Mirtazapine · Holding · Oct 3, 2026

Tapering: Mirtazapine

holding

4 posts

Australia

Hi, I'm Joanne1976

October 3, 2026

Hi everyone, I was put on Mirtazipine for acute anxiety and insomnia. 1 started at 7.5mg for approx 1 week then went up to 15mg. I was sleeping well and felt fine (ie no anxiety or mood issues at all). I then stupidly said to the doctor I don't mind staying on Mirtazipine for a while and would also be happy to try 30mg. After 3 nights on 30mg I felt really irritable so the doctor said drop back down to 15mg. All hell let lose from then. I felt extremely anxious - very tight chested for approx 6 days then had some reasonable days then the anxiety started up again (the episode lasted approx 2 weeks). I was then convinced that Mirtazipine itself was causing the anxiety to I dropped down to 11.25mg. Felt normal for 2 days, then on the third day felt very sad which freaked me out. I then got compounded 13.5mg capsules. I didn't sleep well on these at all which concerned me as they were obviously a bit different to the Axit brand Mirtazipine I had been taking. I took the capsules for 5 days then started 13.5mg Axit Mirtazipine combination of 7.5mg tablet and 12mg liquid. I've been on this now for 10 days and haven't stabilised. I feel anxious, a sense of dread, very teary (sometimes hysterically crying). From reading forums I understand that I should just keep holding this dose but would just love some advice that this is the right thing to do and that I should stabilise

Mirtazapine — 13.5mg — 3 months — holding | without clinician

9 Replies

anne noni mossOct 3

NavigatorPaxil · holding

Welcome @Joanne1976 ! I'm on a different drug, but lots of folks deal with mirtazipine and will chime in soon. I can relate to your symptoms. these drugs really do a doozy on our emotions and bodies. You are in the right place!

atypical in presentation of side effects, super sensitive to small doses and general delayed responder. never took a psych med that didn't' make me sick immediately with infections and restless legs. have never been able to tolerate being on them, but have never had support to get off so I've been bouncing back and forth. i don't like capital letters. sorry.

Paxil — 1 mg — 2 yrs — holding until Oct. 7 doc appt.
Seroquel — 50 — planning taper |
trileptal -75 planning taper
prasozin 1 mg planning taper

started my psych med saga in 2001 and wish I never had. I had some difficulties with sleep and anxiety, but NOTHING like what was in store for me after trying every med out there. My last treatment center promised to "get me totally off" in 2022 but it was a lie. They just switched drugs and added more and more in a desperate attempt to help me "stabilize," so they could call me a "success story" once insurance stopped paying. I agree with those who state that this industry needs to change. AND I'm working on not being resentful about my suffering because it doesn't help anyone.

been on an off cocktails since 2001. Most recent mixture, prescribed in 2024: 20 mg Paxil, 150 Trileptal, 50 Seroquel, 2 mg prasozin, (for PTSD/nightmares.)

immediately went to 1 mg prasozin, and after 3 months cut to 10 mg paxil. No felt effects. Then went to 5 about 3 months later, (though I didnt' keep track so I'm rusty.) No felt effects. So, I've roughly been on 5 mg for a year and a half.

Side effects always force to to start tapering RIGHT AWAY.

I didn't start keeping track of my Paxil taper until this year. I went from 3mg to 1 in 10 months, using a liquid Maudsley-ish slow taper. Again, no felt effects until now.

October 2026...sleeping less and feeling more sedated during the day. Having trouble managing my social life without getting over-stimulated. Must set boundaries according to my body and not my heart.

Holding 1 mg paxil until blood work done and evaluated, and to see if build a social life that doesn't make me lose sleep. Sounds silly as I type it, but actually, nothing is "silly" on this ride! Everything is WILD!!!! LOL

Keeping all other meds the same. Sorry so long.

Joanne1976Oct 4

Mirtazapine · holding

Thanks Anne for your reply. Would just be great to hear from other people who have stabilised as it feels like it will never end

Mirtazapine — 13.5mg — 3 months — holding | without clinician

⭐

CatinaOct 4

Community AnchorEffexor

HI @Joanne1976, welcome! Boy, you've had quite a rough time....so sorry! Frequent dose changes plus switching formulations and manufacturers can all present issues. My suggestion is to stick with the same dose/formulation/manufacturer and allow some time to pass so your brain can stabilize again. Stabilization can take weeks to months in some cases, so show yourself some kindness and patience. I hope this helps. Please keep us updated on how things are going for you! 🩷

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

Joanne1976Oct 4

Mirtazapine · holding

Thanks @Catina for message. Thanks to this site I've found the Pharmacist Anita Martin and have booked an appointment with her to help me taper safely.

Mirtazapine — 13.5mg — 3 months — holding | without clinician

Cosmic1973Oct 5

WelcomerMirtazapine · active

Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of the mirtazapine merry go round. Yep, you've dicked about with it too much and now paying the price. IMO, pick a dose, as low as you feel you could manage and stick with it till you stabilise. Your gonna feel really shit, but give it time and you'll feel better. Once stable, you can then decide to keep on that dose indefinitely, or very, Very carefully taper down. Good luck, be strong, whatever happens, it's just your brain healing after being yo-yo'd up and down.

Mirtazapine — 0.2mg — 1 year — actively tapering

Cosmic1973Oct 5

WelcomerMirtazapine · active

One last thing, Mirtazapine is stronger and better for anxiety at lower doses not higher doses. I'm a 15st bloke and 1/4 of a tablet easily knocked me out for 9 hours after I took it a while. Even when I tapered to 0.3mg I was still sleeping like a log. It's strong shit.

Mirtazapine — 0.2mg — 1 year — actively tapering

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CatinaOct 5

Community AnchorEffexor

"Thanks to this site I've found the Pharmacist Anita Martin and have booked an appointment with her to help me taper safely." — @Joanne1976

Oh that's great! Let us know how it goes.

Joanne1976Oct 6

Mirtazapine · holding

Thanks @Cosmic1973. I had a terrible day yesterday but seemed to turned a corner and doing a lot better today. I know about the waves so will hold this dose for as long as it takes. I don't suffer with anxiety or depression. I was just put no this for some acute insomnia so do want to come off it but will taper very very slowly. I'm thinking of starting with a 5% reduction with at least a 4 week hold. Have you come off it? Did run into difficulties?

Mirtazapine — 13.5mg — 3 months — holding | without clinician

Cosmic1973Oct 6

WelcomerMirtazapine · active

Hi Joanne, i'm glad you had a better day. You will have crap days too, but when these happen remind yourself that you can and will have better & better days ahead of you. Have i come off it? Did i run into difficulties she asks. Oh yes, read my little post and all will be revealed, But, i'm heading in the righht direction and things are dare i say.........OK'ish...... 🙂 https://taper.community/thread/a-complete-guide-to-tapering-off-mirtazapine---a-letter-to-my-younger-self-1e4917d8-405e-4d99-894a-98f7fbe4b858

Mirtazapine — 0.2mg — 1 year — actively tapering

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