Mirtazipine withdrawal

[PandaG]

I've been taking 15mg mirtazipine for 18 months for depression. I'm mentally well again, and on the advice of the gp have cut down to one tablet every other day. I have been on reduced meds for about a week, and mentally am fine so far, but just feel like I have been hit by a steam roller. I'm on leave from work this week thankfully, as I have found it really difficult to get up, going back to sleep until late morning.

Just wondered if anyone else had similar experience and had any words of wisdom?
Thanks. :)

I don't recall any specific withdrawal symptoms from Mirtazapine. It was certainly easier to come off than Fluoxetine and Venlafaxine.

I think I felt tired for a few days, but other than that it was over with and done and dusted within a week from memory.

I guess everyone reacts differently.

I reduced mine differently and take half a tablet a night. I had headaches for a week after but apart from that felt normal.

I also didnt feel bad reducing mirtazapine but these drugs are so personal. You might, especially if this is your first antidepressant. You could alway titrate down in the way suggested by PP, in consultation with your doc, ie take every day but slightly less. You can get sublingual fastmelt type mirtazapine.

All antidepressants can cause flu-like symptoms as a withdrawal effect. But it should pass eventually.

Thanks both. I'm wondering if half a tablet a night would be better. I'm just glad I can lie in this week.
I'm doing a degree part time, and have had lots of deadlines recently, but have 2 months now without a deadline, maybe I have just relaxed and my exhaustion has caught up with me?

Keep in mind that lower dose of Mirtazapine actually increases the sedative effect.

It's sounds counter intuitive but it's true.

IIRC, I took one every other day for a few days, they one every 3 days for a week then stopped.

Thanks. :)