How to come off Mirtazapine successfully?

In this article, we will discuss the best possible way to come off Mirtazapine successfully. We will also discuss some potential risks of abrupt Mirtazapine withdrawal and how these risks can be avoided. 

How to come off Mirtazapine successfully?

The best way to come off Mirtazapine successfully is to gradually taper it off. Although it may take some time for your body to process your emotions and regulate your mood without the presence of this antidepressant, a good taper schedule eventually leads to successful withdrawal (1). 

Let’s take a look at all the important steps which are necessary for safe Mirtazapine withdrawal:

Consult your healthcare provider

The very first step is to consult your doctor. This step is crucial because your doctor has all the important information about your medical history, current health status, and the specific reasons you were prescribed Mirtazapine. 

Your doctor also knows the reason why you wish to stop taking the medication. This knowledge enables them to design the best possible taper schedule to safely get you through the antidepressant withdrawal. 

Tapering schedule

As stated earlier, your doctor will suggest an appropriate taper schedule for safe Mirtazapine withdrawal. This means gradually reducing your Mirtazapine dosage over a period of time. 

Tapering is essential to minimize withdrawal symptoms and ensure a smoother transition off the medication. Mirtazapine works by adjusting certain chemicals in your brain that help regulate your mood (2). 

Over time, your body gets used to this extra help, and your brain starts depending on it to keep things balanced and steady. If you take away the medication too quickly, your body won’t be able to handle this rapid transition too well (2). This is why tapering off antidepressants is of utmost importance. 

Be patient with your progress

It’s important to be patient while you’re trying to wean off Mirtazapine or any other antidepressant. Just like your body takes time to adjust to the medication, it also takes time to adjust to its withdrawal (3). 

You may experience some withdrawal symptoms, even while following your taper schedule properly. However, these symptoms slowly begin to fade away as your body goes back to its normal way of balancing the chemicals in your brain (3). 

If you’re tapering off Mirtazapine to switch to another antidepressant, your doctor may start the new medication from a very low dose to help you with some of the withdrawal symptoms. However, a good taper schedule is enough in some cases to prevent as many withdrawal symptoms as possible.

Consider lifestyle changes

It is also important to consider lifestyle changes to help support your body get through the withdrawal in a better way. When you’re generally healthy, it becomes easier for you to get through drug withdrawals. 

Make sure you eat all the right kinds of foods to provide you with all the essential nutrients your body needs to grow and recover. It is also important to incorporate a good fitness regimen into your routine to stay healthy and fit.

What are the potential risks associated with abrupt Mirtazapine withdrawal?

Abrupt Mirtazapine withdrawal can lead to disturbing side effects, often known as the symptoms associated with Mirtazapine withdrawal syndrome. These symptoms occur when you stop taking the antidepressant too quickly.

Some of the common symptoms of Mirtazapine abrupt withdrawal include: (4,5)

Physical symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Tremors
• Balance difficulties
• Sleep disturbances

Psychological symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Mood lability (emotional ups and downs)
• Confusion
• Panic attacks
• Depersonalization (feeling disconnected from oneself)
• Concentration difficulties

These withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. The dose of Mirtazapine you’ve been taking and how long you’ve been taking it can play a big role. 

People who’ve been on higher doses for a longer time might have a different experience when tapering off compared to those who were on lower doses for a shorter period. 

The higher the dose and the longer you’ve been taking it, the more your body might have gotten used to it, making the adjustment a bit trickier. This is why proper communication with your doctor while you’re coming off Mirtazapine is crucial. 

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the safe and effective ways for coming off Mirtazapine successfully. We have also talked about the potential withdrawal symptoms associated with Mirtazapine discontinuation syndrome – which occurs when you take away the medication too quickly.

References