I've just been prescribed Remeron for depression. Would appreciate any advice from anyone who is familiar with this medication. Thx
I hope that this information helps........
I have seen several patients on this medication and it has helped........but not everyone is the same as you probably well know. If you are not seeing results or have any questions please speak with your MD first.
Remeron is prescribed for the treatment of major depression--that is, a continuous depressed mood that interferes with everyday life. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite and weight, difficulty sleeping, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, constant fidgeting or a slowdown in movement, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking, and suicidal thoughts.
Remeron is thought to work by adjusting the balance of the brain's natural chemical messengers, especially norepinephrine and serotonin.
Remeron makes some people drowsy or less alert, and may affect judgment and thinking. Don't drive or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know whether Remeron has this effect on you.
Remeron may be taken with or without food. It is preferable to take it in the evening before you go to sleep. Even though you may begin to feel better in 1 to 4 weeks, continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed. Regular daily doses are needed for the drug to work properly.
If you are using Remeron SolTabs, an orally disintegrating form of the drug, make sure your hands are dry before removing the tablet from the blister pack and immediately place the tablet on your tongue. Do not attempt to split the tablet; it will fall apart rapidly and can be swallowed with saliva.
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Remeron.
* More common side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams and thinking, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, "flu-like" symptoms, increased appetite, sleepiness, weakness, weight gain
* Less common side effects may include...
Back pain, confusion, difficult or labored breathing, fluid retention, frequent urination, muscle pain, nausea, swelling of ankles or hands, tremors
You should also avoid Remeron if you are taking the antidepressants Nardil or Parnate
Serious, sometimes fatal reactions have been known to occur when drugs such as Remeron are taken in combination with other drugs known as MAO inhibitors, including the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Never take Remeron with one of these drugs or within 14 days of discontinuing therapy with one of them; and allow at least 14 days between stopping Remeron and starting an MAO inhibitor.
If you develop "flu-like" symptoms, a sore throat, chills or fever, mouth sores, or any other signs of infection, call your doctor; these symptoms may signal a serious underlying condition.
Remeron tends to raise cholesterol levels in some people. If you have a cholesterol problem, be sure to mention it to your doctor before starting therapy with Remeron.
Remeron should be used with caution if you have active liver or kidney disease, or heart or blood pressure problems. Also be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, mania (extremely high spirits), hypomania (mild excitability), drug use, or any other physical or emotional problems.
While first taking this medication you may feel dizzy or light-headed, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position. If getting up slowly doesn't help, or if this problem continues, notify your doctor.
If you must avoid phenylalanine, do not use the SolTab form of Remeron, which contains this substance.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Never combine Remeron with an MAO inhibitor; and do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. If Remeron is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Remeron with tranquilizers such as Valium, Xanax, and Ativan.
The usual starting dose is 15 milligrams taken daily before going to sleep. Depending upon your response, your dosage may be increased to as much as 45 milligrams a day.
God Bless, Russell
I have seen several patients on this medication and it has helped........but not everyone is the same as you probably well know. If you are not seeing results or have any questions please speak with your MD first.
Remeron is prescribed for the treatment of major depression--that is, a continuous depressed mood that interferes with everyday life. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite and weight, difficulty sleeping, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, constant fidgeting or a slowdown in movement, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking, and suicidal thoughts.
Remeron is thought to work by adjusting the balance of the brain's natural chemical messengers, especially norepinephrine and serotonin.
Remeron makes some people drowsy or less alert, and may affect judgment and thinking. Don't drive or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know whether Remeron has this effect on you.
Remeron may be taken with or without food. It is preferable to take it in the evening before you go to sleep. Even though you may begin to feel better in 1 to 4 weeks, continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed. Regular daily doses are needed for the drug to work properly.
If you are using Remeron SolTabs, an orally disintegrating form of the drug, make sure your hands are dry before removing the tablet from the blister pack and immediately place the tablet on your tongue. Do not attempt to split the tablet; it will fall apart rapidly and can be swallowed with saliva.
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Remeron.
* More common side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams and thinking, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, "flu-like" symptoms, increased appetite, sleepiness, weakness, weight gain
* Less common side effects may include...
Back pain, confusion, difficult or labored breathing, fluid retention, frequent urination, muscle pain, nausea, swelling of ankles or hands, tremors
You should also avoid Remeron if you are taking the antidepressants Nardil or Parnate
Serious, sometimes fatal reactions have been known to occur when drugs such as Remeron are taken in combination with other drugs known as MAO inhibitors, including the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Never take Remeron with one of these drugs or within 14 days of discontinuing therapy with one of them; and allow at least 14 days between stopping Remeron and starting an MAO inhibitor.
If you develop "flu-like" symptoms, a sore throat, chills or fever, mouth sores, or any other signs of infection, call your doctor; these symptoms may signal a serious underlying condition.
Remeron tends to raise cholesterol levels in some people. If you have a cholesterol problem, be sure to mention it to your doctor before starting therapy with Remeron.
Remeron should be used with caution if you have active liver or kidney disease, or heart or blood pressure problems. Also be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, mania (extremely high spirits), hypomania (mild excitability), drug use, or any other physical or emotional problems.
While first taking this medication you may feel dizzy or light-headed, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position. If getting up slowly doesn't help, or if this problem continues, notify your doctor.
If you must avoid phenylalanine, do not use the SolTab form of Remeron, which contains this substance.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Never combine Remeron with an MAO inhibitor; and do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. If Remeron is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Remeron with tranquilizers such as Valium, Xanax, and Ativan.
The usual starting dose is 15 milligrams taken daily before going to sleep. Depending upon your response, your dosage may be increased to as much as 45 milligrams a day.
God Bless, Russell
Hello,
I just started taking Remeron around a month ago. I take it with another anti derpressant lexapro. I take the Lexapro in the am and the Remeron in the pm. It has been really helping me but I couldn't figure out why my appetite picked up so drastically. Now that I read what Russel said about the side effects I know. I was just talking to a friend last night about how I can't stop eating. I couldn't understand why all of a sudden I've been really binging lately. Now I know. Now I have to reconsider using this medication.
I'll talk with my doctor before stopping it. Thanks for the information on this medication.
Liz
I just started taking Remeron around a month ago. I take it with another anti derpressant lexapro. I take the Lexapro in the am and the Remeron in the pm. It has been really helping me but I couldn't figure out why my appetite picked up so drastically. Now that I read what Russel said about the side effects I know. I was just talking to a friend last night about how I can't stop eating. I couldn't understand why all of a sudden I've been really binging lately. Now I know. Now I have to reconsider using this medication.
I'll talk with my doctor before stopping it. Thanks for the information on this medication.
Liz
Thanks for the reply Russell. I was looking more for info from patients who are taking the med, rather than the kind of drug information available on the internet -like what you posted - but I do thank you for responding. Liz, I have read that it does a job on your appetite but the sexual side effects are supposedly less than other antidepressants....I guess the only way to see if it works for me is to give it a try. I was just wondering if anyone else out there was on it and whether or not it is effective for them.
Thanks !
Thanks !
Is this the one that melts in your mouth? My doctor put me on this drug (I thought) for sleep! Now I read all this. I stopped taking it right away, because I didnt like the way it made me feel. That was over a year ago. I always have wierd side effects with meds!!!! Wish I had such bad side effects with percocets, then I wouldnt be in this predicament!!!
That was great advice, Rus!
Love,
Marie
That was great advice, Rus!
Love,
Marie
I was on Remeron for a little while... I'm bipolar and didn't want to be on Lithium, so my doctor put me on Remeron... all I remember about it was that it made me VERY dizzy and it gave me restless leg syndrome (I'm sure all of you know about that b/c that's also part of withdrawals from pain pills, but at the time I thought it was the weirdest thing).
I quit taking it because of the RLS.
I quit taking it because of the RLS.
I'm very concerned about the sleepiness...doc said first 3 days would be hard for me to get out of bed, so I am going to wait until the weekend to start. I hope it helps.
Hi KL63,
I am taking this medication. I can tell you alot. When I first started taking it I took 7.5mg which was half of what was prescribed. I tell ya I did not want to get out of bed the first 3 days. I felt like I was floating when I walked and I felt like I was dissociated from my body. I called my doc and said hey whatcha trying to do to me? I wanna stop. She said try to stay on it cuz things will get better. Well I hate to admit it but she was right. It was the first time I actually felt like I slept at night in years. So I stuck to it. I don't know about how it affects depression ..... I feel like my old self which wasn't that bad but sometimes moody. I have gained approx. 10 lbs cuz I tell ya I like to eat on it and eat and eat. Soooooo that's my experience on this med. I have been on it approx. 4 months. I like it cuz I sleep. I notice I am more thirsty than normal and drink more water on it. I do not think it affects sex drive like some of the others. I have only been on Welbutrin which I liked but it increased my bld. pressure. The first few days you may not like it but those symptoms for me went away. I did miss a step the 2nd day and flew down a flight so just be careful. I'm curious to see how it makes you feel. Hope you'll write more.
PM
I am taking this medication. I can tell you alot. When I first started taking it I took 7.5mg which was half of what was prescribed. I tell ya I did not want to get out of bed the first 3 days. I felt like I was floating when I walked and I felt like I was dissociated from my body. I called my doc and said hey whatcha trying to do to me? I wanna stop. She said try to stay on it cuz things will get better. Well I hate to admit it but she was right. It was the first time I actually felt like I slept at night in years. So I stuck to it. I don't know about how it affects depression ..... I feel like my old self which wasn't that bad but sometimes moody. I have gained approx. 10 lbs cuz I tell ya I like to eat on it and eat and eat. Soooooo that's my experience on this med. I have been on it approx. 4 months. I like it cuz I sleep. I notice I am more thirsty than normal and drink more water on it. I do not think it affects sex drive like some of the others. I have only been on Welbutrin which I liked but it increased my bld. pressure. The first few days you may not like it but those symptoms for me went away. I did miss a step the 2nd day and flew down a flight so just be careful. I'm curious to see how it makes you feel. Hope you'll write more.
PM
Have taken Remeron the past 4 nights and am sleeping like a baby. No side effects to speak of (no problems with dry mouth or restless legs like the others have mentioned) and am only groggy first thing in the morning if I take it really late at night (after 11 pm). I am, however, awaiting to see an improvement in my depression. Hope it kicks in soon. Thanks for those who posted. The support here is great.
