Mirtazapine for sleep: Can mirtazapine help with sleep?

Mirtazapine for sleep
Medically reviewed by Dr. Marsha Dunkely

Key Takeaways

  • Those who suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders may find relief with Mirtazapine, which has demonstrated some improvement in the quality of their sleep.
  • Mirtazapine is primarily known as an antidepressant. However, it helps alleviate sleep problems, promotes relaxation, and improves sleep quality. Mirtazapine may be helpful due to its sedative characteristics.
  • While everyone reacts differently, many report better sleep quality in the first few weeks of taking Mirtazapine.
  • For people who are having trouble sleeping on top of dealing with underlying mood disorders, Mirtazapine is beneficial for both.
  • It is essential to work with a healthcare professional to gradually taper off the medication if necessary when stopping Mirtazapine because stopping it suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Overview

Mirtazapine has received attention for its potential role in treating sleep disorders. This blog post discusses the primary uses of Mirtazapine and the conditions for which it is commonly prescribed. It discusses how Mirtazapine’s sedative properties may improve sleep quality and address common sleep-related issues such as insomnia.

We also discussed potential side effects and considerations when using Mirtazapine. You will better understand how Mirtazapine affects sleep and the importance of consulting a healthcare professional before using it as a sleep aid.

The blog offers valuable information for those considering Mirtazapine for sleep improvement. This includes dosage information, the significance of following prescribed guidelines, and potential lifestyle changes to improve the sleep-wake cycle.

Mirtazapine may help improve your sleep and insomnia. Consult our expert for a prescription refill.

Does Mirtazapine help you sleep?

Yes, in the search for a good solution, many people dealing with sleep disorders often employ the use of medication. An antidepressant with an unusual pharmacological profile, mirtazapine is quickly becoming a formidable rival in the market for sedatives due to the added benefit.

How does Mirtazapine improve sleep?

Mirtazapine, primarily known as an antidepressant, has notable effects on sleep quality and duration by influencing the activity of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like noradrenaline and serotonin. Resultantly, Mirtazapine positively impacts sleep, causing continuous and uninterrupted sleep. Additionally, Mirtazapine contributes to enhanced sleep by increasing the duration of deep sleep, known as slow-wave sleep, associated with vital restorative processes.

Mirtazapine also facilitates faster sleep onset, enabling individuals to spend more time in bed and wake up feeling rested. Mirtazapine also increases melatonin levels, which helps regulate the sleep cycle. Overall, Mirtazapine potentially reduces these interruptions and promotes a more profound and undisturbed sleep pattern.

What is the Mirtazapine dosage for sleep?

The dosage of Mirtazapine typically prescribed for sleep disorders is lower than that for anxiety or depression. When people without depression experience trouble sleeping, they usually take 7.5 or 15 milligrams. The sedative effects are believed to be more assertive at these lower doses, resulting in better and more consistent sleep. Keep taking the medication exactly as your doctor has instructed.

How long does Mirtazapine take to work for sleep?

If you suffer from depression or have trouble sleeping, you might need to take Mirtazapine. In about one to two weeks, you may begin to feel its effects if you use it to improve your sleep quality.

It may take a little longer, typically 4 to 6 weeks before you truly experience the complete effects against counteracting symptoms of depression. Do not rush things, and listen carefully to your doctor’s orders. They can monitor your Mirtazapine progress and make adjustments as needed.

What are the benefits of Mirtazapine as a sleep aid?

Mirtazapine is a helpful sleep aid. You can unwind and get a better night’s rest besides its antidepressant effects. Scientific research has shown that it can prolong and enhance the quality of your sleep.

Mirtazapine has multiple effects, including facilitating faster sleep onset, reducing nighttime awakenings, and increasing the duration of deep sleep. Even after you fall asleep, it keeps you asleep. It may change the sedative hormone melatonin levels and shorten rapid eye movement (REM) sleep duration.

The sedative effects of Mirtazapine typically begin to work within half an hour to an hour after administration. When you start taking it, you may notice an improvement in the quality of your sleep within the first two weeks. Therefore, Mirtazapine may be an option worth considering if you are experiencing difficulties sleeping.

Mirtazapine is an effective sleep aid, but only your healthcare professional can decide whether it is safe to use or not

When should I see a doctor?

It is crucial to contact your doctor if you do not experience an improvement in your symptoms or if they worsen within two to four weeks of beginning to take Mirtazapine. They may decide to adjust your dosage. Contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you have any significant side effects like flu-like symptoms, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, seizures, or extreme muscle stiffness.

Pregnant women taking Mirtazapine should inform their doctors immediately. You might need some dosage adjustments to ensure your treatment is safe. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider you are taking Mirtazapine before surgery or dental work. Make sure to consult your doctor before abruptly stopping the use of Mirtazapine. Especially if you have been taking Mirtazapine for a long time, they may recommend tapering off your dosage over several weeks or more.

Other questions about Mirtazapine

At what time should Mirtazapine be taken at night?

You should take Mirtazapine at least one hour before going to bed, as it has sedative properties. You will usually feel drowsy for 30 minutes to an hour following the dosage.

What will happen if I stop taking it?

Mirtazapine can cause withdrawal symptoms; your doctor may recommend tapering off the dosage gradually to avoid the side effects. Discuss with your doctor before you stop. 

Will Mirtazapine affect my sex life or fertility?

No, Mirtazapine has no effects on fertility in either men or women, according to the available evidence. It may raise your prolactin levels, which can impact your fertility; however, if there is a cause for concern, your healthcare provider can test your prolactin levels and determine its safety for you.

Can I take Mirtazapine with other medications?

No, you should consult your doctor before taking it with other medications. Combining Mirtazapine with certain medications can have adverse side effects. These include Buspirone, Fentanyl, Lithium, and Tryptophan. 

If you are taking Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, you should wait two weeks before beginning Mirtazapine, and you must not take St. John’s wort. Be careful with alcohol consumption and specific foods while taking Mirtazapine, and talk to your doctor before using any herbal remedies or supplements. 

It is essential to inform your doctor about all of your medications, including this antidepressant, so that they can avoid any interactions or side effects. This includes medications for pain, seizures, depression, and antibiotics.

What effects will Mirtazapine have on my body?

The research suggests that mirtazapine may affect different parts of the sleep cycle. It makes the deep sleep last longer and the light sleep last shorter. But you could feel unwelcome side effects like being overly sleepy, hungry, or gaining weight.

Can Mirtazapine impact pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility?

Mirtazapine does not seem to have a significant impact on the development of the fetus when taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. But in sporadic cases, it might make the baby have trouble breathing or give them temporary withdrawal symptoms. The effects of Mirtazapine on fertility in both sexes remain unclear. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or nursing, you must tell your doctor before taking Mirtazapine.

  • Your Doctors Online uses high-quality and trustworthy sources to ensure content accuracy and reliability. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and medical associations to provide up-to-date and evidence-based information to the users.
  • Aslan, S., Isik, E., & Cosar, B. (2002). The effects of mirtazapine on sleep: a placebo controlled, double-blind study in young healthy volunteers. Sleep25(6), 666-668.
  • Dolder CR, Nelson MH, Iler CA. The effects of mirtazapine on sleep in patients with major depressive disorder. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2012 Aug;24(3):215-24. PMID: 22860241.
  • https://proceedings.med.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Dose-Dependent-Sedating-and-Stimulating-Effects-of-Mirtazapine.pdf

Get started today

Talk to online doctors now and get medical advice, online prescriptions, and referrals within minutes. On-demand healthcare services at your fingertips.

talk to online doctor 24/7 free