How long does Mirtazapine withdrawal last?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
In this article, we will discuss the approximate duration of Mirtazapine withdrawal. We will discuss some of the common withdrawal symptoms and how one can make this process a little easier. We will also discuss the proper way of discontinuing medications like Mirtazapine.
How long does Mirtazapine withdrawal last?
Mirtazapine withdrawal can last anywhere from several days to a few weeks, and it depends on a variety of factors. The withdrawal duration of any antidepressant varies from person to person (1).
Some people may respond well to it and recover from the withdrawal symptoms earlier as compared to others. There isn’t a standard timeline for Mirtazapine withdrawal (1).
It’s a unique experience for each person based on their specific circumstances and how their body reacts to the medication adjustments. Your doctor will work with you to create a withdrawal plan to make the process as smooth as possible.
What factors can affect the duration of Mirtazapine withdrawal?
There are some factors that can affect the duration of Mirtazapine withdrawal, making this process shorter for some people and longer for others. These include:
Duration of use
The length of time you’ve been taking Mirtazapine plays a crucial role. Short-term users, those who’ve been on the medication for a few months, may experience a shorter withdrawal period.
In contrast, long-term users, who’ve taken it for several years, may find that their brains and bodies have adapted to the medication, leading to a potentially more extended withdrawal phase.
Mirtazapine doses
The dosage of Mirtazapine can significantly impact the withdrawal process. Higher doses can cause more profound changes in brain chemistry.
Therefore, individuals discontinuing from higher doses may face more prolonged and intense withdrawal symptoms, as compared to those on lower doses – who may have a shorter and less severe withdrawal period.
Reasons for discontinuation
The reason for discontinuing Mirtazapine can influence the withdrawal timeline. If you’re switching to a different medication because Mirtazapine is no longer effectively managing your symptoms, your healthcare provider may opt for a gradual tapering approach.
This method can mitigate the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, if you’re stopping due to intolerable side effects, your doctor may need to speed up the withdrawal process, potentially resulting in a shorter duration (2,3).
Individual responses to Mirtazapine discontinuation
Individual responses to medication changes can vary widely. If you’re more sensitive to these changes, your doctor may recommend a slower tapering process, which means staying on a specific dose for a longer time before reducing it further.
Factors such as genetics, metabolic rate, overall health, and unique brain chemistry all contribute to this personal sensitivity. (4)
Tapering plan
The specific tapering plan designed by your healthcare provider can significantly impact the duration of withdrawal. Gradual tapering involves slowly reducing the dose over an extended period. This approach often results in milder and shorter withdrawal symptoms (1).
In contrast, abrupt discontinuation, where the medication is stopped suddenly, can lead to more intense but potentially shorter-lived withdrawal effects.
What are the symptoms associated with Mirtazapine withdrawal?
Mirtazapine withdrawal is associated with the following signs and symptoms: (2,3)
| Physical symptoms | Psychological symptoms |
| Nausea | Anxiety |
| Vomiting | Irritability |
| Diarrhoea | Changes in mood |
| Dizziness | Confusion |
| Headaches | Depersonalization |
| Tremors | Panic attacks |
| Sleep disturbances | Concentration difficulties |
| Balance difficulties | Rebound depression |
These symptoms can vary from person to person, and depend on a number of factors – as discussed in the previous section.
What is the best way to withdraw from Mirtazapine?
The best way to withdraw from Mirtazapine is to closely follow your doctor’s directions. Your doctor will create a plan based on factors like the duration of your use, the dosage you’ve been on, and the reasons for discontinuation.
Typically, the withdrawal process involves a gradual reduction in your Mirtazapine dosage. This gradual tapering allows your doctor to monitor how your body responds to each reduction.
The goal is to reach the lowest possible dose and help your body adjust to that. Once this is achieved, your doctor will guide you through the final step, which is stopping the medication altogether.
This careful approach is designed to come off Mirtazapine successfully. It’s important to remember that Mirtazapine takes time to work and you should not stop it without giving it enough time to work – unless it affects your health significantly.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the approximate duration of Mirtazapine withdrawal. We have also discussed the factors that can affect your withdrawal duration and what side effects are associated with it.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Phelps J. Tapering antidepressants: is 3 months slow enough? Med Hypotheses. 2011 Dec;77(6):1006-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.08.035. Epub 2011 Sep 14. PMID: 21920673. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21920673/
2.-
Spitznogle B, Gerfin F. Pruritus associated with abrupt mirtazapine discontinuation: Single case report. Ment Health Clin. 2019 Nov 27;9(6):401-403. doi: 10.9740/mhc.2019.11.401. PMID: 31824812; PMCID: PMC6881111. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6881111/
3.-
Fauchère PA. Recurrent, persisting panic attacks after sudden discontinuation of mirtazapine treatment: A case report. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2004;8(2):127-9. doi: 10.1080/13651500410006134. PMID: 24926846. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24926846/
4.-
Jilani TN, Gibbons JR, Faizy RM, Saadabadi A. Mirtazapine. 2022 Sep 7. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30085601. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30085601/
Find a supportive therapist who can help with Depression.
Discover the convenience of BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connecting you with licensed and accredited therapists specialized in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Complete the assessment and find your ideal therapist within just 48 hours.
AskYourPharm is user-supported. We may earn a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp’s services after clicking through from this site
