Mirtazapine and weight gain, is this possible?

Question

I have been put on Mirtazapine 30 mg and have gained a stone and a half in 4 weeks, my stomach is protruding and hard, I eat a healthy diet with lots of fibre,fruit and veg. Is it possible that the Mirtazapine can cause such a serious weight gain in such a short period of time? I know it says side effect is weight gain but this is ridiculous? Only sensible answers please

Rachel G, to true it is upsetting to be slim and almost over night fat, it adds to the depression.

Answer 1

Get of it and rapidly. I was put on this for depression and anxiety problems. EXACTLY the same thing happened i went from 10 stone to 12 stone 7 in 3-4 months. Please e mail me and i will send you a before and after picture. [e-mail]. GET OF IT NOW. Doctor put me back on Sertraline. I lost 2 stone but its taking its time to come off!!. Very upsetting because I was always so slim, nearly there again.
Email me, i will show you the pic's, I got suicidal over it, went for every test you could go for, inside and out, can't have any more babies, new i wasnt pregnant, I was in a proper desperate state over it. Throw them away please. There nasty. Let me know how it goes as i say e mail me. xx

Answer 2

Some people do report that they've gained weight on Mirtazapine, though a stone and a half in four weeks does seem rather a lot...

You should speak to the prescribing doctor and see what they say. Your stomach could be this way because of other things - you should go to your regular doctor and get a check up.

If it turns out that the anti depressant is causing all this weight gain, you can ask your doctor to switch you to another medication.

Answer 3

It's probably the medication. Weight loss is uncommon with Remeron (mirtazapine), because in most people Remeron acts as an appetite stimulant and actually makes them want to eat more, but that's clearly not always the case. Sometimes the opposite happens, and people lose weight while on the medication. Since the weight loss started when you started taking the medication and nothing else has changed (no dietary or exercise changes), then I think it's safe to assume the medicine is responsible for the weight loss. Uncommon, yes, but it happens.

Answer 4

I have taken mirtazipine for 7years and I only gained about 4 pounds a year.I have seen dramatic weight gain in others though,to the extent they had to stop or change medacations. Everyone reacts differently to medication and you always need to consider the benefit versus side effects.I suggest you see your doctor about changing this medication to something that does not cause this promblem. The side effects are not worth the benefit.

Answer 5

shona was on a variety of drugs over a 4 year period and gained over 7 stones!
the worst was a two/half gain in 3 months I cant remember the pills tho
suggest you try www.jandefrieshealth.co.uk for help and info she has not looked back and has lost 6 stones since xmas and no drugs!
she was always v slim @ 5'7" - she was being 'treated for anxiety'!
the pills made her worse. if yyou can try the alternative methods - it has helped her lots - she will e mail u if you want more info.

Answer 6

There is a 5% incidence of Increased appetite and weight gain in patients taking mirtazapine. Additionally patients with depression tend to loose both appetite and weight, so improvement in mental state can also add to increased appetite.

Answer 7

As medication effects the liver with a lethal potential. Go see your doctor about the weight gain, etc. Sounds like you have another major medical problem besides hypertension.

Answer 8

i`ve been on it two years , just been taken off it , put on 5 stone, didn`t realise it was pills till a friend started on them and put on a stone in 3 weeks

Answer 9

I have just been given these as well but the doctor who prescribed them to may didnt mention weight gain. he mentioned increased appetite though. i would go see your docotr

Answer 10

not sure but go back to your GP seek advice