Mirtazapine Withdrawal – Mirtazapine (Remeron), like most antidepressants, can result in intense withdrawals if a person attempts to quit abruptly. For this reason, it is generally recommended to taper dosage amounts over time to reduce the intensity of withdrawals. While this method requires a prolonged detox period, it also allows more time for the body to adapt to functioning without exposure to the medication.
How Mirtazapine Works
Mirtazapine is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as tetracyclic antidepressants. It works by preventing the reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin. This effect increases the level of both of these feel-good chemicals in the brain.
Mirtazapine Detox
Mirtazapine stays in the body between 4-9 days, depending on multiple factors. These include genetics, age, liver and kidney function, dosage, and drug history. These factors can all play a major role in how rapidly the body processes and clears mirtazapine.
Gradual tapering off of the drug can be expected to last as long as several months. The length of a detox program will depend on how long a person has been using mirtazapine and in what amount. If the dose is high or it has been used for a prolonged period, it will probably take longer to wean off of the medication safely.
Common Mirtazapine Withdrawal Symptoms
After becoming physiologically dependent on mirtazapine, a person who quits using it abruptly or “cold turkey” can expect to encounter withdrawal symptoms. These can persist for several weeks. If you are attempting to stop the use of this medication, you should always consult a doctor. It is usually recommended to reduce the dosage slowly, and by weaning off the drug, you can prevent many of the would-be symptoms of withdrawal.
Common withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- Appetite changes
- Vertigo
- Dizziness
- Sweats
- Shakiness
- Irritability
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
Mirtazapine withdrawal symptoms are not considered life-threatening. Nonetheless, if they become severe, they can be very uncomfortable and cause severe anxiety and depression. These negative emotional states can lead to suicidal thoughts in otherwise mentally healthy individuals.
For this reason, medical guidance during withdrawal from any antidepressant is generally recommended. And, although these withdrawal symptoms may be frightening, you can avoid them with the direction of a physician and a solid recovery plan.
Mirtazapine Withdrawal Timeline
Because mirtazapine alters levels of brain chemicals that regulate mood, when a person stops taking mirtazapine, the body will need time to adjust. For this reason, gradually tapering off the drug can help relieve many withdrawal symptoms.
The duration of this somewhat tedious process depends on the time frame in which you have been using mirtazapine as well as the dosage, (between 15 and 45 mg). Tapering may take months when performed correctly, but withdrawal symptoms generally subside within 30 days after discontinuation. The severity of the symptoms will be mild compared to stopping use cold turkey.
Managing Mirtazapine Withdrawal Symptoms
The best way to ease withdrawal symptoms when stopping mirtazapine is to lower the dosage slowly each month. The rate at which the dose should be lowered depends on how well the body responds to the reduction in use. However, it is typically recommended to taper down at a rate of only about 10% each month.
If you are using the maximum recommended dosage (45 mg), then the weaning process could take months to achieve. But importantly, doing so will result in much milder withdrawal symptoms. Fortunately, withdrawal symptoms usually only persist for a few weeks after discontinuation.
Detox and Medications
During the tapering process, there are medications one should avoid using. These medications include other antidepressants, such as MAO inhibitors, SSRIs, and other drugs that can cause drowsiness.
It is also strongly advised to avoid using alcohol or marijuana while detoxing, as this can increase the severity of side effects.
How to Choose a Treatment Center
Always consult with your doctor before discontinuing Remeron, and don’t be afraid to ask for extra help. If you feel you need more intensive, specialized treatment, you may not need to look any further than Harmony Treatment and Wellness.
Persons who use antidepressants like Remeron often experience anxiety or depressive disorders and can suffer from rebound symptoms when they try to quit. Co-occurring mental health conditions such as these should be treated in combination with any type of drug withdrawal. Our specialized facility is equipped to do just that.
We offer comprehensive treatment services in the form of psychotherapy, counseling, group support, and more. We are dedicated to helping clients free themselves from the use of substances, including prescription medications, drugs, and alcohol.
If you or someone you know is attempting to stop drug or alcohol use, contact us today! We provide people with the resources, tools, and support they need to regain mental, physical, and emotional wellness for life!
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