Coming off Mirtazapine

[MidLifeCrisis]

My depression has improved slightly, due to some recent positive changes in my life circumstances, so I want to try to stop the anti-depressant drug because it is making me sleep way too much and other side effects. Has anybody else had experience of coming off of Mirtazapine and what were the symptoms? I am worried about insomnia. I will try to halve the dose for a few weeks, then halve again.

 

[RealLostSoul]

reporting in for duty. I took it for 4 months like a year ago. I think you won't like hearing it but I had insomnia even when I put it off carefully (1/4 less then again 1/4 etc.). It was like laying in bed but simply can't fall asleep. It sucked but it was only for like a week. Then it got better and I am glad I have no substance in my blood anymore.
important to note though is that I am very underweight and sensitive to medicine. So maybe that's why..

 

[Rachel74]

My depression has improved slightly, due to some recent positive changes in my life circumstances, so I want to try to stop the anti-depressant drug because it is making me sleep way too much and other side effects. Has anybody else had experience of coming off of Mirtazapine and what were the symptoms? I am worried about insomnia. I will try to halve the dose for a few weeks, then halve again.

Only do it under the supervision of your Dr please.
We are not medical professionals on here and can only give you an idea what will happen.

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

UPDATE: I will give an update on my progress, because it may be helpful to someone. I reduced the dose by 50% (from 30mg to 15mg) and it has not had much effect on my sleep nor on my mood. So I will stay at this level for a while and then reduce further.

 

[Rachel74]

My depression has improved slightly, due to some recent positive changes in my life circumstances, so I want to try to stop the anti-depressant drug because it is making me sleep way too much and other side effects. Has anybody else had experience of coming off of Mirtazapine and what were the symptoms? I am worried about insomnia. I will try to halve the dose for a few weeks, then halve again.

Don't come off it just yet, wait a while to see if the improvement is down to this drug or a change in circumstances.

 

[Bluefish]

Talk to your doctor so you know how to taper off from it properly and avoid having bad withdrawal symptoms. Im glad to hear youre doing better, all the best to you :)

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

UPDATE: I have now come off of mirtazapine, I did it by halving and then quartering the dose (using a pill cutter) and then taking it only if I felt I couldn't fall asleep easily. Yes, there was some insomnia a few nights, but it did not last long. I will be keeping small doses on hand to use as a sleeping pill as and when needed, but I feel that I am now free of that drug. And I am no longer suicidal.

The only problem is (as I said in another post) I think the mirtazapine has affected my eyesight.

 

[TNDNBTG]

What was the reason you got off it? I'm on 30mg a day with 150mg of effexor. They call it "California Rocket Fuel". I haven't given up hope on the remron but the cocktail isnt doing anything for me anymore. 150mg of effexor is the most recent reduced dosage from 225.

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

What was the reason you got off it? I'm on 30mg a day with 150mg of effexor. They call it "California Rocket Fuel". I haven't given up hope on the remron but the cocktail isnt doing anything for me anymore. 150mg of effexor is the most recent reduced dosage from 225.

I decided to stop taking it because of some improvements in my personal circumstances (found a job, moving into my own house in the New Year) which mean that I am no longer feeling suicidal and the depression is starting to ease. I was on the same dose as you - 30mg a day. I hated the way it made me sleep too much and made it difficult to get up in the morning (I could easily sleep for 12 hours a night). And I was concerned about long-term effects. So I decided to take myself off the drug. I did not consult the doctor. F*** the doctors. At the moment I am feeling OK. Of course I can start taking it again if things go downhill.