Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Are Mental Dysfunction, Constant Sleep, Pressured Sensation In Head Common Side Effects Of Mitrazapine?
I suffer from depression and have been taking 200mg Pristiq per day along with a half a tablet of Xanax morning and night. It seemed to be working very well long-term, but pressures were causing a sense of mild panic more frequently. My doctor reviewed my medication and added mirtazapine. The first time I took a tablet I was floored for 3 days. I slept huge amounts of time and was fairly dysfunctional mentally. After recovering, I chose not to continue with it. Then, 3 days ago, I had run out of xanax and took half a tablet of mirtazapine. Down I went again - slept 20 hrs then have had a pressured sensation in my head and very slow mentally. My heart rate feels slower than usual and I have some odd visual quirks e.g. looking at print on my MacBook, it is like seeing 3D deeply into the screen. This day 3 and I still can t go to work, but I am recovering. I emailed my doctor who responded instantly with total; cessation of the medication. Are these common side effects? Cheers Terry Leslie
Mon, 24 Feb 2014
Hi Terry,
Yes, mirtazapine is well known to cause sedation. In fact, it is a preferred antidepressant in those people with depression who have sleep problems. That is why it is prescribed at the bedtime. But in your case, the sedation was clearly in excess of what is usually expected with this medicine. The heaviness in head and altered mental state are perhaps due to sedation, but I have not come across any other patient with such severe side effects from mirtazapine as yours. Your doctor was right in stopping the drug.
Best wishes.
Yes, mirtazapine is well known to cause sedation. In fact, it is a preferred antidepressant in those people with depression who have sleep problems. That is why it is prescribed at the bedtime. But in your case, the sedation was clearly in excess of what is usually expected with this medicine. The heaviness in head and altered mental state are perhaps due to sedation, but I have not come across any other patient with such severe side effects from mirtazapine as yours. Your doctor was right in stopping the drug.
Best wishes.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Desvenlafaxine
Loading Online Doctors....