Increasing Mirtazapine (Remeron) from 7.5 mg to 15 mg
Yes, you can safely increase your Remeron (mirtazapine) dose from 7.5 mg to 15 mg in one day, as this is consistent with standard dosing guidelines for this medication. 1
Dosing Guidelines for Mirtazapine
According to clinical guidelines, mirtazapine (Remeron) has the following dosing parameters:
- Initial dosage: 7.5 mg at bedtime
- Standard therapeutic dosage: 15-30 mg at bedtime 1
- Maximum dosage: 45 mg at bedtime
The guidelines specifically state that mirtazapine is "potent and well tolerated" and is typically used to promote sleep, appetite, and weight gain 1.
Dose Adjustment Process
When adjusting antidepressant doses, the general rule is to increase using increments of the initial dose every 5-7 days until therapeutic benefits or significant side effects become apparent 1. In the case of mirtazapine:
- The increase from 7.5 mg to 15 mg is considered a standard dosage adjustment
- This single-step increase is within the safe dosing parameters
- 15 mg is actually considered the standard starting dose for many patients
What to Expect After Increasing the Dose
When increasing to 15 mg, you may notice:
- Enhanced antidepressant effects
- Possibly less sedation (interestingly, sedation can be more pronounced at lower doses like 7.5 mg due to mirtazapine's antihistamine properties) 2, 3
- Continued positive effects on sleep and appetite
Potential Side Effects
Common side effects of mirtazapine that may occur or change with dose increase:
- Drowsiness (23% vs 14% with placebo) 4
- Dry mouth (25% vs 16% with placebo) 4
- Increased appetite (11% vs 2% with placebo) 4
- Weight gain (10% vs 1% with placebo) 4
Important Considerations
- Take mirtazapine at bedtime to minimize daytime sedation 1
- A full therapeutic trial requires at least 4-8 weeks 1
- If you experience any concerning side effects after increasing the dose, contact your healthcare provider
- The medication has a half-life of 20-40 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing 2, 5
Special Populations
If you have hepatic or renal insufficiency, careful dosage titration and close monitoring for adverse events is recommended 4. However, for most patients, the increase from 7.5 mg to 15 mg is well within standard practice guidelines.
In summary, increasing mirtazapine from 7.5 mg to 15 mg in one day is appropriate according to established guidelines and is consistent with the medication's pharmacological profile.