Discontinuing Mirtazapine 7.5mg After 2 Weeks
Yes, discontinuing mirtazapine 7.5mg after only 2 weeks should be relatively straightforward with minimal withdrawal risk, though you should still taper rather than stop abruptly.
Why This Should Be Easy
Your situation has several protective factors against significant withdrawal symptoms:
- Very short duration: You've only been on mirtazapine for 2 weeks. Discontinuation syndrome typically occurs after at least 6 weeks of treatment 1, and withdrawal symptoms are more likely with longer duration of therapy 2
- Low dose: 7.5mg is below the typical therapeutic range (15-45mg), which reduces withdrawal risk since higher doses are associated with more severe withdrawal 3
- Brief exposure: Your body has had minimal time to adapt to the medication
The FDA-Recommended Approach
The FDA label explicitly warns about discontinuation syndrome and states: "A gradual reduction in the dosage, rather than an abrupt cessation, is recommended" 4. Reported withdrawal symptoms include dizziness, abnormal dreams, sensory disturbances, agitation, anxiety, fatigue, confusion, headache, tremor, nausea, vomiting, and sweating 4.
Practical Tapering Strategy
Even with your low risk profile, avoid abrupt discontinuation 3. For someone at low risk like you:
- Reduce to 3.75mg (half tablet) for 3-7 days, then stop
- This brief taper minimizes any potential withdrawal while acknowledging your short exposure
- Monitor for any symptoms during and for 1-2 weeks after stopping
If you were at higher risk (longer duration, higher doses, previous withdrawal experiences), much slower tapers over weeks to months would be necessary 2, 3.
What to Watch For
Withdrawal symptoms, if they occur, are typically:
Given your brief 2-week exposure at a subtherapeutic dose, you're unlikely to experience significant symptoms, but remain alert for flu-like symptoms, dizziness, or sleep disturbances in the first week after stopping.