Tapering off mirtazapine

Posted by ladydi82 @ladydi82, Aug 24, 2025

Hello, I’ve been on mirtazapine since March 2025. I was on 15mg, but as of last night I am on 7.5mg. I want to completely taper off. How long should I stay on 7.5mg by experience before stopping completely? Like I mentioned, I haven’t been on it long. Thanks!

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Profile picture for sl2485 @sl2485

@mitch4444 so essentially at 15mg it’s pretty much just a sleep aid? I was at 30mg until 18th April and doing OK, I then dropped to 15mg and was good at first but last couple of weeks have been hell with anxiety and fatigue. I dropped to 50mg of sertraline back in February so I’m pretty sure it’s not that.

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@sl2485
Yes, it is used for sleep and I’m not sure if it has a small antidepressant effect as well. Your anxiety may be from the change of the medication (s). Sometimes you need to give it more time to settle. Don’t forget all the receptors that are being affected. Mental health medication is never easy. I was on Clomipramine for 30 years and I thought I would try Cipralex. That was a nightmare. The SSRI worked at first then extreme anxiety crept in. I’m back on Clomipramine but is was not easy to get back on after 3 months. Be careful with changes

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Profile picture for sl2485 @sl2485

@mitch4444 so essentially at 15mg it’s pretty much just a sleep aid? I was at 30mg until 18th April and doing OK, I then dropped to 15mg and was good at first but last couple of weeks have been hell with anxiety and fatigue. I dropped to 50mg of sertraline back in February so I’m pretty sure it’s not that.

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@sl2485
Also some medication takes longer to leave your system. Keep trying!

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I’ve been on mirtazapine since January 8. Started on 15 mg for sleep was on that dose for 3 months then dropped to 7.5 for 7 weeks now on 3.75 mg for two weeks.my psychiatrist as of two weeks ago put me on busiprone 10 mg twice day to help with my anxiety and to assist weaning off 3.75 mg. Has anyone just dropped 3.75 after two weeks even after busiprone has not kicked in yet?

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No specific experience but tapering off schedule sounds very reasonable. Good luck.

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I've been taking mirtazapine for 15 years, mostly at a dose of 15 mg. I've finally decided I'm done with the appetite and weight gain issues and want to wean myself off of it. My psychiatrist who originally prescribed it for depression is on leave. I've reduced to 7.5 as of yesterday and would like some guidance on how to proceed with tapering. I know that the length of time I've been taking it makes it more difficult to stop. Thank you to anyone who can advise about this. Thank you!

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Profile picture for soozejb @soozejb

I've been taking mirtazapine for 15 years, mostly at a dose of 15 mg. I've finally decided I'm done with the appetite and weight gain issues and want to wean myself off of it. My psychiatrist who originally prescribed it for depression is on leave. I've reduced to 7.5 as of yesterday and would like some guidance on how to proceed with tapering. I know that the length of time I've been taking it makes it more difficult to stop. Thank you to anyone who can advise about this. Thank you!

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@soozejb I’m not a dr just a patient like you. 10 years is a long time. I’ve been on mirt for 5 months total. First 15 mg for 3 months, 7.5 for 7 weeks and now cut 7.5 to 3.75 now for 4 weeks tomorrow. For you stay on 7.5 until it settles and stabilizes. I can’t tell you how long but most psychiatrists will say just wean as long as you can then stop. You don’t want to stop abruptly! Anxiety will kick in. I’m still on 3.75 mg as my dr put me on busiprone 10 mg twice a day to help come off it. Stay in touch

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Profile picture for visionsofelvis @visionsofelvis

@soozejb I’m not a dr just a patient like you. 10 years is a long time. I’ve been on mirt for 5 months total. First 15 mg for 3 months, 7.5 for 7 weeks and now cut 7.5 to 3.75 now for 4 weeks tomorrow. For you stay on 7.5 until it settles and stabilizes. I can’t tell you how long but most psychiatrists will say just wean as long as you can then stop. You don’t want to stop abruptly! Anxiety will kick in. I’m still on 3.75 mg as my dr put me on busiprone 10 mg twice a day to help come off it. Stay in touch

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@visionsofelvis following because I am in the same situation. I will be interested in what kind of answers you get! Hang in there

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Profile picture for bern7475 @bern7475

@visionsofelvis following because I am in the same situation. I will be interested in what kind of answers you get! Hang in there

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@bern7475 I plan to do 3 more days on 3.75 then stop mirt

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Profile picture for visionsofelvis @visionsofelvis

@bern7475 I plan to do 3 more days on 3.75 then stop mirt

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@visionsofelvis same.. my issues are with the “hangover” I feel every morning until almost noon.. I hate it so, I’m gonna wean myself off asap

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Profile picture for visionsofelvis @visionsofelvis

@soozejb I’m not a dr just a patient like you. 10 years is a long time. I’ve been on mirt for 5 months total. First 15 mg for 3 months, 7.5 for 7 weeks and now cut 7.5 to 3.75 now for 4 weeks tomorrow. For you stay on 7.5 until it settles and stabilizes. I can’t tell you how long but most psychiatrists will say just wean as long as you can then stop. You don’t want to stop abruptly! Anxiety will kick in. I’m still on 3.75 mg as my dr put me on busiprone 10 mg twice a day to help come off it. Stay in touch

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@visionsofelvis

Exactly. Slowly. Ran my basic plan past 2 of my doctor's. Slow has worked quite well so far about
8 months in. A few ugh the last few days might not be related. Dealing with it by adjusting activity output. Glad you added a keep in touch note.
Appreciate your input.

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