special offer

Generic Name: Remeron (mirtazapine)

Remeron Reviews

For Depression "TLDR: Alleviated body panic and sleeping issues. Do not take if you already have issues managing symptoms of depression. I was prescribed this for PTSD and because my sensitivity to noise disrupted my sleep. Sudden noises produced a sort of 'fight or flight' response from my body that was typically followed by an emotional response. Remeron dials down that nervous response. I haven't woken to footsteps while on it and I have become significantly less sensitive to surprises. Beware, your body will take time to get used to this medication. For the first week, I was horribly lethargic. After that, I had issues with anger and rage-filled outbursts. Always keep in mind that drugs are just a fraction of what it takes to be mentally well. To all reading this, I love you and I'm proud of you for being here."


For Depression "I am an alcoholic/addict who had been self-medicating through any illicit substance I could get my hands on for over 10 years. Remeron was suggested in treatment since I've suffered with anxiety/social anxiety/major depression for so many years that I had lost hope in ever getting better. Remeron worked fast and with counseling/meditation/exercise, and I felt like a person again. I was on Remeron for about 4 months until I tapered off my 7.5 mg dose. For me, less was more. About 10 months later, I noticed my depression creeping up, and since I've been sober/clean for about 15 months, I felt like I fell short in mental health maintenance (when I really didn't). So I went to see a doctor and got back on 15mg, and the next day the medication was already working better than I could have ever hoped for. I didn't want to accept the fact that I was getting depressed, but if I didn't reach out for help, it would have led me down the road to relapse."


For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed Remeron due to having the additional complications of low appetite and increasing insomnia in major depressive disorder. I would sometimes be unable to sleep or completely lose interest in eating. I do not have the option to ignore food because I actually get hunger signals again. In the past month, after three months on this drug, something happened for the first time in nearly a decade: I had dreams multiple nights in a row. I have gone from dreams being completely absent in my sparse, unsatisfying sleep to having a dream every night for the past four weeks. I only began taking antidepressants on top of seeking therapy because I had become entirely unable to sleep for more than two hours a day, and while I had begun getting more sleep than I had gotten since beginning college, I now actually sleep seven to eight hours a night and have my long-lost dreams back. I didn’t realize how badly I missed dreaming until it returned."


For Depression "I really like this medication. I'd always been wary of antidepressants because of the well-known side effects, but being an SSRI, I gave this one a shot. Never looked back. Gained maybe 8 pounds, but you can't tell because I look and feel so much healthier and happier. Little to no side effects other than that 8 pounds, I can finally sleep again. Woke up a little dizzy in the morning for the first 2 or 3 weeks, but it doesn't happen anymore. You probably won't ever forget to take it, and you won't be able to sleep without it once you're on it, but my quality of life is so much higher I don't mind."


For Depression "Fantastic medicine! I have insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Helps me fall asleep and sleep hard all through the night. I wake up feeling refreshed. This pill gives me lots of energy. I'm back on my bicycle and hitting my home gym daily. I feel confident in myself for the first time and almost feel guilty for not having constant self-depreciating thoughts. Thankful God has given me powerful healing in this medicine. A tool against the devil, I no longer hear his lies so much. Living happily."


For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Remeron for 5 weeks. Before taking this, I had extreme anxiety. I felt like I had a steel band tightening around my midriff, heart beating like it was going to explode, shaking when I had to go out, and lack of sleep. Now, on this, I have the confidence to go out, my heart rate feels normal, and thank goodness the steel band has disappeared. I hope this has been helpful to someone out there. Good luck."


For Depression "I was on 7.5 for a few months after deaths in the family. Remeron works WELL. No side effects except it being hard to wake up, hence coffee. EXERCISE & LIMIT CARBS while on it. Many people say it’s impossible to come off Remeron. It’s Not. Yes it’s not easy, but it’s doable. If you do a slow, gradual taper over several weeks or months, depending on your specific situation, you will be off no problem. I’ve been off for about a week now, and I tapered over 2 months more or less, to the point of taking micro doses (a tiny crumb of a pill) in the final days. Make sure to have the natural calming agents: Fish oil, Magnesium Glycinate, Ashwagandha, CBD oil, Melatonin, GABA, Chamomile tea, & Vitamin C. Have a good healthy diet with organic foods, exercise daily, and meditate before going to bed. The people that struggle coming off came off too fast, or tried cold turkey. If you have bad insomnia and need temporary (weeks/months) help sleeping, this is a VERY GOOD drug."


For Insomnia "I am writing to say DO NOT judge by the experience of others - try it yourself. In my case, after twenty years of stumbling daily through a heavy fog, unable to concentrate, loss of memory, no motivation. Remeron gave me 8 hours of sleep a night, week after week, until I became a new person simply because my body was getting rest. I made sure only healthy, healthy food was available in my house and did not have any weight gain at all. For some people this will provide a miraculous turnaround - try it like I did - two weeks will give you a good test, no need for six weeks like other drugs. Start on low dose, don't take it until bedtime, no matter what the doctor says. Good luck, hope it helps you too."


For Depression "I have suffered from severe disabling anxiety and depression for over a year now. I'm a paramedic and father of 2 children and it greatly affected my ability to work, or even go to work, and also my ability to enjoy my children when I had them. Lost 30-40 lbs. After trying every SSRI on the market for 4 weeks and finally developing suicidal thoughts, I checked myself into a hospital. Within 4 days of starting Remeron, depression was completely relieved. Still have anxiety at times, no panic attacks. VERY FEW SIDE EFFECTS. Had sweating the first 2 days, that's it. GREAT MEDICINE FOR ME!!!!!!! I'm eating again and feeling great!"


For Depression "I was taking mirtazapine for around a year and had I been in a better space I would have gotten off it as soon as I realized it was causing certain effects on me. Minor side effects: sluggishness, major weight gain. I was prescribed this medication due to having poor sleep, but it made me have vivid awful dreams - sleep paralysis multiple times a night. I used to sleep for 14+ hours, usually in the day due to being worried about falling asleep for the nightmares. It caused me to miss lots of university - I was so tired and drowsy I could not physically get up. I wish I had been able to understand the effect it was having on my body and stop them sooner. I was severely suicidal. I made plans almost daily, even walking to the shop I thought about walking in front of buses. It was a truly awful time in my life, made worse by a medication which did not suit me. I’m glad it has worked for some, but if anyone I knew personally were to tell me they were taking it, I would advise them not to."


For Depression "I NEVER REALIZED HOW BAD I WAS UNTIL I STARTED FEELING GOOD AGAIN!! Remeron has changed my life. I had anxiety and depression, and I had tried Zoloft, Buspar, Wellbutrin, and am on Lexapro still. Some of my worst anxiety symptoms were nausea, lack of appetite, and vivid dreams. I am currently on Lexapro 15 mg with 7.5 mg Remeron that I started a little over a week ago. I was scared to try it because I am sensitive to medication changes, but the first night I slept amazingly, fell asleep easily, and woke up with a quiet mind. I still had vivid dreams, but I did not have an anxiety-producing reaction. I was scared I would never find an answer to my anxiety disorder, which resulted in depression as well. Highly recommended if dealing with insomnia, vivid dreams, and lack of appetite. I did not have any weight gain but did have food cravings for the first day or so, but other than that, this drug was side effect-free. The weight has finally been lifted off my shoulders, and the mind is much quieter."


For Depression "I'm a 43-year-old woman and I've been on 30mg Remeron for over 10 years now. It was prescribed for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I was NOT sleeping at all. When I first started taking it, I was a walking zombie for about 2-3 months (got some much-needed sleep), however, after that, it's like someone opened a window in a dark room. I was feeling 80% normal (prior to taking it, I was in the negative). I'll take 80% any day. You should take it an hour or so before bedtime because it has a huge sedative effect. Take care in the beginning because it's potent to begin with. It takes time for it to start really working, so don't be put off by the zombie state, it does go away."


For Depression "My main problem is a pretty bad insomnia/anxiety. I tried several natural products over the last 3 years (melatonin, Valerian root, Tea, GABA, Magnesium, etc.) as well as using good sleeping habits. I just couldn't support the lack of sleep anymore (hundreds of nights without sleeping in the last year) so my GP prescribed me with Zopiclone & Trazodone. It didn't work, and my anxiety went pretty bad. I finally pushed my GP to prescribe Remeron. After one week, I regained my sleeping cycle at 15mg. Little to no side effects for me except I feel a bit sleepy until 10 AM. Really mild antidepressant, far from SSRI's really bad side & withdrawal effects. Try it without fear."


For Depression "Probably the best antidepressant I've taken in terms of overall effect and side effects (minimal side effects). Also, I noted the improvement in days, vs weeks for SSRI/SNRI's. It's not like being hit by a dose of Ritalin but just was a general sense of wanting to get back in the game, feeling ok, but not 'locked in' - still have a good range of emotions."


For Major Depressive Disorder "30mg every night for PTSD, panic disorder, and major depression. Dealing with childhood trauma like physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault from a young age. Mind doesn't race as much, don't have dangerous thoughts anymore. I still experience panic attacks, occasional chest tightness if I think about it, but panic attacks have significantly gone down to at least maybe once a month if not every other month. I have gained a few pounds. If you have a sensitive stomach, eating right before or after taking this medication else you'll feel bad waves of nausea. My parents hid panic disorder as a child and lied to me about it, so I started experiencing them much more often in high school. Have I honestly never felt better mentally. I can't say enough good things about this medication! Wait it out if you really think this will work for you. I had tried over 6 medications, this one works miracles, and my mental health is 70-75% better."


For Depression "I have ADHD, OCD, and depression. The moment I took this medication, my intrusive thoughts from OCD went away. I am no longer depressed, even when life should be getting me down. Everything seems bearable. I just feel like things are okay, I can make it. I've never felt like this before, really. Most of the time I get overwhelmed with life, but I think this medication has pulled me out of the dark hole I was in before. It does make me very hungry and sleepy. I take it in the evenings. It's hard to get up in the morning, but coffee fixes that for me. I don't recommend this to someone who cannot control their eating habits and gains weight easily."


For Depression "I literally split a 15mg down to into 8ths because my body is so sensitive. Wow... I have been out of it for DAYS. I cannot stop sleeping. Put me in a horrible weird state like I don't know what's going on or like I'm truly awake. Just feel 'out of it'... Off of a sliver! I have read contradictory things about dosing. I would indeed say and agree with that the lower doses are VERY sedating. Very weirdly vivid (not nightmarish) dreams... I had a gene test done and this medication was on my 'lower doses maybe be required'. I can't even imagine what a high dose would do! This is completely staying on my 'NO!' list! Be careful of this medication because it is POWERFUL. I feel like I've just been high for days. Like I've just been smoking the most dank weed and I've just been stuck in this high. When I wake up, I feel like I'm manic, like I just have a huge rush of anxiety. I wanted to try this because I am experiencing 'heartburn' like chest pain that isn't acid-related at all."


For Depression "I’m on my 8th day since I started taking half of a 30mg pill before I go to sleep every day. It helps me have a very good night's sleep, has enhanced my appetite, and is helping me cope and deal with the hard situation I’m facing. I am satisfied with the results so far although I feel sleepy all day long."


For Major Depressive Disorder "I've taken this medication for four weeks before leaving a review. I was previously on Sertraline for four years, which helped but caused regular headaches and made sleep problems worse. Mirtazapine helped with sleep immediately after I started taking it. The first few days, I could have slept all day but soon got into a regular sleep routine. After eight to nine days, I noticed that my mood had stabilized, and within the first two weeks, I was feeling much calmer. Extreme and erratic thinking had been subdued. This may have been, in part, due to improved sleep as well as the medication itself. After three weeks, I noticed a very real difference as my 'brain fog' disappeared. This was an almost overwhelming improvement. I am 50 years old and have suffered from depression/anxiety since childhood. My education and work life have been adversely affected by a lack of concentration and 'agitated' thinking. For the first time in my life, I am able to sit at my desk and work for hours at a time."


For Depression "I've been taking this for about a year. The sedative effects have decreased as time has passed. It gives me a huge appetite right before I go to sleep, but I can avoid it with some self-control. It also made me dizzy during the first week or two, but that has also disappeared. I have energy, focus, and humor again. It's an effective antidepressant."


For Depression "I had been taking Remeron for about 6 months. I am 23 years of age and have had sleep problems my whole life. For 6 months, my life was great. Everything seemed just perfect. 2 months ago, I decided to stop taking it cold turkey. BAD idea. Within the last month, the side effects began to kick in. Extreme anxiety, anger, sleeplessness, overall feeling of worthlessness came upon me. It was absolutely terrible! Today, my doctor put me back on the medicine and tonight I'll be taking it again. I am so excited to see what lies ahead. If you take Remeron, PLEASE do not quit taking it cold turkey on your own. Seek a doctor's advice."


For Depression "Prior to taking mirtazapine/Remeron, I had been on most SSRI and SNRI type drugs. I had chronic depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety. Before taking Mirtazapine, I was starting to think all these drugs were a joke or a big con. I also didn't realize how ill I was until I started Mirtazapine, it's been a revelation! The first month, I went manic and had a few side effects. Since then, I've had the first three years of my life without any major episodes. My insomnia has basically disappeared, and I sleep like clockwork 2 hours after taking 30 mg. I can't describe just how grateful I am, it's not just changed my mood but also my whole frame of reference and outlook. It's something akin to changing the color of a lens on a camera, where once everything looked dark, now everything looks bright. Anxiety is the one area where it's been a help but has not solved the problem completely. My anxiety has improved, but I'm still trying to find a med that targets panic attacks and anxiety disorder."


For Major Depressive Disorder "Okay, been on this drug Remeron for depression for the longest time! Have been on so many different drugs, worked for a while, then nada, side effects, etc. My history, for 20 more years, is major depression and anxiety disorder. Partial personality disorder, it’s kicking in now, sorry. Remeron has been a Godsend to me for a long time. I, along with others, would highly recommend this."


For Depression "This medication is one of modern medicine's true miracles. I started taking it 7 months ago after a devastating benzo/opiate relapse, and I have suffered from MDD and insomnia for 19 years. During that time, I have literally tried everything - legal AND illegal. Thank God for this medicine. I did gain a ton of weight at first but consider it a small price to pay for high quality/quantity of sleep, energy, a positive mood, and an all-around 'good' feeling. Everyone reacts to medicine differently, don't give up. I am so thankful to have my sanity and my life back - all thanks to this medicine."


For Major Depressive Disorder "Mirtazapine took my depression away in as little as 5 days. It was great, now I can live. 5 months later I started having severe bouts of breathlessness. My Psych says it is not the drug, it is anxiety. I stopped the drug for three days and the symptom totally went away. I went back on it real quick cuz the depression came on fast. Doc put me on 0.5 mg clonazepam twice a day, but doesn't help the breathing. Anybody else have this breathlessness?"

More about Remeron (mirtazapine)

  • Check interactions
  • Compare alternatives
  • Pricing & coupons
  • Drug images
  • Latest FDA alerts (5)
  • Side effects
  • Dosage information
  • Patient tips
  • During pregnancy
  • Generic availability
  • Support group
  • Drug class: tetracyclic antidepressants
  • Breastfeeding
  • En español

Patient resources

  • Remeron drug information

Other brands

Remeron SolTab

Professional resources

  • Remeron prescribing information
  • Mirtazapine (AHFS Monograph)

Other brands

Remeron SolTab

Related treatment guides

  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Depression