HOME MEDICATIONS PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTS ABOUT US CONTACT

Remeron Withdrawal

If you want to taper off the Remeron and you are not sure where to start, you can click here and read the bestselling book, How to Get Off Psychoactive Drugs Safely or send Jim Harper an email at Jim@theroadback.org and he will guide you through the process of Remeron withdrawal.

Remeron Withdrawal Solution, Side Effects, Treatment Options Remeron Withdrawal Symptoms

If you are experiencing brain zaps, electrical jolts in the head, click here

If your physician referred you to The Road Back and you are not sure which supplements you need for Remeron withdrawal, click here and you will go to a page that has links to the correct supplement package.

If you wish to remain on Remeron but eliminate current Remeron withdrawal side effects, click here.

The majority of people attempting Remeron withdrawal experience an antidepressant withdrawal syndrome. This is also known as Remeron discontinuation syndrome in the United States. In Europe it is call Remeron withdrawal side effects. The F.D.A. estimates 10% of those experiencing Remeron withdrawal will go back up on the Remeron because the withdrawal symptoms are too severe.

The most common and debilitating Remeron withdrawal side effect is called "brain zaps." Brain zaps are described by people experiencing it as a; electrical jolt that tends to run from base of the neck up into their head. Another side effect that tends to run with brain zaps is a shiver, a feeling as your head is floating, dizziness, and/or a whirling sensation in the head.

If you want to read the short version of how to handle Remeron withdrawal side effects Click here. Page opens new browser window.

These symptoms can come in waves or even be persistent.

The good news; in 2002, our founder, Jim Harper, discovered the correct type of Omega 3 taken in the right quantity will eliminate these devastating head symptoms quickly. Usually within a couple of hours.

The body in a normal state uses the oil from our diet, specifically from omega 3 found in fish, to build and replenish the end point of areas in the brain that sends and receives electrical signals. We are using easy to understand terminology here so it is easy to understand. Let's leave the technical jargon to physicians. These brain zaps have nothing to do with serotonin levels or other made up reasons. It is simple really; our body works in a very natural way with how it uses amino acids, proteins, fats in food and all other diet items to maintain a balance. When you introduce any toxin that disrupts these processes the body reacts.

The most common Remeron withdrawal symptoms reported include:

Flu like symptoms

Insomnia

Anxiety

Brain zaps

Tremors

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Increased suicidal ideation

Nausea

Headache

Mania

Hypomania

Ringing in the ears

Aggression

Confusion

Imbalance

Mood swings

Please note: These are the most common Remeron withdrawal side effects but far from all potential Remeron withdrawal side effects. There is a warning the FDA has put a black box warning on Remeron. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients (5.1) Closely monitor for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

You may have been prescribed Remeron within a very short doctor visit. There was no investigation into other life factors, lab testing, or any conversation about what side effects might present. The failings of this approach may cause quite a burden on the patient.

Depression, insomnia, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and other symptoms that Remeron is often prescribed for might stem from; diminished vitamin D levels, over active JNK gene, specific proteins that need to be silenced, dietary concerns and food allergies, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotoxic accumulation, and many other reasons. A full physical from an understanding physician is ideal, before prescribing Remeron.

Do Your Symptoms Require Remeron?

The Road Back Program uses nutritional supplements to help with the Remeron withdrawal. Most people feel a very fast relief from the Remeron withdrawal once they begin taking the supplements and we feel the odds are high; if would have taken nutritional supplements like these before starting the Remeron you would have been prescribed the Remeron in the first place.

In 2007, Jim Harper was giving a speech to a group of psychiatrists in Ireland and during his talk he mentioned his mother just passed away 30 days ago. He went on to describe how he made sure to take his JNK Formula each day to help the body cope with the stress being put on it do to his loss. He went on to say, "The JNK Formula will not remove the emotional loss and how I feel but it will keep the body strong during my time to grieve.

"How Do You Survive Remeron Withdrawal?

Surviving Remeron withdrawal depends on what you do at this very moment. If you keep doing the same thing you have been doing and you are in a heavy Remeron withdrawal, nothing will change for the positive, That is a given. If you decide to do the Remeron withdrawal as an inpatient in a drug rehab center DO NOT DO THE 9 DAY PLAN BECAUSE THAT WHAT INSURANCE ALLOWS. Over the past 22 years I have worked with far to many people who were sold on a rehab facility, stayed the 9 days because insurance would only pay for that amount of time. The unscrupulous facility took them off the Remeron in 9 days as they promised and by the time the person got off the airplane after their return home they were in full withdrawal. You can't do a Remeron withdrawal in 9 days.

The Road Back Program can normally help you get back on your feet again but the rehab facility approach of this type is not worth the price you will pay mentally and physically.

You will find a few other outpatient Remeron withdrawal programs on the internet now and Jim Harper is not aware of one that will cause you harm like the rehab facility's mentioned. However, every other program on the internet was trained by Jim Harper years ago and they are doing what Jim Harper and The Road Back did during that time frame. Almost 2 decades ago Jim Harper trained several physicians and good intentioned people how to get a patient off Remeron. Jim went in to detail of the process and what nutritional supplements were used and why they were used. At that time of The Road Back the success rate was not as high as desired and over the following years Jim changed the formulas used with the supplements several times to use new information with DNA testing. Long story short; you will likely wind up using a Remeron withdrawal approach The Road Back used in 2003, that was scrapped for something more successful. If you are currently in Remeron withdrawal, send Jim Harper an email and he will personally guide you through the process so you can get back on your feet quickly and have a very successful Remeron withdrawal.

It does not matter if you have been on Remeron for 1 month or 20 years. Recovery can happen and the good part is; it does not take more time because you have been taking Remeron for years.When Do Remeron Withdrawal Symptoms Start When Discontinuing / Quitting Remeron?

Remeron withdrawal usually begins between day 1 and day 3 of adjusting the Remeron. For some people this is not the case but eventually most everyone hits some dosage of the Remeron when reducing that jars them. Remeron withdrawal begins and they have no idea what they should do. Their physician does not know what to do. They wind up in a spiral downward and wind up on a new medication to try and stop the Remeron withdrawal. The best case is the additional drug does that but you are now on 2 drugs instead of only Remeron.

What is Remeron?

This SSRI drug is prescribed in treating adult depressive disorders (MDD), panic disorder, obsessive compulsory disorders (OCD), social anxiety (SAD), post- traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). If you have anxiety before taking Remeron, or anxiety begins while taking Remeron, odds are the anxiety will continue to get worse. Remeron alters dopamine much like the antidepressant Remeron and anxiety is a byproduct of these two drugs.

What Is Remeron Used For? Remeron is an antidepressant medication approved to treat adult MDD (major depressive disorder). The Black Box warning on the drug’s packaging mentions that the drug should not be prescribed to anyone under the age of 25, due to heightened risk of suicide. There is an exception to this for patients under the age of 25 who have been diagnosed with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Potential suicidality is associated with all Remeron and may be a concern leading to consider Remeron withdrawal, which is recommended to be done always under medical or caregiver monitoring. Adult-only approved uses for the drug provided in a clinical or treatment setting include: MDD: Major Depressive Disorder PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder PD: Panic disorder SAD: Social anxiety disorder OCD: Obsessive-compulsive disorder PMDD: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Remeron Side Effects

The full list of Remeron side effects is quite staggering. In 2004, Jim Harper used the Freedom of Information Act to get the full list of Remeron side effects. Jim received the information and it is 500 sheets of letter size paper, single space, a number 10 font size, 3 columns per page. In other words, thousands of known potential Remeron side effects were disclosed. Some of the other Remeron and Remeron withdrawal side effects: Serotonin syndrome: A life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical care in a hospital emergency clinic or ICU. Symptoms to watch for include sudden fever, losing consciousness, inability to move or speak, copious sweating, dilated pupils, chills, tremors, convulsions, diarrhea, agitation, restlessness, racing heart, etc. Suicidal thoughts (common) Suicide attempt (common) Hyperkinesis (muscle spasms, movement disorder) Worsened depression Aggression Paranoia (rare) Anxiety Mania (common) Convulsions Unconsciousness Coma Teeth grinding Akathisia (relentless internal restlessness and discomfort marked by repeated motions, pacing, rocking, etc., that can lead to suicidal thoughts as a means of relief) Tachycardia (racing heart, even when the body is at rest) Rash Itching Burning, crawling feeling in the skin Fever Tics, sudden jerky movements, myoclonus Emotional blunting Behavioral apathy, SSRI-induced-indifference Pain on urination or difficulty urinating Cloudy urine Headache Sexual impairments, i.e., anorgasmia, inability to ejaculate, lowered libido Mood swings Pain around the eyes or eye sockets Sleepiness Bladder pain Prickling skin sensation Numbness Sensory disturbances Insomnia Depersonalization (common) Nervousness Nightmares (paranoia) Hostility Nausea Diarrhea Weight gain Some documented Remeron birth defects and injuries include: PPHN or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, a heart and lung condition which can result in respiratory failure, decreased oxygen to the brain, and multiple organ injuries. Congenital Heart Defects connected to Remeron and other SSRIs include ventricular septal defects and atrial septal defects, also referred to as “holes in the heart”, related to heart murmurs, suppressed appetite, breathing difficulties, tiredness, inadequate growth, etc. Increased Risk of Autism has been extensively reported but evidence has not yet been considered conclusive enough for regulatory bodies to ban prescribing to pregnant women. Increased Risk of Clubfoot connected to SSRIs during pregnancy as reported by NIMH, where exposure had the highest increase in clubfoot of all SSRIs. Increased risk of atrial/ventricular defects and craniosynostosis was reported in a Canadian study from 1998 to 2010 and published in the June 2015 issue of the American Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics.

Remeron Withdrawal,

What to Expect If using The Road Back Program

You should expect to feel a lot better within the first couple days of the program. If you do nothing, expect to continue to feel as you do now. Possibly worse as time goes on. The chance of feeling better if you do nothing is nil.

In 1999, The Road Back only had people taper the Remeron gradually and slowly. They still suffered. Around 50% could get off the Remeron but most went back on the Remeron because they continual Remeron withdrawal side effects would not diminish or go away.

We wish there was a better answer for you than the above but with working with over 19 million people over the last 22 years, the truth is the truth. No way to water it down to make it sound better.

Some may think it is just their depression returning but who would not feel depressed if they were still going through Remeron withdrawal months after stopping the Remeron.

We can't stress enough; what you do or do not do at this moment in time is critical for your future. Take your time if at all possible. If you have brain zaps go buy any omega 3 fish oil, even the wrong omega 3 fish oil will help somewhat.

While you read this you may want to pause and go take a walk. Look at the trees, the sky or anything off in the distance. Getting your attention off your mind and body may do wonders.

Keep this close to your heart; There is Hope and There is a Solution. We are speaking directly to YOU.A 30 day supply of the nutritional supplements will cost you around $80. If you feel it is worth $80 to take a chance that all of this can go away in a couple of days, then take that chance. Over the past 22 years many have sent an email to Jim Harper and said they were not sure what to do about the Remeron withdrawal. Even after reading this information. The people that tried something else generally came back within a few months and were in worse shape than before. We do not want this to happen to you. But if is; Jim will still be here to assist.

Can Remeron Make Depression Worse?

Common sense answers this question. If depression is one side effect of taking Remeron then Remeron can cause depression. You do stand a greater chance of Remeron causing depression during withdrawal than while simply taking the Remeron as prescribed. The depression during Remeron withdrawal can be due to the other Remeron withdrawal side effects you are experiencing. Who would not start to get depressed if you have anxiety from morning to night, can't sleep and your head feels like it is on fire.

Remeron Aggression in Children

Children are more prone to aggression when taking Remeron than adults. It occurs in 10-20% of children taking any SSRI antidepressant. Two clinical trials performed by Pfizer, aggression was the most common reason noted for Remeron discontinuation.

Can You Get Addicted to Remeron?

Yes and no. This is where Remeron dependence is a matter of wording. Medically speaking in the United States Remeron is not addicting. In Europe it is viewed as addicting. The bottom line is; Once you take Remeron for 7 days the Remeron has made its way through your body. If your body no longer has the Remeron in its system, your body will react to the Remeron being gone. Much like a person that eats a lot a sweets every day. Your body will react when the sweet substance is not present. Call it addicting, as we would, call it a dependence as United States physicians will, it is what it is. If you do not provide the substance the body reacts and you also have mental feelings that are not positive. We can get into the insulin discussion etc, but we are only talking about a substance being present and then not and the body and mind reacting in a negative manner.

What is the difference between Remeron and a Benzodiazepine?

Remeron is an SSRI medication, an antidepressant, used to treat depression and anxiety. Benzodiazepines are prescribed mainly for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders but also prescribed off-label to treat depression. These two types drug have different chemical components and were designed to work on different brain receptors and neurotransmitters, but some of their effects can be seen to overlap. Benzodiazepines are thought to mainly affect GABA transmission, which can slow the central nervous system to reduce anxiety, while Remeron is designed to block the reuptake of serotonin. Benzodiazepines are known to be more prone to dependence/addiction than Remeron. While the withdrawal symptoms are similar between both drugs, Remeron’s half-life is 22-36 hours, and Benzodiazepines half-life is much lower. Benzodiazepines can have more severe complications if abruptly stopped, including seizures. For safe Benzodiazepine or Remeron withdrawal, either of these drugs must be slowly tapered to allow the central nervous system and neurochemistry to safely normalize. Choosing to withdrawal from the Remeron first or the benzodiazepine first needs to be evaluated. Use Chapter 23, The Science to decide is part of that equation. Depending on the benzodiazepine you may be taking with the Remeron, if you reduce the Remeron first it may make you go into withdrawal on the benzodiazepine, even if you did not reduce the benzodiazepine.

How long does Remeron stay in your system after the last dosage? Our founder, Jim Harper, made great strides with determining this question. Using his DNA testing company in 2004-2005, Jim conducted hundreds of DNA tests to determine how fast or slow medications took to metabolize. In roughly 34 percent of the population the Remeron can take as long as 48 hours to clear the body. In others, as little as 8 hours can occur for the Remeron to clear the body. Depending on other habits you may have, Remeron could clear faster or even take more time than the 48 hours. If you smoke cigarettes and stop smoking while taking Remeron, the Remeron dosage you are taking will decrease by 15%. On the other side of this, if you start smoking while taking Remeron, the Remeron dosage will act as though it is 15% higher than you think it is. This is because cigarettes induce an enzyme used to metabolize Remeron and anything using that same pathway will shoot though much faster. Caffeine restricts that same enzyme, so if you start or stop drinking coffee while taking Remeron you will either go into withdrawal or feel an overdose, even though you have not changed the Remeron dosage. This is why The Road Back Program wants you to not change smoking habits or caffeine habits during the Remeron taper.

Can you overdose on Remeron? Yes, it is definitely possible for Remeron poisoning to occur. A substantial Remeron overdose requires emergency medical intervention to prevent major health problems. This list of Remeron overdose symptoms would be the same as those Remeron side effects listed above, but more severe. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the use of intravenous benzodiazepines is sometimes required during Remeron overdose to prevent seizures. Extra cooling measures must be used to reduce hyperthermia, always under the direction of EMT or other medical staff attending to the patient.

Treatment for Remeron Withdrawal Remeron has become one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants in the US. Of equal importance is that depressive disorders have become one of the most frequently diagnosed conditions. These two facts together underscore two important steps toward improved health:

Providing safe treatment programs for those who have decided on Remeron withdrawal, and offering drug-free options to regain natural mental health without the need for prescription medications.

The Road Back Program was described by Dr. Hyla Cass M.D. in this way: Here's an essential handbook on how to safely and more easily wean yourself (under medical supervision) off the heavily over-prescribed psychotropic medications. I have used the program with my patients and it works!" Hyla Cass M.D. Author of Supplement Your Prescription

Send an email to Jim Harper by using the Contact link on the top of this page or read How to Get Off Psychoactive Drugs Safely by Jim Harper and follow the program for Remeron withdrawal.

Why Jim put his entire book on our website for free is so you can instantly read the material and start this process if you are ready now.

One last thing Jim asked us to provide at the bottom of each page of Remeron descriptions: There is Hope and There is a Solution

1. Tolentino J, Schmidt S DSM 5 Criteria and Depression Severity: Implications for Clinical Practice. Front Psychiatry 2018 Oct [cited 2022 July 27]

2. FDA drug label Remeron (mirtazapine tablets) approved 2007,2009 [cited 2022 July 27]

3. Karsten J, Hagenauw LA, Kamphuis J, Lancel M Low doses of mirtazapine or quetiapine for transient insomnia, a randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial. J. Psychopharmacol 2017 Mar [cited 2022 July 27]

4. Tajti J, Almas J Effects of mirtazapine in patients with chronic tension-type headache [Literature Review]. PubMed, Neuropsychopharmacol Hung [INTERNET] 2011 Jun [cited 2022 July 27]

5. Ringeisen H, Casanueva C, Stambaugh L, Bose J, Hedden S DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality.(2016). 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: (unpublished internal documentation). Substance Abuse and Mental Health ServicesAdministration, Rockville, MD. [INTERNET] [cited 2022 July 27]

6. Mirtazapine (Remeron) Information Sheet. NAMI [online] [cited 2022 July 27]

7. Leonard S, Karlamangla A Dose-dependent Sedating and Stimulating Effects of Mirtazapine. UCLA Healthcare [INTERNET] Vol. 19 2015 [cited 2022 July 27]

8. Abdulkader A, Voronovich Z, Carley J A Review of Therapeutic Uses of Mirtazapine in Psychiatric and Medical Conditions. PMCID 2013 Oct[cited 2022 July 27]

9. Pfeiffer C, LaMola S Zinc and Manganese in the Schizophrenias. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 1st quarter 1999 [cited 2022 July 27]

10. FDA Label Remeron/mirtazapine Revised 2016 [cited 2022 July 27]

11. Benazzi F. Mirtazapine withdrawal symptoms. Can J Psychiatry. 1998 Jun;43(5):525. PMID: 9653542. [cited 2022 July 27]

12. Jilani TN, Gibbons JR, Faizy RM, et al. Mirtazapine. [Updated 2021 Mar 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519059/ [cited 2022 July 27]

13. Watanabe N, Omori IM, Nakagawa A, Cipriani A, Barbui C, McGuire H, Churchill R, Furukawa TA; MANGA (Meta-Analysis of New Generation Antidepressants) Study Group. Safety reporting and adverse-event profile of mirtazapine described in randomized controlled trials in comparison with other classes of antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of adults with depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. CNS Drugs. 2010 Jan;24(1):35-53. doi: 10.2165/11319480-000000000-00000. PMID: 20030418. [cited 2022 July 27]

14. Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL. Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians. Drugs Context. 2015;4:212290. Published 2015 Oct 8. doi:10.7573/dic.212290 [cited 2022 July 27]

15. Berigan T, “Mirtazapine-Associated Withdrawal Symptoms – A Case Report.” Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2001 [cited 2022 July 27]

16. Haddad P. The SSRI discontinuation syndrome. J Psychopharmacol. 1998;12(3):305-13. doi: 10.1177/026988119801200311. PMID: 10958258. [cited 2022 July 27]

17. Jilani TN, Gibbons JR, Faizy RM, et al. Mirtazapine. [Updated 2021 Mar 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519059/ [cited 2022 July 27]

18. Khanna R, Boozalis E, Belzberg M, Zampella JG, Kwatra SG. Mirtazapine for the Treatment of Chronic Pruritus. Medicines (Basel). 2019 Jul 6;6(3):73. doi: 10.3390/medicines6030073. PMID: 31284577; PMCID: PMC6789675. [cited 2022 July 27]

19. Feighner JP. Mechanism of action of antidepressant medications. J Clin Psychiatry. 1999;60 Suppl 4:4-11; discussion 12-3. PMID: 10086478. [cited 2022 July 27]

20. Sato H, Ito C, Tashiro M, Hiraoka K, Shibuya K, Funaki Y, Iwata R, Matsuoka H, Yanai K. Histamine H₁ receptor occupancy by the new-generation antidepressants fluvoxamine and mirtazapine: a positron emission tomography study in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2013 Nov;230(2):227-34. doi: 10.1007/s00213-013-3146-1. Epub 2013 Jun 1. PMID: 23728612. [cited 2022 July 27]

21. Haefely W. Benzodiazepine interactions with GABA receptors. Neurosci Lett. 1984 Jun 29;47(3):201-6. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(84)90514-7. PMID: 6147796. [cited 2022 July 27]

22. Alam A, Voronovich Z, Carley JA. A review of therapeutic uses of mirtazapine in psychiatric and medical conditions. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(5):PCC.13r01525. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01525 [cited 2022 July 27]

23. Grosso G. Nutritional Psychiatry: How Diet Affects Brain through Gut Microbiota. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 14;13(4):1282. doi: 10.3390/nu13041282. PMID: 33919680; PMCID: PMC8070365. [cited 2022 July 27]

24. Orisakwe OE. The role of lead and cadmium in psychiatry. N Am J Med Sci. 2014 Aug;6(8):370-6. doi: 10.4103/1947-2714.139283. PMID: 25210669; PMCID: PMC4158644.[cited 2022 July 27]

25. Attademo L, Bernardini F, Garinella R, Compton MT. Environmental pollution and risk of psychotic disorders: A review of the science to date. Schizophr Res. 2017 Mar;181:55-59. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.10.003. Epub 2016 Oct 6. PMID: 27720315. [cited 2022 July 27]

26. Newbury JB, Stewart R, Fisher HL, Beevers S, Dajnak D, Broadbent M, Pritchard M, Shiode N, Heslin M, Hammoud R, Hotopf M, Hatch SL, Mudway IS, Bakolis I. Association between air pollution exposure and mental health service use among individuals with first presentations of psychotic and mood disorders: retrospective cohort study. Br J Psychiatry. 2021 Dec;219(6):678-685. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2021.119. PMID: 35048872; PMCID: PMC8636613. [cited 2022 July 27]

27. Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. 4, Withdrawal Management. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/ [cited 2022 July 27]