Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bob on January 15, 2016, at 14:41:11
I've been reading some of Stephen M. Stahl's material lately (Essentials of Psychopharmacology) recently and I've noticed that mirtazapine (Remeron) gets mentioned more than once as a possible augmentation strategy in treatment-resistant depression. I don't really see that med mentioned on this board too frequently so was just wondering if people are using it in the real world these days and if not, why not?Bob
Posted by paulb on January 15, 2016, at 15:15:41
In reply to Mirtazapine/Remeron, posted by Bob on January 15, 2016, at 14:41:11
Mirtazapine may not be mentioned so much because although it is an augmentation strategy and an antidepressant in its own right it may have fallen out of favour a bit because there are better augmentation strategies and i dont think it works as well for some people as an SSRI or MAOI. Hot topics here I have found are Klonopin, Xanax, Parnate, Nardil (ESP), Abilify and Lamotrigine. Abilify has some properties similar to Mirtazapine and is worth a go for depression even though it is an atypical antiphychotic. I take it and at max dose 30mg its great i find. I would also add Mirtazapine has strong antihistamnine properties and will make a person very sleepy.
Posted by SLS on January 15, 2016, at 15:33:02
In reply to Mirtazapine/Remeron, posted by Bob on January 15, 2016, at 14:41:11
>
> I've been reading some of Stephen M. Stahl's material lately (Essentials of Psychopharmacology) recently and I've noticed that mirtazapine (Remeron) gets mentioned more than once as a possible augmentation strategy in treatment-resistant depression. I don't really see that med mentioned on this board too frequently so was just wondering if people are using it in the real world these days and if not, why not?
>
> BobI think the problem with the way Remeron has been utilized is that the dosages prescribed have been woefully inadequate. The dosage range should be 45-90 mg/day. Most doctors don't go over 30 mg/day. So, Remeron has historically looked like a pretty crappy drug.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on January 15, 2016, at 16:45:17
In reply to Re: Mirtazapine/Remeron, posted by SLS on January 15, 2016, at 15:33:02
Remeron can be a very good augmentation strategy. I would consider augmenting with remeron before even touching an antipsychotic.
Yes, remeron can cause heavy sedation, especially in low doses, early in treatment. It is best if taken early in the evening.
Remeron works particularly well with drugs like Effexor, which can offset the sedation caused by remeron.
Linkadge
Posted by Hugh on January 15, 2016, at 17:24:46
In reply to Mirtazapine/Remeron, posted by Bob on January 15, 2016, at 14:41:11
I took it in the late '90s for about six months. It made me feel somewhat less depressed, somewhat less anxious. I would sleep nine hours most nights while on it, wake up feeling groggy, and my head wouldn't clear until the afternoon. It made me ravenously hungry. I gained 20 pounds while on it, in spite of exercising a lot.
Posted by linkadge on January 15, 2016, at 17:44:52
In reply to Re: Mirtazapine/Remeron, posted by Hugh on January 15, 2016, at 17:24:46
As a sole antidepressant, high doses are needed. I advocate doses as low as 1mg simply as an anti-anxiety adjunctive.
At 1mg (taken in the early evening), it can help improve sleep and anxiety, especially if an SSRI is worsening some of these problems.
Linkadge
Posted by rjlockhart37 on January 15, 2016, at 18:07:26
In reply to Re: Mirtazapine/Remeron, posted by linkadge on January 15, 2016, at 17:44:52
California rocket-fuel (remeron/effexor)
medical slang term when they usee it with effexor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_rocket_fuel
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2016, at 22:41:17
In reply to Re: Mirtazapine/Remeron, posted by rjlockhart37 on January 15, 2016, at 18:07:26
Years ago even with benzos didn't make me feel sleepy wonder why? 15mg too. Phillipa
Posted by babbler20 on February 8, 2016, at 15:31:50
In reply to Mirtazapine/Remeron, posted by Bob on January 15, 2016, at 14:41:11
Hi, I was on it for about 6 months for sleep and depression. It didn't help my depression at all, but it did help me sleep really well and helped me gain 60 lbs in 4 months.
This is the end of the thread.
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