HOME MEDICATIONS PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTS ABOUT US CONTACT
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.
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@theroadbackprogram.com and he will guide you through the
process of Remeron withdrawal.
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]