Mirtazapine

[Lynne75]

Hi everyone I'm posting this on behalf of my sister she has been on these meds for two days and is taking them before bed she struggles to get up next day and feels very zombie like for a few hours so I'm wondering how long should she expect to feel this way? Thank you.

[jrcnpg]

You don't say what dosage she is on since that will make all the difference in terms of the effectveness of the mirtazapne. If she has been prescribed them solwely for depression, the maximum dosage is 45mg taken in staggered doses throughout the day. The largest dose of 30mg is taken in the evening because of the sedative properties of ths medication with one 15mg in the mornings. Also, age is a factor to take into consideration; the older you are, the less sleep is required and therefore your GP will have taken this into account. If she has been taking them for two days only, then I would urge her to continue with them despite the current disasdvanatges she is experiencing. They take up to eight weeks to do their job properly yet, and I speakfrom experience, they actually do work. I wish her well.

[Lynne75 in reply to jrcnpg]

Hi thanks for replying she did mention starting on 15mg and going up to 45mg.shes 45 and having a disabled daughter I know she is use to little sleep.i will let her know that how she feels will slowly fade and she will benefit from these meds X 

[jrcnpg in reply to Lynne75]

My pleasure. Perseverence is the way forward I think. Having a disabled daughter is difficult, I realise that, but the benefits (in the long term) far outweigh the disadvantages.

[Raksha1964]

I was like this got easier as went on, but prob a month. I was then upped to 45mg at night.

I actually spoke to my consultant at hospital who prescribes drugs only they can give as was bit concerned. His advice was to take couple hours before bed. Which tried & it did help. I just made sure anything I needed to do before bed or ready for first thing was done before I took. This, for me helped, I now take approx 3hrs before bed & am fine. She must keep going with them, they do help, just take a little time for your body to settle to them.

[Lavelock67]

For your sister: 

It takes 1-2 weeks before the super tiredness wears off for most people.  This drug has a strange effect of the higher the dosage the less tired you feel which is counter intuitive.  It also usually makes people hungry and gain weight so be careful what you eat and don't go carb or snack crazy on it.  Good luck.