mirtazepine

[kippy2]

I am in day 5 of mirtazipane, dose of 15mg, and my heart rate has increased and I can sleep for hours. Is this a normal side affect for this medication in the early stages? It’s worrying me. I am also in citalopram 20mg and have been for 8 months. Thank you

[BlueAgave]

From what I've read online, mirtazepine can also be prescribed for insomnia. That's possibly why you're sleeping more.

[kippy2 in reply to BlueAgave]

thank you, I am also very spacey all day, any experience of that with this medication?

[Electricblues in reply to kippy2]

Hello, insomnia is a big issue in my life along with anxiety/depression. I find the mirtazapine is helpful if I take it at bedtime rather than earlier in the day. As both your medications are in the antidepressant family, perhaps you may want to talk to your doctor about the time if day you take them. The mirtazapine is also prescribe for me in place of the alprazolam which a former doctor prescribed for me.

[kippy2 in reply to Electricblues]

Thank you

[Nothing_but_books]

drugs.com/mirtazapine.html

[shouty]

I also take the same 2 medications as you. The Mirtazepine made me sleepy to start with but this settled down after about a month & I'm on 30mg at night. Hope it does the same for you 🤞

[kippy2 in reply to shouty]

Thank you. Has it helped your depression really well?

[Kinlay]

I have taken mirtazapine for years, and the sleeping is a normal side effect. Taking it at night can help, and a lot of folks find that symptom gets better over time (I'd give it 2-3 weeks at least unless the sleepiness is seriously interfering with life).

The heart rate, however, concerns me. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR ASAP if this symptom is still occurring!!! Both of those meds have rare, heart-related side effects. If it were me, I'd insist on a visit to have them listen to my heart, just in case. Hopefully, they will listen and say it all fine, but I firmly believe that it is always better to err on the side of caution. I hope this helps! Hang in there - and remember that you are not alone.

[kippy2 in reply to Kinlay]

Thank you so much for your help. Yes I will contact my doctor. Can you remember how long it took for your depression to become better on this medication?

[Kinlay in reply to kippy2]

It seems like it helped pretty quickly, within a few weeks, but it was almost 12 years ago. I do know that it got me out of the worst depression I had ever been in. Over time, I've gone up to 45 mg, so don't be surprised if your heart checks out and your doctor ends up raising the dose in a few weeks. But DO get your heart checked!!!!! I'm worried about you.

If the mirtazapine does start working, you may also want to talk to your doctor about going down on the citalopram if you are going to go up on mirtazapine (or even just stay on it). Combining meds raises the risk of side effects (like the heart stuff, but even the sleepiness can be worse with combined drugs than alone). Every doctor seems to want to combine meds, but I believe from my research that it's far healthier to try CHANGING meds first. Of course, that is just my opinion, but it's well worth a conversation with your doctor.

[kippy2 in reply to Kinlay]

Hello Kinlay, I’m so pleased you’ve taken the time to reply to me. Are you still in Mirtizipene? And if so does it still help. I have noticed that my pulse does go back to normal after a while, so that’s good. Hooe thus drug helps me as it did you. You are very kind for replying, thank you.

[Kinlay in reply to kippy2]

Seriously, DO NOT IGNORE the racing heart!!! Have your doctor evaluate it just in case:

"Mirtazapine may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious ... fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away."

"Taking citalopram may put you at higher risk of a serious heart rhythm change called QT prolongation, which can cause sudden death. People with slow heart rate, recent heart attack, or severe heart failure should also not take citalopram."

Yes, I do feel it still helps, although the anxiety has gotten much worse since Covid. I am currently working on balancing my hormone levels to help with that. But if my heart was being affected, I would be in to see my doctor immediately!!!

If s/he checks you out and isn't worried, then great, but please, please, let him know.

[kippy2 in reply to Kinlay]

Thanks Kinlay, I will speak to my doctor. I wish you well and hope your anxiety lessens soon