Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by ATMC Clinical Review Team
Table of Contents:
- Remeron Withdrawal Symptoms
- Videos: Remeron Withdrawal
- Safe Remeron Withdrawal Is Possible
- Discontinuing/Quitting Remeron (mirtazapine)
- Gradual Remeron Withdrawal Recommended
- Testimonial Remeron Withdrawal Success
- What Is Remeron (mirtazapine) Used For?
- Remeron (mirtazapine) Alternative Names & Slang
- Remeron Side Effects
- Remeron (Mirtazapine) FAQs
- Treatment for Remeron Withdrawal & Recovery
“bluebg”]
Remeron Withdrawal Symptoms
Remeron© withdrawal effects should be observed carefully, even when stopping Remeron slowly, as these include some potentially life-threatening events. Researchers such as Berigan 15 and Haddad 16 note the exact mechanism of withdrawals is unknown, though serotonin or other hormone dysregulation is suspected to play a role in the phenomena. The below list outlines some Remeron withdrawal symptoms that are listed on the drug’s FDA label.
Remeron withdrawal symptoms include:
- Suicidal thinking or behaviors*
- Thoughts of harming self, negative self-talk
- Tremors, shaking, jerkiness
- Disturbed sleep, nightmares, vivid dreams, insomnia
- Panic attacks
- Brain zaps
- Sensory disturbances
- Nausea, vomiting
- Decrease in appetite
- Abdominal pain, digestive issues
- Increased tiredness, fatigue, somnolence
- Flu-like symptoms
- Mood swings, crying spells
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion, brain fog, cannot focus
- Worsened depression, dysphoria
- Irritability, aggression
- Sweating
- Headache
- Prickling or tingling skin sensations
- Dizziness
*See the FDA black box warning for more information on the increased risk of suicide in specific age groups with Remeron (mirtazapine). Suicide is also a known risk for adults, though this liability is not mentioned on the drug label.28
While Remeron© might have been prescribed to help with sleep, or lift depression, you may have found any relief at best temporary. You are not alone. Many patients have been left suffering and frequently, in a worsened state.
Safe Remeron Withdrawal is Possible
Remeron withdrawal can be safely navigated with proper preparation, adequate education, and support along the way. The antidepressant Remeron (mirtazapine) is a tetracyclic atypical antidepressant medication used in the treatment of depression and other off-label uses in adults 18 and older.
As stated on the label, Remeron is not approved for patients under age 18 due to increased suicidal thoughts, as stated on the package’s Black Box warning.2 However, suicidality in adults has also been documented with mirtazapine.28
Remeron or mirtazapine side effects are similar to many other antidepressant medications and may present as mild, moderate, severe, and potentially life-threatening. These drug reactions are frequently what lead to a decision to stop taking mirtazapine. Instead of trying yet another antidepressant, one can consider natural Remeron alternatives. We recommend you ask your provider or a naturopath to help guide you. Seek professional guidance about how to safely get off Remeron before commencing the task.
Mirtazapine Drug Names
The patent on Remeron (mirtazapine) expired in 2004. Since then, many other brand name versions have been developed and marketed including Reflex©, Mirtin©, Tetrazic©, Zestat©, Zispin©, Pharmataz©, Miro©, Ramure©, Calixa©, and dozens of others.
Discontinuing/Quitting Remeron (mirtazapine)
Talk to a trusted healthcare practitioner who can help you devise and manage a structured, safe plan for Remeron withdrawal over an adequate period of time. Never attempt a “cold turkey” (abrupt) approach to coming off antidepressants of any type. Stopping Remeron can be done best with guidance and attentive medical support. Nutritional support is often overlooked but can be extremely helpful on the road to recovery.23
Inpatient treatment is advised, but if that is not available to you, talk to your prescriber about ways to help yourself during Remeron withdrawal such as minimizing work or other obligations for a period of time that may require a doctor’s letter. Even the WHO acknowledges that adequate rest is essential in any drug withdrawal management strategy.27
You are welcome to share the information here and on our antidepressant alternatives page and open a discussion with your physician.
Gradual Remeron Withdrawal Recommended
Abrupt Remeron withdrawal including the equivalent versions of mirtazapine causes withdrawal symptoms that can be overwhelming. But even slow withdrawal can cause adverse effects. The FDA and other regulatory bodies advise against stopping mirtazapine abruptly.
Please note: A slow Remeron taper is recommended as this allows time for the body to adjust in a more gentle fashion.7
We will cover some frequently asked questions about Remeron and mirtazapine below. Please consult your primary caregiver for specific guidance or if you have concerns about taking mirtazapine or are considering Remeron withdrawal. Be aware of drug reactions that seem unusual or make you feel uncomfortable. To assist you in gathering information, we can also provide more information on request concerning stopping prescription medication safely. If the decision is made to stop taking mirtazapine, or any prescription drug, it should always be done with close medical oversight and competent guidance.
Testimonial
Remeron Withdrawal
Success
At ATMC I was always supported. The staff was great at providing opportunities for me to work towards stability. What helped me here was always keeping a positive outlook and constant encouragement and reminders to keep faith in myself.
~Jackie
What Is Remeron (mirtazapine) Used For?
Remeron (mirtazapine) was approved primarily for the treatment of MDD or major depressive disorder. MDD symptoms are described in the DSM V and include certain diagnostic criteria.
- Symptoms should not be included that are clearly attributable to another medical or pathological condition.
- The physiological effects of a substance are not attributable to the depressive episode.
As stated, before diagnosing a person with MDD, at least the 2 above elements (along with other diagnostic criteria) are supposed to be verified, but in practice, these criteria are too often ignored.1,6,7
IMPORTANT NOTE:
It would follow that adequate testing and investigation would have to be done to rule out these potential root causes for a depressed condition before attempting to medicate the patient. A plethora of alternative antidepressant therapies exist, that could prove safer and more sustainable without the negative side effects associated with drug-based therapy.
Such investigations would have to include, at a minimum, testing for nutritional deficiencies, environmental toxins in the current or past environment, food or other allergies, the body burden of neurotoxic elements like heavy metals, pathologies, drug use, developed dependence, and many other potential agents or influences or substances known to cause or contribute to a depressed state. A link between heavy metals exposure and psychiatric symptoms has been the subject of much eye-opening research, as seen in the clinical papers of Orisakwe 24 Attademo 25 Newbury 26 and so many others.
Heavy metals can be investigated with lab testing. Purging the system of these neurotoxins in a safe and gentle manner is a valuable step towards natural mental health. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also be tested for, providing valuable information used in rehabilitating neurotransmitter health for each individual client at Alternative to Meds Center. These are some examples of the types of protocols that are used in the Alternative to Meds Center Remeron withdrawal treatment and recovery programs.
Remeron (mirtazapine) off-label uses include:
- PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, GAD, social anxiety disorder 17
- Insomnia 3,17
- Itching 18
- Post-operative nausea 19,22
- Tension headache, migraine headaches 17
- As an appetite stimulant 4,5,17
Remeron (mirtazapine) Alternative Names & Slang
As discussed earlier, there are a substantial number of names for mirtazapine around the world. When mirtazapine is combined with venlafaxine it is sometimes called “California Rocket Fuel,” indicating recreational use.
Remeron Side Effects
There can be a wide range of side effects — some of them paradoxical, that can be experienced while taking mirtazapine-type drugs. Suicidality, mania, hypomania, aggression, hostility, impulsivity, anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, worsened depression, excessive tiredness, lethargy, unusual or vivid dreams, and changes in behavior are particularly noted for emerging in the first month of treatment, or whenever the dosage is increased or decreased these symptoms can also emerge.2,28
Common Remeron Side Effects:
- A Black Box warning on the Remeron insert lists several areas for caregivers to monitor their adult patients closely, including suicidality, changes in behavior, and clinical worsening, i.e., worsened depression.2,6,12,28
- Other side effects can include anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, somnolence, dizziness, vertigo, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), drowsiness, sedation, calming, sleep-inducing, increased cholesterol, constipation, xerostomia (dry mouth), appetite stimulant, weight gain, hypomania, and mania (presents as exaggerated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior without regard for consequences, i.e., excessive shopping sprees, a flight of expansive or delusional thoughts, etc.)
- Flu-like side effects are associated with virtually all antidepressants.14
More Rare Remeron Side Effects:
- Infections, sore throat, cough, decreased white blood cell count, serotonin syndrome, renal impairment, liver injury or failure, tremor, hypertension, tachycardia, hyponatremia, akathisia, elevated transaminase enzymes 2,12,13,14,29
“bluebg”]
Remeron (Mirtazapine) FAQs
Remeron and mirtazapine have been around since the late 1990s. Over time, a fairly substantial body of information has been able to accumulate on the drug. Here are some of the topics and questions that are often searched for.
Treatment for Remeron Withdrawal and Recovery
At Alternative to Meds Center, we can help a person struggling with mirtazapine dependence or mirtazapine side effects. Often, mirtazapine side effects can become intolerable and this can lead to the decision to stop taking mirtazapine. In clinical trials, the number of participants who voluntarily opted for discontinuation was significantly higher than placebo, and other antidepressants comparatively.22
While some participants felt the benefits outweighed the negative impacts, in some cases, the person’s original symptoms were not helped by the medication. So while these are still present, there is the additional burden of Remeron withdrawal symptoms. Mirtazapine withdrawal can be difficult and could be better managed by inpatient care in a facility equipped to provide withdrawal help, as well as alleviate the original symptoms of distress.
Our protocols at Alternative to Meds Center are time-tested for nearly two decades now. Each client’s program is individually designed and carefully monitored throughout the mirtazapine withdrawal process to ensure the maximum safety and comfort of the client. If a client has not yet begun taking a medication, there are Remeron alternative treatments that could be considered.
Best Practices DSM Requires for Treatment
Alternative to Meds Center offers withdrawal help protocols that the most recent DSM revisions have begun to include in their diagnostic criteria. Best practices as delineated therein, now require the elimination of possible physical, pathological, or environmentally linked or causative factors before turning to a prescription drug. This is a sound protocol, but, we have observed that it has not been consistently or widely used in general medical or psychiatric practice. We are happy and relieved to see these protocols which have been in use at Alternative to Meds Center for nearly 20 years, now becoming more mainstream.
Many people have been prescribed antidepressants whose depression, insomnia, or anxiety could have possibly been treated without drugs, had the investigative work been done prior to choosing prescription drugs as the first-line treatment. For example, a state of constant symptoms can be caused by poisonous toxins building up in the body.17 No drug in the world will handle this, but neurotoxin cleansing is the best way forward in these cases. Lab testing can reveal such a condition.
Nonetheless, the wheels of progress sometimes turn slowly. Our clinical experience informs us that a significant number, perhaps even a majority, may be suffering from an unnecessary over-prescription of medication that followed a substandard or completely absent investigation of root causes for their symptoms.
Oddly enough, many persons who abused street drugs are given mirtazapine by a drug treatment program, oftentimes rather indiscriminately. We have seen many patients that struggle with reported mirtazapine dependence following such treatment decisions. We truly feel that a psychiatric diagnosis for drug addicts should be put on hold as an operating guideline, at least until the person has had a period of clean time abstaining from their drug of choice and implementing a healthy diet and behavioral modalities, and other helpful remedies. Stopping mirtazapine or Remeron safely would be an important segment of that process and should be done gently and safely with bonafide support systems in place.
Alternative to Meds Center’s Approach
Alternative to Meds Center has implemented a wealth of alternative treatments and natural methods for recovery after a course of drug-based treatment. Remeron is a drug with a plethora of adverse effects, and requires a controlled and gradual withdrawal strategy to make the process more easily endured.
ATMC uses a wide array of treatments for Remeron withdrawal including investigative lab testing and diet correction, removal of neurotoxins from the body, relaxation and massage therapies, Equine therapy, Qi Gong, nebulized glutathione treatments, natural pain management, acupuncture, CBT, and other forms of counseling, and a host of others that can be viewed on our services overview page.
You are invited to contact us at Alternative to Meds Center to examine more closely how we provide a safe and gradual mirtazapine taper program, in our comfortable, relaxed, and beautiful inpatient facility, under the close supervision of medical staff and highly trained practitioners. Using an integrative approach, comprehensive investigative steps are taken so we can show each client their exact profiled points that need correcting either psychodynamically, nutritionally or that may respond to neurotoxic body burden removal, and other important clinically relevant and science-based tools. There is much more information Alternative to Meds Center can provide to you on request concerning Remeron withdrawal.
for Remeron Withdrawal Help
Sources:
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26. Newbury JB, Stewart R, Fisher HL, Beevers S, Dajnak D, Broadbent M, Pritchard M, Shiode N, Heslin M, Hammoud R, Hotopf M, Hatch SL, Mudway IS, Bakolis I. Association between air pollution exposure and mental health service use among individuals with first presentations of psychotic and mood disorders: retrospective cohort study. Br J Psychiatry. 2021 Dec;219(6):678-685. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2021.119. PMID: 35048872; PMCID: PMC8636613. [cited 2022 July 27]
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Originally Published Sep 13, 2018 by Diane Ridaeus
ATMC Clinical Review Team
The ATMC Clinical Review Team includes licensed physicians and experienced healthcare professionals dedicated to ensuring the accuracy, quality, and integrity of our medical content. The team reviews articles for clinical accuracy, evidence-based guidance, and relevance while supporting Alternative to Meds Center’s whole-person approach to mental health, recovery, and long-term wellness.
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.