Mirtazapine v citalopram

[mrsrat]

Just been put on mirtazapine 30mg from 40 mg citalopram per day. Took first one last night and virtually passed out. Feel really zonked and have eaten much more than usual. Leaflet says these symptoms are not abnormal at beginning. Not sure whether to carry on taking. Anyone had these before ?

Hiya mrsrat

I have been on both citalopram and mirtazapine.

Can I just ask, why the switch? For me, my depression was a very anxious, agitated kind and insomnia was a key feature.

When I tried citalopram it sent my anxiety levels through the roof, I was vomiting and literally shaking. I didn't sleep for 5 days and nights. It was utterly terrifying. I stopped it after 3 days and it took a further 36 hours to fully get out of my system. Those days were horrendous for me. I have since learnt that citalopram is quite "activating" and so is useful for those that are very slowed down, sleep for more than 13 hours a day etc,

Mirtazapine on the other hand, is, what I believe to be a more "sedating" AD. It helps you sleep and calms you down. For me, it sorted my sleep problem straight away. Yes you do feel zonked at first but this effect wore off after 2 weeks. I did feel hungrier at the beginning too but I only put on a few pounds. After being on it several months the weight came off again. However, I only take 15mg, so not sure the effect of 30 mg.

Hope you start to feel better soon. My advice is to give it two weeks at least and then review how you feel
xx

Thanks for reply I have been taking c for over 2 years now and am very stressed at mo. ( Death of close friend , finances etc etc )Told doctor C didn't seem strong enough so switched me to M. Have taken half tonight and will see if feel better. Need to stop eating though or might explode soon !

sorry to hear that, sounds like you are going through a very tough time.

I believe you can actually take both at the same time, as they work in different ways (citalopram is an SSRI and mirtazapine an SNRI) but your doc knows best.

bizarrely 15mg is supposed to be MORE sedating than the 30mg. So you may find things improve when you switch to the 30mg.

I was on 40 mg of Citalopram and got switched to Mirtazapine which as increased to 45mg. I have put on a stone andI hate it. I am going to ask to get switched to something that doesn’t make me blow up like a balloon. As anyone else put on weight with Mirtazapine ?