Mirtazapine Increase And Immediate Drowsiness/tiredness

[Iyllsa]

My friend today was given an increase in her dosage for Mirtazapine yesterday. She took the increased dosage this morning and immediately she thinks it's starting to affect her by making her "dreamy" and she says it feels uncomfortable.

I suggested that it may be because she already takes Mirtazapine and so increasing it could give immediate results rather than taking a while, but I also told her to speak with her doctor since I don't know medication well.

Does that happen with anyone? If you're already taking a medication for a long time then decided to take a bit more than usual can it have immediate effects?

 

[joeylittle]

If you're already taking a medication for a long time then decided to take a bit more than usual can it have immediate effects?

Yes, definitely. It's an increase - so, as far as the human body is concerned, it is 'new', and it doesn't really matter whether you've been taking it for years or for weeks. Ever titration up can have a specific, immediate 'hit'.

She should, of course, talk with her doctor if she remains uncomfortable for a period of time, or anything feels especially 'off'. But sedation is a very common side effect of that drug.

 

[Iyllsa]

Yes, definitely. It's an increase - so, as far as the human body is concerned, it is 'new', and it...

Earlier today she said she felt like her hands were not hers. I told her that it sounds similar to dissociation since that is what I experience. Right now she's feeling very annoyed and is very sure it is not dissociation because it's not like what I explain to her when I am currently dissociated. So I'm trying to calmly talk to her.

I did suggest to her that if she continues to experience any new symptoms or if the new symptoms last for a certain amount of time or if it becomes too much that she should call her doctor and let them know what's going on.

 

[joeylittle]

I would guess she's feeling the sedation, is all. It should pass after a few days.

 

[Iyllsa]

I would guess she's feeling the sedation, is all. It should pass after a few days.

Okay. Thank you for offering the reassurance.

 

[Fiadh]

The weird thing about Mirtazapine as a medication (get your friend to google) is that it has a more sedative effect at lower doses. It's an odd drug. When you increase it, it starts hitting different receptors, not necessarily the ones that make you tired. And people report feeling less tired on higher doses. At a low dose mirtazapine is known for its sedative effects and should be taken at night, Drs suggestion is then to increase the drug to stop/reduce the sedation and it kind of goes against every other drug I know. So hopefully your friend should be taking the mirtazapine later in the evening/night and the sedation will now lessen at the increased dose

 

[Iyllsa]

The weird thing about Mirtazapine as a medication (get your friend to google) is that it has a more sed...

She only just started today so I'm hoping her body is just kind of freaking out a bit to the change..

She's taken it for a long time, as far as I know. She has sleeping problems due to her ADHD so she was prescribed the medication to help her relax, but the thing is that she also takes a separate pill that is supposed to knock her out(a more "harsh" sedative). So she's taking those two things and is only having a reaction today.

I'm thinking it might also be because of how stressed she's been? I'm just really hoping this will help her.. in a few days she'll start to feel a bit better.. I hate having to watch from the sidelines and trust that the professionals know what they're doing.


That is an interesting effect though. I will mention this to her later on. She's finally fallen asleep so I won't have to worry about it until next morning. Thanks for the replies, it really helps.

 

[Iyllsa]

My friend is now feeling a lot better, according to her. I'm so happy for her and I feel like it's such a relief to know that she's not feeling terrible anymore. It's also after her period so that probably helps even more.