive, socializing, resting, and learning some relaxation techniques can go a long way towards speeding up recovery. What you are experiencing may be very uncomfortable and may push your mental limits, but maintain faith that you will eventually recover and you eventually will.

If you have successfully withdrawn from Remeron and/or are going through withdrawals, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below. Sharing your experience may really help another person who is dealing with the same thing.

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604 thoughts on “Remeron (Mirtazapine) Withdrawal Symptoms + How Long They Last”

  1. Great comments! I’m going to start tapering off 15mg usage since February. While on this medication I have felt awful, gained weight and at my wits end with feeling so lousy everyday. I’m going to try 7.5 for a week then half the next week hoping I’m done in 4 weeks. I appreciate all the input – I feel like I now know what to expect. Shevila

    Reply
  2. I’ve been on mirtazapine a bit over 7 months. I started on 15 mg and gradually went up to 45mg and after 2 months on 45mg decided to go down to 30mg and shortly after that went down to 15mg, as the higher dosages made gave me lots of brain fog. Throughout being on mirtazapine, my memory has gotten gradually worse and therefore I decided I would try to come off it completely.

    So I talked to my psychiatrist and we agreed that I would go down to 7.5 mg to before going off the medication. But I got severe discontinuation effects and ended up on 15mg again. The relief of these effects by going back to 15mg made me think that that was probably best for me.

    But my memory had gotten significantly worse since then so now I’m ready to give it another go, however, I have recently changed psychiatrists and when I made an appointment with her, she told me that the only time she has availability is in over a month.

    Does anyone have any experience going off medication without the help of a doctor? I’m studying to become a nurse at the moment and have exams in a few months and don’t feel I can wait that long to go off the medication since I also have to spend a lot of time in hospitals working.

    I have so much brain fog at the moment that it’s making it very difficult to be present mentally when working with patients.

    Reply
    • Hi Kathrine, I am now 3months off mirtazapine. I did it and then told my Dr. about it. The advice I would give you is to wean off very slowly or the discontinuation symptoms will be difficult to tolerate.

      I think the recommended rate is about 10% of your original dose per month or as symptoms allow. Can be a long process but well worth it. I weaned over a period of 4 months… from 30 mg to 1.87 mg before jumping off.

      Even that was a bit too fast. I continue to have some discontinuation symptoms but they are easing… I am a retired nurse. I wish you luck with your studies and with stopping this med.

      Reply
        • Hi Mike, I was taking remeron 30 mg for sleep. I had work related stress which led to anxiety which led to insomnia. Stayed with it till I retired because that was the easiest path.

          I weaned without physician support so I had to work with what was prescribed as the pharmacist could only fill the prescription as ordered… 30 mg tabs or 15 mg tabs x 2.

          My decrease schedule was: 30 mg, 22.5mg, 15.mg, 11.25 mg, 7.5mg, 3.75mg and 1.87 mg. Each over 3-4 weeks. I had no withdrawal symptoms during the process but 7 days after the last dose I developed: headache vertigo and dizziness. This was debilitating for about 2 months, now I get the symptoms if I do too much but I manage them.

          Recently I have early morning waking, 4 o’clock is my usual. I hope this is transient, I am working with a naturopath at present, so I hope this too shall pass. That’s my story so far, I wish you well. Good luck on your journey!!!

          Reply
    • I posted the other day that I was going to taper off however I just stopped taking it. I was a little dizzy yesterday and haven’t slept well the last 2 nights but I’m determined to get this out of my system. I want to feel good again.

      Reply
  3. I was on 45mg of Mirtazapine per day for about a year due to stress and anxiety caused by some lingering and unresolved medical issues. I have been off it now for a year as well weaning myself off at a 25% reduction per week. Prior to being on Mirtazapine, I did suffer from restless leg and twitching at night.

    Lately, I have been noticing signs of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. I have fallen out of bed twice within the last few months and the vivid dreams are somewhat intense but luckily not every night. I found the following on WebMd:

    “In 45% of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder cases, the cause is associated with alcohol or sedative-hypnotic withdrawal, tricyclic antidepressant (such as imipramine), or serotonin reuptake inhibitor use (such as fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine) or other types of antidepressants (mirtazapine).”

    Anybody else experiencing anything like this? Good luck to all dealing with the side effects and withdrawal.

    Reply
  4. I originally started mirtazapine at 15 mg approx. 4 months ago to assist with sleep and anxiety during a major depressive episode. It was making me quite sleepy during the day so I halved my tablet 2 months ago.

    My weight gain has been terrible (and didn’t abate with the lower dose) but luckily I’ve been able to keep it stable with exercise and clean eating. However I’m now considering discontinuing altogether as am so fed up with my weight.

    This article and others’ comments have been very helpful thank you.

    Reply
  5. This has been the worst drug I ever took in my entire life! Just destroyed my health and entire life! Started having horrid side effects from it later… neuropathy, akathisia, agitation, depression, respiratory issues, body aches and pains, allergic reactions to foods and things in the air but the withdrawals from this drug is so hideous inhumane suffering!!

    Horrid panic attacks, vertigo, sweating, not able to eat, vomiting feelings, passing out feelings, worse akathisia, feelings of going insane, fogged head, adrenaline surges, burning skin and brain, zaps, horrid headaches, rashes, air hunger, nightmares, shaking, visual disturbances, aching muscles, joints, moods all over.

    This drug only made me sick and even sicker getting off it. This drug should be illegal! I’ve seen people suffer years from this horrid drug after off it. I’m terrified how to survive this brutality. My stupid doctor that put me on this vile drug said it was not hard to get off!

    I’m sorry but any drug that hits 32 receptors in your brain is going to cause serious hell on it and getting off. To do no harm is not this drug! God help whoever has been on this evil crap. No one should suffer like this. F*** big pharma and their poisonous drugs destroying lives every day.

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  6. I have so appreciated all the comments people have made on withdrawing from Mirtazapine. I have been on it for 15 months at 22.5mg and finally had had enough as it was giving me some severe side effects. I tapered down to 11mg for 1 month and then totally none.

    I am now on day 14 and have the itchy skin, depersonalization they talk about, and fogginess, etc. But at least I do not feel alone in my recovery and can identify with so much of what has been written. What a courageous lot of people we are and thank you so much all of you for being so honest and sharing.

    Reply
  7. I’m 3 weeks today free of mirtazapine. I was put on it 2 years ago after my brother died suddenly for depression and insomnia. I’m a bit angry about the side effects from this medicine. No one told me about the insane weight gain I could put on – in total 40lbs. Was never overweight in my life.

    A couple of months ago I started getting stomach pain. After finally getting an ultrasound discovered I had non-alcoholic fatty liver from the amount of weight I’d put on so fast. So I decided that was it for me. Slowly cut down from 45 mg to 30 then 15 then nothing last 3 weeks.

    I’ve lost 14lbs so far – no apatite. Did have itchy skin, night sweats, body aches in legs and arms. It’s been tough but starting to feel much better. Hang in there. It’s a hard withdrawal but worth it.

    Reply
    • Hi Laura. I was taking mirtazapine for 1 year. I was very underweight when I started and had no idea about the weight gain it would cause. I also put on about 40lbs and was taking 15mg daily of mirtazapine, and had never been overweight in my life.

      I tapered down to 7.5mg for a month and now I’ve been off it completely for about a week. I have extreme nausea to the point where I can really get out of bed, no sleep and zero appetite. Also all the depressing thoughts thinking I’ll go back to how I was before I started them.

      Thanks for sharing your story hopefully I can push through this next month or so! Pat

      Reply
      • Hey Patrick. I’m the same – 6 days off it now. The first few days I was up & down emotional, dizzy, spaced out & not much appetite but today had hit me like a truck with extreme nausea & vomiting.

        My psychiatrist stopped me suddenly from 15mg to nothing because I’m going remote for work in 2 weeks so we don’t have long to see how I go with nothing (my request) before she has to decide if I need new medication before my work trip. I hope you start to feel better soon!

        Reply
  8. Update: After doing the .05 mg every 4 days I decided the WD symptoms were too overwhelming (anxiety spiked, bad insomnia) so I went back to 1 mg daily. Hopefully I can stabilize for a while and then drop again. Maybe I was making too large of reductions (.9 mg to .8 to .7, etc.)? Do any of you have experience with this kind of tapering? Thanks to all on this post.

    Reply
    • I tapered super slowly but still had side bad symptoms after stopping completely. It took about 4 tries over a few years until I just decided to soldier through the WD. I found that you basically have to relearn how to deal with anxiety and sleep without Mirtazapine. Try mindfulness and Melatonin to help.

      Reply
  9. I was only taking 15mg a night of Mirtazapine. I had to stop taking it a week ago, after only 1 month as It was making me have very vivid dreams and regularly wet the bed. My G.P said I did not need to taper off the dose as it was a low dose and I had not been on it for very long.

    I have had quite horrible night sweats, aches and trouble sleeping, along with generally feeling of lousiness. If this is what it is like coming off a low dose that I have not been on for long, I feel for the people who are withdrawing off long-term use at 3 times the dose.

    I do not think that Mirtazapine is worth taking as the side effects seem to outweigh the benefits. It seems that most people have to come off due to side effects and then the withdrawal is awful.

    Reply
  10. Took 15mg for 6 months and have spent the last 6 months slowly coming off it by reducing it by a pill every 4 weeks. Was going to go down to 1 pill every 5 days then a week but forgot to take it and now have been off for about 3 weeks. A little bit of nausea and little bit irritable, but nothing too bad.

    Two main symptoms though – itchy skin and anxiety (chest pain). Anxiety reducing now and chest pain almost gone. Itchy skin comes and goes though. Scalp itchy, feet and hands mostly. Definitely mind over matter. Weight loss? I wish!

    I started put on so much weight when I first took it but exercised throughout to keep some normalcy if I could. Now I’m off… I’d love to lose the weight. I seem to be getting heavier! But look slimmer… must be muscle then?!

    Sense of humor returned and can feel happiness again. So it’s good to be off… annoyed I was put on this one I must say!

    Reply
    • Hi Sara and Congrats on coming off. What did you get on it for? Did it help? I and on it now 3 weeks (7.5mgs) and I have noticed a big improvement in my sleep and anxiety which is what I was put on it for.

      Before I go too much longer on it, I was trying to see how hard it is to come off. That’s why I visit this site.

      Reply
      • Hi Mike. Terrible shocking event which caused me to have sleepless nights, anxiety and suicidal feelings. Yes immediately I was able to sleep better. I did feel very numb though at first and so did a gradual taper up to 15.

        Stayed on that for 6 months and then when I just felt better and felt I had the strength – I decided to reduce really really slowly. I had two bouts of counseling and therapy as well. So I mentally challenged myself to recover. Which I have.

        I really missed laughing. I just felt ok but no highs and no lows. I did love not being anxious though. Realize I’ve been anxious for a long time. So now it’s up to me to keep it in check. I practiced mindfulness and meditation every day for months too!

        This WAS and is a life changer for me. I hope this helps. Everyone is different. You know you well. Best wishes, Sara

        Reply
  11. Hi All. Great insight in these comments. I certainly wish EVERYONE on here would come back and keep their story going. There are so many open ended stories that I would love to know how they played out for that person and for my own encouragement.

    My story is that I started Lexapro (5mgs) in Mid-May 2018 and to make a long story short, it did very little for my general anxiety (GAD) after 45 days. My start up was bad so I gave it some time but decided to go off rather than up.

    As I worked down to 2mg’s, it got worse with increased anxiety and increased insomnia (was it Lex withdrawal or just bad reaction to Lex?). Considering I never got a lot of anxiety relief from the Lex – I’d say bad reaction.

    Since my GAD symptoms were gloom and doom thoughts, insomnia and night-time anxiety, my psychiatrist recommended I stop the ~2mgs Lex and that I switch to Remeron (Mirt) 15mgs. Because I had a bad start up with Lex, I decided to start with 7.5mgs and so far after 15 days, its been great.

    My bad reaction symptoms to the Lex (insomnia, frequent urination, losing 8lbs, and daytime anxiety, etc) went away immediately and have stayed away. I have a bit of dizziness (maybe vertigo) which started right at the switch so I’m not sure if its Lex withdrawal or REM start up.

    I had also got Tinnitus after a few days of Lex and the REM has seemed to change that a bit and unfortunately it is still there but I’m dealing with it. Basically, the REM has given my most of my life back.

    I’m scared to stay on any meds and reading this really makes me want to get off of it. Its a tough call as in mid-May, my anxiety/insomnia symptoms had made me depressed as well from lack of sleep and then the Lex blew up on me and the last ~4 months have been a rollercoaster until the last 2 weeks on REM.

    Any insight? Best of luck to you all and hang in there…Pray!

    Reply
    • Hi Mike, If they’re helping you, stay on them. I was on Mirt for 10 years, and never had any bother with it. I only came off as I was then taking 2 antidepressants, so figure it was best to just take the one.

      My sleeping pattern is still super crazy (although not as bad as it was), but I’ve just been told my vitamin D is low, so that might actually be a cause of it. I think if I had a regular job I’d have gotten my sleep under control by now, but I don’t so I’m allowing myself to sleep whenever. Good luck :)

      Reply
  12. I was on Mirtazapine 30 mg for 18 months, then started a tapering program. After a few weeks WD symptoms bad so started again with 15 mg. After 9 months doc suggested that I start tapering off the drug again, so started a slow tapering program of 10% dosage reductions per month.

    Now down to .05 mg every 4th day, insomnia is back fairly strong. I plan to keep to program and tough it out, as I keep reading from others that it eventually gets better.

    Reply
  13. I am in my second week of coming off this drug. I have found the withdrawal symptoms hideous but am determined to stay off the drug. My symptoms: nausea, weakness, exhaustion, tingling, buzzing, brain zaps, loss of appetite, anxiety. This site has helped me to not feel alone. Good luck everyone.

    Reply
  14. I was on 30 mg for about 4 months. Had to come off fairly quickly because it was weakening my thigh and biceps muscles rapidly. I have a type of muscle dystrophy FSHD and I feel this drug caused massive muscle loss on already vulnerable muscles. Also quality of sleep was poor and getting to me.

    I tapered off in about 2-3 weeks. Felt really depressed in first week, but the main problem I have is maintenance insomnia still after 1 month. Always wake after about 4 hrs sleep. This is driving me crazy. Can anyone reassure me that they had similar insomnia and it got better?

    I hope this drug has not done permanent damage to my sleep as it looks like it has done to my legs. My job may be lost if I can’t get these two things sorted before my sick leave runs out. This drug was really bad for me.

    Reply
  15. Hi all. Hang in there! Next week will make two full months off mirtazapine. As some have mentioned, I too had numbness in my thighs. I’m just now getting sensation back there. Last week I had more nausea than normal but it is much better this week.

    I’m also doing better at feeling better all day long. I tapered from about 12 mg for a couple weeks then went completely off from 7.5 mg. You will feel bad, achey, and even a bit depersonalized the first few weeks. It’s similar to feeling like you only got a couple hours of sleep from an all nighter studying or at a lock in.

    I have taken up some juicing (carrots and apples) and always everyday take high quality magnesium, krill oil, tryptophan, and tyrosine. Magnesium deficits are well known to be associated with depression. I exercise daily too.

    Speed-walking or running a few miles daily is very helpful. The running also makes me more relaxed and sleep better. You can make it! 2 months here and feeling pretty good. I’ve also shed over 14 of 20 lbs I gained while taking this.

    Reply
  16. Hi have been taking this drug for 5 years up to a dose of 95mg at my peak. I decided last Sunday after getting myself down to 65mg to stop taking it. It has been an extremely hard 10 days and I don’t see the symptoms letting up any time soon.

    I finally caved 3 days ago and went to my doctor and told him what I had done… needless to say he wasn’t happy but there was nothing he could say or do to convince me to take even one more pill so at least now he is supporting my withdrawal efforts and helping me manage the pain.

    To all of those that have succeeded in doing this, I commend you. And to those about to start the journey – hold fast! It is a rough ride as much as my body is fighting me every single day. I still show up to work and put on the face that I need everyone to see. This will be my last fight… I just have to win.

    Reply
  17. I started reducing from 30mg in January. Going from 30 to 15. It certainly increased my anxiety, so I stayed on 15mg until April when I went down to 7.5mg and then finally to 3.75mg before I completely stopped in June. I took my time, preferring to wait to be anxiety symptom free before reducing.

    However I’m still getting issues now, 2 months on. My god the itching is driving me up the wall, I’ve either suddenly developed allergies or its the withdrawal. It’s driving me potty. I’m having to take antihistamines to try and deal with it. The other huge problem is sleep.

    I’m now staying awake late into the night, then waking after around 2 hours sleep. I’ll fall asleep again to wake 2 hours later. I’m exhausted. This has been going on since I completely stopped taking the drug. In good news, there’s been no decline in anxiety or depression and I’m finally losing weight without really trying.

    When I do try it’s flying off. I no longer get greedy over food, which is amazing. I hated that side effect.

    Reply
    • Thought I’d post an update. The itching is still around, but I’ll have a few days with none and then something will set me off for a bit. Haven’t had to take any antihistamines though. The itching was worst on my hands at first, but now it’s my scalp that’s the issue.

      My sleep is still pretty bad, but I think it may be self inflicted now as I got out of the habit of a regular bedtime and allowed myself naps, so I’m now going to have to train myself to sleep at the right times again. Today’s sleeping was 3am to 6am, 8am to 11:40am, 4:30pm to 6:20pm.

      I’ve been diagnosed with low vitamin D, so that may be the cause of the day time sleep. Regardless, don’t think it’s the meds now just think it’s a pattern I have to break. Weight is still going down little by little. Anxiety and depression still not making an appearance. Overall think it’s ok.

      Reply
  18. 30mg for years, down to 15mg for 3 months, then totally stopped. 2 weeks in: Extremely itchy hands, legs. Blotches hive type rash. Anxiety kicking in, no energy. So tempting to go back on 15mg, but holding off.

    Reply
    • The above article is so helpful. I have only been on 15mgs for a couple of years, but most of that time has been spent trying to come of it, and have failed. The temptation to recommence is huge, but this time I hope I can persevere, the weight increase is holding me back. We can do it!!! Hang in there.

      Reply
      • Marylin, I just got off of it with NO withdrawals except for bad dizziness. Bite that 15 in half and take it that way for two weeks. If you’re doing ok, then bite THAT half in half (I know it’s tricky!) for two weeks.

        Take that last nub for two weeks, then go to every other night for two weeks, three if you like, then jump! As I said except for some really intense vertigo/dizziness every few days for a few hours I had NO withdrawal symptoms. I’m done. Next up, Cymbalta.

        Reply
  19. Hi I’ve been off for 2 weeks. Feeling quite odd in the evenings- crying, feeling sad and hopeless. Headaches, aching legs, arms… bit of a mess really, but fed up with numbness in my thighs and putting on half a stone whilst on Mirtazapine.

    Am ok during the day, but come 5 PM I start feeling a bit bleak. Anyone else feeling like this? I am sure it will pass but it’s hard work.

    Reply
    • Hang in there. It took me about 4 months to start feeling fairly normal. I soldiered through the anxiety. It’s almost a relearning of how to deal with each incident that may cause the anxiety. Look into Mindfulness training, I don’t think I’d be successful getting off if it wasn’t for that. Melatonin at night was a life saver too.

      Reply
  20. I’ve been on mirtazapine for almost two years. Started at 15 up to 45. But brought it back down to 30 about 5 months ago. Then over the last 6 weeks I’ve had 15. I’ve had none now for 2 days. Wish me luck. ? I did however try and go cold turkey from 30 MG 8 weeks ago and I lasted two weeks.

    I felt great for the first week, then massively went downhill the second. I don’t have depression, but I have severe anxiety and panic disorder. The reason I’ve stopped the meds is because they don’t work for me at all – only with sleep at night sometimes. So what’s the point in taking something that doesn’t work?

    The two weeks I was cold turkey I did lose over a stone though, nearly 2. Water was literally pouring off my body. But this time I’ve not started to sweat yet. So hoping because I cut down gradually first it won’t be so severe. ?

    I have one child at the hospital in the morning and another at the dentist. Already stressing about it as they are my main triggers. Waiting rooms. And seeing poorly people tips me over ? especially when I’ve my children with me. ?

    Reply
  21. I have stopped Mirtazapine around month ago and I have problems with sleeping (never had them before even before starting meds), mood swings, bad anxiety at times and nausea. I hope it will all pass soon, as at the moment, it is the 5th day in a row I haven’t been sleeping properly or almost at all.

    Reply
    • I am almost 3 months. I had all of your symptoms until more than 2 months. But now at least I have weeks at a time of serenity. Try melatonin at night and definitely try Mindfulness (see YouTube – Mindful Movement), I think it saved me. I’m thinking about AA meetings, I think drug withdrawal is similar… Good luck!

      Reply
  22. Odd how symptoms come and go. Almost a full month since my last dose and still have some nausea and dizziness, especially in the morning. My mom passed also a little over a month ago, that may explain part of it. Hope everyone else is hanging in there.

    Reply
  23. I was on Remeron 30 mg then 45 mg then back to 30 mg again from 2004 until last week. 18 years. After 2 weeks of detoxing off fentanyl 100 mg patch, percocet, valium and temazepam, Remeron wasn’t helping me sleep or helping me eat anymore. I took my last whole pill and it hit bottom of left lung lining like a ball of fire and I got pleurisy.

    So, I decided on a fast detox. Mind over matter. I cut pill in half, and took 1/2 pill, 15 mg every other day for three days. Then I quartered pill into 7 – 1/2 mg and took one every other day for three days. Then I stopped. It is not for the faint of heart.

    I did not itch or have sinus problems, but I am sleep deprived and after 2 weeks of pleurisy, I got prednisone from ER because pain was so bad I couldn’t eat or breathe and I was down to 113 pounds (my normal weight 125 – 130 at 5’9″). I was low in potassium too.

    After a dose of potassium and a dose of prednisone at hospital and 1 more dose of prednisone at home, pleurisy symptoms abated completely. I am eating healthy to gain back weight. Strong will. You gotta want it. My whole body feels like a raw frazzled nerve flailing in the air hitting everything at times.

    I am irritable and stressed if I come into contact with those liking conflicting situations and drama. Stay away from drama. If I hadn’t gotten pleurisy, I would have done a slower taper. My best wishes to all of you. This drug is poison.

    Try taking full dose every other night instead of every night. This drug has long shelf life so there will be no w/d symptoms taking every other night. Start here and listen to your body as you taper down. Meditate. Listen to healing music. Remember, mind rules body!! Much love and godspeed recovery for you all.

    Reply
    • Deeba I am just over two weeks of completely being off Avanza 15. I was on 30mg for two years and decided it’s enough so my doctor dropped my dosage from 30 to 15. I was then taking 15mg for two months, then was taking it every second day for two weeks, and then went completely off them!

      I feel so sick can’t eat, can’t focus, my skin is very itchy, and I also have no energy. My insomnia is uncontrollable. My anxiety has basically kicked in again. I have 4 children and can’t afford to be in the state I am in after getting off the Avanza. Not sure on whether to go back to 15mg and then reduce the tablet the way you did. HELP. ?

      Reply
      • Been on 30mg for many years. Reduced to 15mg then 7.5 then 3.75 then 0 over 4 months. Been off for 2 weeks now. Terrible withdrawal symptoms. Insomnia – go to sleep at 11pm and wake at 2 or 3am, often can’t go back to sleep. Itching – particularly hands, feet and scalp. Hay fever – itchy eyes and nose. Hot flushes and sweats. Body aches – back, shoulders, neck, abdomen. Heartburn – bloating and burping particularly in bed, found not eating dinner helps this. Short term memory – go to fridge, open it and forget what I wanted. Trembling. I am determined to beat this and not go back on Mirt. Just hoping my symptoms will resolve soon.

        Reply
        • Hey. That sounds very much like me. I struggled with sleep for weeks and eventually I was given a short prescription of sleeping pills to get my sleeping routine back in order. It took a week on them to be able to sleep through the night again.

          In regards to the itchiness. Use antihistamines. I was on them for a good month or so. I would take 1 every other day and then leave it until I started getting allergies before taking another. The allergies did wear off eventually.

          It does get better. I hope this helps.

          Reply
        • I hope this has all subsided for you. How long did your withdrawal symptoms last? My reduction schedule was very similar to yours.

          I’m a month now without the mirt. I also have terrible heartburn, vertigo, sleeping 4 hours a night, nausea. I’m scared that this will last months or permanent damage. I’m determined not to go back on… I don’t even know how this prescription is allowed!

          Reply

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