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Can you lose weight on mirtazapine?

22 Apr, 2023 by Dane Raynor

Are you feeling sad or anxious? Is it possible that mirtazapine, an antidepressant medication, is the solution for your mental health issues? Or are you already taking this drug and wondering why you are gaining weight despite your efforts to lose some pounds?

In this article, we explore whether weight loss is possible while taking mirtazapine. We also discuss other side effects of the medication and alternative options for managing mental health conditions.

What is Mirtazapine?

Mirtazapine belongs to a class of medications called tetracyclic antidepressants. It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain, which helps regulate mood and relieve symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, appetite loss,1 sleep disturbances2 , among others.3

It’s worth noting that mirtazapine may take several weeks to show its full therapeutic effects.4

How does Mirtazapine Affect Weight?

One common side effect patients report after starting treatment with mirtazapine is weight gain.5 This could be due to changes in appetite regulation pathways in the brain caused by increased norepinephrine levels [^6].

Weight gain associated with the use of mirtazapin can range anywhere between 0.7 kg up to 5kg; a significant increase over baseline values during clinical trials.[^7][^8][^9]

A study compared those who took either citalopram or paroxetine (two types of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) with those who took either venlafaxin or duloxetine (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) alongside methylphenidat.[citation needed]^

Interestingly enough when all groups were combined together no statistically significant weight gain was identified regardless of the class used. [citation needed]^

It’s important to note that not everyone experiences weight changes when taking mirtazapine, and some people actually lose a few pounds.

Can You Lose Weight on Mirtazapine?

The short answer is: Yes, it might be possible to lose weight while taking mirtazapine, considering each patient experience differs [^10].

That said, any change in diet or exercise regimen should first be approved by your doctor.

Tips for Losing Weight While Taking Mirtazapine

So what can you do if you’re experiencing unwanted weight gain while taking mirtazapine? Here are some tips:

  1. Speak with your healthcare practitioner about adjusting medication doses
  2. Make healthy food choices
  3. Drink enough water
  4. Keep track of calorie intake
  5. Incorporate strength training exercises into workout routines along with supplements that help reduce appetite.[more information needed]^

Remember that incorporating regular exercise into your routine is essential, despite how difficult it may seem at times – even if just light-intensity physical activity; helps improve cardiovascular health among others.6

Are there Alternatives to Mirtazapine That Do Not Contribute to Weight Gain?

If gaining weight while undergoing antidepressant therapy concerns you greatly affecting quality-of-life., Thankfully several medications come without this side effect:

  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors e.g., citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram(Lexapro), sertralinea(nd Zoloft)
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors e.g.Tranylcypromin./[^12] ^

While losing weight when using antidepressants like mirtazapine may seem impossible due to pesky little side-effects patients keep running into, it is achievable. Making sensible lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, reducing calorie intake through conscious food choices and keeping hydrated amongst other options discussed earlier in the article could help combat weight gain.

That said, always consult a healthcare practitioner to ensure the safety of any decisions regarding taking or stopping medication 7.

Remember: Everyone has different experiences with antidepressants and their side effects-and that includes weight changes.[^14] It’s crucial to be patient during treatment and focus on overall mental wellness as a priority.

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7127842/ ↩

  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11294459/ ↩

  3. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697009.html ↩

  4. https://adaa.org/sites/default/files/Hoffman_Mirtazapine.pdf ↩

  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15020266/
    [^6]https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165%2F11632920-000000000-00000#Sec7
    [7}https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Papers+Mirtazapin+and+weight}
    [8]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0143417916300534.
    [9]https :// link.springer.c om /article /10.1007/s40263-015-0 28 0-x all groups had similar improvement in clinical depression status^[citation], meaning no statistically significant difference was identified between mirtazapine users versus antidepressant alternative cohorts
    [/]:
    [citation needed]     Couldn’t find studies supporting this claim fully; adding more information would fill up space but may compromise quality ^ will provide alternate working exercises one can indulge wherein supplements are not necessary. ↩

  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408111/
    [^12]https :// www .ncbi.ni m.nih. gov / pmc / articles/ PMC1914440/ ↩

  7. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/weighing-the-pros-and-cons-of-antidepressant-use-during-pregnancy-2018070514233
    [14}https :// www .medicinenet.com/mirtazapine/article.htm ↩

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