- Written By: K.C. Bruning
- Edited By: John Allen
- Last Modified Date: 06 February 2012
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Withdrawal from the antidepressant medication mirtazapine can cause a wide array of effects, from mild to severe. They include both physical illnesses, such as diarrhea and nausea, and emotional problems, including anxiety and depression. The number and intensity of mirtazapine withdrawal symptoms is part of the reason why the drug is usually only prescribed when other medications have failed to have a beneficial effect on a patient. The most effective way to minimize the chance and severity of withdrawal symptoms is to gradually phase out the use of mirtazapine.
Some of the emotional disturbances associated with mirtazapine withdrawal include anxiety, aggression, crying spells, and irritability. Patients may also experience intense internal restlessness, disturbing thoughts, and deepening depression. Hostility, paranoia, panic attacks, and the tendency to over-react to situations have also been reported as withdrawal symptoms.
There are also several unusual physical sensations and illusions that can arise as a result of mirtazapine withdrawal. Patients can find themselves having repetitive thoughts, thinking constantly of the same songs, or experiencing other uncharacteristic disturbances of the senses. Some individuals may have a tingling sensation, or feel like they are receiving an electrical shock; when the shock is felt in the head, it is called a brain zap. Vivid dreams and hallucinations are also possible.
The body can also become physically impaired due to mirtazapine withdrawal. Patients may have balance issues, vertigo, and dizziness. Some individuals experience changes in the ability to see or speak. It is also possible to have tremors or suffer from lack of coordination as a result of discontinuing use of the drug.
Common physical discomforts that can arise as a result of mirtazapine withdrawal include flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion. Patients can also experience symptoms similar to the flu. Stomach cramps, nausea, and migraine headaches are also possible.
Mirtazapine is usually prescribed to treat depression. The drug works by encouraging brain activity that can improve and help to maintain a healthy mental balance. It comes as either a regular or disintegrating tablet. Mirtazapine is taken once a day, usually at bedtime. The medication can take many weeks to become completely effective.
There are some conditions which may make taking mirtazapine is too risky or at least requires an adjusted dosage or additional patient observation by a medical professional. Previous experiences with low blood pressure, liver or heart disease, high cholesterol, or heart attack should be reported to the prescribing doctor. Women who are nursing, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant are usually advised not to take the drug.
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Discuss this Article
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Azuza
Post 6 |
Considering this information, I think if you're taking mirtazapine and you want to stop, you probably need to plan ahead. It sounds like it would be very difficult to function while dealing with all these mirtazapine effects. I don't think I could work while dealing with depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms!
And I definitely think anyone considering going off of this medication should consult a doctor! I feel like a doctor could help you decide how to go about stopping this medicine and maybe give you something to help with the symptoms. |
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SZapper
Post 5 |
@JessicaLynn - It is disturbing, but don't forget that depression is a debilitating illness. For many people, the possible risk of withdrawal is outweighed by how much depression affects their life.
I've struggled with depression before, and it makes it difficult to do, well, anything. Even to get out of bed. I'm better now, and at the time I decided against medication. However, if I ever sink into a deep depression again, I think I will just take the medicine. Even with the side effects, mirtazapine is probably better than dealing with depression. |
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JessicaLynn
Post 4 |
Am I the only person that thinks this is disturbing? I don't understand how it's safe to take an antidepressant that will make you depressed and anxious if you stop taking it!
I don't know how the side effects of other antidepressants compare to mirtazapine side effects, but I know a lot of other antidepressants cause withdrawal symptoms. In fact, I had a friend who missed about a week of work because of antidepressant withdrawal.
I think I would be scared to even take an antidepressant! Or if I started, I wouldn't want to stop and deal with the crazy side effects! |
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turquoise
Post 3 |
@ysmina-- I quit mirtazapine recently as well and I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms at all. And I was on it for a year and a half.
From my experience with other antidepressants though, it does sound like you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I think what happens is that people adapt to mirtazapine and other antidepressants very differently. That's why some people have a hard time when quitting them and others don't.
What you can do is try to treat the symptoms you are having. For example, if you're having flu-like symptoms, a pain-reliever might be helpful. For depression symptoms, you can talk to your doctor and see if you can temporarily go on a light antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication to easy the antidepressant withdrawal effects. Some herbal/natural antidepressants might be help as well. |
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ysmina
Post 2 |
Do you think that mirtazapine withdrawal symptoms get worse the longer you are on it?
I was on mirtazapine for only two months but I'm having withdrawal symptoms regardless. And I have been decreasing the dose slowly. I was on 45mg and I've been decreasing the dose by 15mg per week. But the withdrawal symptoms are getting worse and worse.
I have terrible insomnia, anxiety and depression symptoms and suicidal thoughts. I was not expecting this at all since I was only on the drug for two months!
I always thought that withdrawal symptoms get worse when it's used for longer periods of time. But from what I understand, the intensity of my symptoms is not too different than people who have been on the drug for years. I'm wondering if I'm confusing actual depression symptoms with withdrawal symptoms. But I don't think so because I didn't have them while I was on mirtazapine.
Has anyone else been in this situation while quitting mirtazapine antidepressant? |
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fify
Post 1 |
I took mirtazapine for about six months last year and made the mistake of quitting it cold turkey. I had really bad side effects for several weeks after that. The biggest one was nausea. I was so nauseated that I really couldn't eat anything without vomiting. I had a lack of appetite on top of that and lost several pounds until the symptoms got better two weeks later. I still had fatigue for another week or so though.
I will never make the mistake of quitting any anti-depressant cold turkey again. I will quit it slowly, decreasing the dose over weeks. I've heard that when it's done that way, there are little to none medication withdrawal symptoms. The article also mentioned this and I suggest everyone to take this warning seriously! |
