Stopping Mirtazapine

[djh22]

I'm looking for advice on stopping Mirtazapine please.
I've been on 15mg for 9 days now for anxiety and essential tremor and it's not working for either, it seems to have increased my episodes of Atrial fib so I'm contacting my GP on Monday but would like to start the taper down to 7.5mg tonight so is a 50% taper ok ? any advice would be most welcome.
Many thanks in advance.

[Baggs]

I stopped Mirtazapine 18 months ago. It had helped me some time ago but wasn't working anymore, except to help me sleep. It was a struggle but you haven't been on it long and only a low dose so you should be okay and tapering it is the way to go. I wish you all the best.

Baggs

[panic_down_under]

but would like to start the taper down to 7.5mg tonight so is a 50% taper ok ? any advice would be most welcome.

You probably wouldn't have withdrawal effects if you just stopped taking mirtazapine after only 9 days at the minimum dose. However, if you're more comfortable with a short taper then cool. Psychology is at least as important as pharmacology when stopping meds as an anxious brain can be very adept at delivering our worst nightmares if allowed to ruminate over the 'what ifs'.

Mirtazapine is mostly just a sedating antihistamine, not an antidepressant, so you might get some rebound insomnia for a day or two, but this is by no means a certainty.

[djh22]

Thanks everyone for your kind replies,since my op I've been on Mirt for another week as I had an ECG at the surgery which was within my normal range and my GP persuaded me to give it at least 4 weeks as it takes at least 4 weeks for them to start working, but the side effects have worsened so I will stop taking them.

[panic_down_under]

Have you and your GP discussed an alternative treatment?

[djh22]

[QUOTE=panic_down_under;2113306]Have you and your GP discussed an alternative treatment?[/QUOTE
I'm seeing my GP on Tuesday for some Neuro tests re my tremor he doesn't think it's anxiety related.