mirtazapine weight gain

Hi Nelliemac I have experienced weight gain too and I am only taking 15mg with other meds. I do not think that it will make any difference to your weight if you decrease your dose plus you could make yourself ill again. I have been taking mirtazapine since September last year and am feeling a lot better. I have also put on a stone in weight. My doctors have suggested healthy eating and exercise. I have tried weight watchers but with little success but I may try again. Please do not stop taking your meds without your doctors advice. My weight has plateaued which is a good thing. If you think you are very overweight ask your doctor whether you can see a dietician. Best wishes Pooh bear.

Hi Nelliemac

Like Pooh Bear, my weight gain did plateau eventually (I've been on it for a year and a half or so). However, i'm finding it impossible to lose the 19lb i put on despite a lot of exercise and following weight watchers. I can't even lose 1lb at the moment, it's really frustrating and i have no idea why it won't shift.

I'm on 45mg and didn't notice that my weight gain was any more significant at any dosage.

The weight gain is really getting me down but the mirtazapine has pretty much given me my life back. I was talking to my husband about changing it and he reminded me just how bad i was before and it helped put things into perspective.

I agree with Pooh Bear about going to talk to your pysch/doc about the weight gain, i'm going in later this week to see if they can suggest anything re losing the weight. I was on meds for 10 years before i found one that works as well as mirtazapine so if you've found something that works for you, it might be worth putting up with a bit of weight gain, although i totally understand that you don't want to keep putting it on at the current rate.

Let me know how you get on. x

Thanks Pooh bear and mepoppy for your replies regarding mirtazapine and weight gain. I had a meeting today with my Psychiatrist and told him of my feelings towards mirtazipine. As I have been frightened that I may be having an eating dissorder whilst beng on the drug. I have been binge eating ad making myself sick due to my weight problem. After much discussion and a very good Psy who was understanding he has decided to take me off mirtazapine in a week and put me on Fluoxitine and see how I get on. So fingers crossed. I had to discuss this problem because it was becoming such an issue with me and my mind is in the best its been for a while, but the thought of an eating disorder I could not handle.

You sound like you have a very understanding psych - a bit better than the pysch who first changed me over to mirtz (i had a major ED for 9 years so you'd have thought they'd keep me away from meds are known to cause weight gain wouldn't you?! mind you, it really works for me re stabilising my mood so i shouldn't complain too much). As you'd started binging and purging i reckon you def did the right thing to change, things can quickly spiral out of control if you start that. I've found myself worrying about food 24/7and exercising like a maniac trying to lose the weight i gained and it's horrible, wouldn't wish it on anyone.Good luck with the new med, let me know how you get on with it.