Advice on Mirtazapine — Can I Start Weaning Off Them by Breaking Them in Half?

[Nicola8478]

I've been taking Mirtazapine 30mg for about 3 and a half weeks. I'm not keen and I have very bad sound reactive Tinnitus and Hyperacusis. Life has been pure hell of late and I think I need to try the no more drugs route.

Is it safe to begin breaking them in half now to start weaning off them? Has anyone done this or should I speak to a doctor?

Thanks in advance.

 

[glynis]

I would talk with your doctor first about how you feel as you might still need support for sleep,depression or anxiety .
Have a chat and see what he or she can do to support you .
Love glynis x

 

[Nanny chocolate]

Be very careful about weaning off. They look like an innocuous pill but they are very powerful. I would suggest that you speak to your medical advisor for help in how to wean off, if that is appropriate.
Hope it goes well for you.
Eve
@Nicola8478

 

[Nicola8478]

I'll do that thank you x

 

[Nicola8478]

Was also on Lorazepam too for three weeks which the doctor is now stopping because it's additive. Great, what a mess

 

[Samantha R]

@Nicola8478
It's not a mess. It's only been 3 weeks.
You would have more issues with Lorazepam if you'd been on them long term.
I think the maximum you would want to use Lorazepam regularly (or any benzodiazepine) is around 4-6 weeks.
As for Mirtazapine, I was on 30mg at the onset of my tinnitus. I did not consult my doctor, but I weaned myself.
I took benzos on and off in the first couple of months of my tinnitus.
I recommend you consult you doctor, but with Mirtazapine, I first cut in half to 15mg (this dose is more effective for sleep which is what I was using it for). I stayed at 15 mg for a few months as it was working for sleep. When I felt ready, I cut down to 7.5mg, and then a few weeks later to 3.25 mg and I'm now off it.
My sleep hasn't been as good since coming off. I am able to go to sleep, but I wake up after about 3 hours. I'm using a natural supplement at the moment, and it's helping as well as me trying to relax myself.
Other than the change in sleep, I haven't noticed any adverse effects.
In fact, my tinnitus seems less noticeable.
Every now and then I use a benzo, but that's it.

 

[Nicola8478]

Thank you for the advise. I appreciate it x

 

[bob bauer]

Samantha that is a fast taper. I'm tapering mirtazapine at 5% a month?

 

[Nicola8478]

What's 5% a month?

 

[Alex Prime]

Surprised that it does not help you, I like it a lot. Talk to your doctor, maybe one day you take one, another half... I did it like that, but still take half.

 

[Helheim]

I've weaned myself off by doing just that - halving the dose each week. It might interfere with your sleep but it'll sort itself out. Good luck, mirt is one hell of a drug.