Should I discontinue Mirtazapine due to a rapid heartbeat?
Two weeks ago, my physician prescribed me 15mg of Mirtazapine, which has significantly improved my insomnia. However, I’ve observed a concerning increase in my heart rate, which has risen approximately 20 beats per minute. My current resting heart rate fluctuates between 88 and 95 bpm, whereas it used to be considerably lower. I’m questioning if I should cease the use of this medication. Might the beta blocker I’m on have become ineffective? I have a condition known as inappropriate sinus tachycardia, which I manage effectively with bisoprolol at a dose of 2.5mg. Is this heart rate elevation a typical reaction to Mirtazapine? I’m a 33-year-old female.
Answers (1)
12/13/2025, 7:10:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about a rapid heartbeat, especially after starting a new medication like Mirtazapine. While increased heart rate can occur with this medication, it’s important to assess your specific situation and take careful steps.
Explanation:
Mirtazapine is an antidepressant that can impact various bodily functions, including heart rate. Some individuals may experience an elevation in heart rate, particularly if they have underlying conditions such as inappropriate sinus tachycardia. It’s also worth noting that medications like beta blockers, including bisoprolol, can sometimes lose effectiveness over time or may react in unexpected ways when paired with other medications.
Given your report of an increased resting heart rate and considering your existing condition, it's very important to approach this situation thoughtfully.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Heart Rate: Keep a daily log of your heart rate at rest, noting any correlations with dosages of Mirtazapine and bisoprolol. This will help you identify any patterns or correlations.
-
Assess Symptoms: Pay attention to any additional symptoms you may experience, such as dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain, and note these in your log as well.
-
Contact Your Physician: Before making any changes to your medication, reach out to your healthcare provider. Share your observations about the increased heart rate and discuss your concerns. They may consider adjusting your beta blocker dose, switching medications, or exploring further evaluation of your heart rate.
-
Avoid Stimulants: In the meantime, reduce or eliminate caffeine and other stimulants to see if it helps lower your heart rate.
-
Relaxation Techniques: Consider incorporating relaxation strategies such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness practices to help manage your heart rate and anxiety.
It's essential to prioritize communication with your physician regarding any medication adjustments. Taking these steps can help you navigate your concerns while ensuring safe and effective management of your insomnia and heart health.
Related Questions
Am I Anemic After All These Years?
As I lay on my couch catching up on an episode of The Strain—a show I genuinely enjoy—I find myself indulging in a peculiar habit of chewing ice. It's something I've found oddly satisfying for as long as I can remember. Suddenly, a thought strikes me: "Is this a common habit? I should probably check with the experts online." Without delay, I turn to Google, typing in: "I love chewing ice. Is anyone else like this?" What I find is intriguing. Ignoring the oddities of certain forums, many reputable sources agree that the act of chewing ice may indicate anemia. This discovery prompts some serious self-reflection. Could it be that I am anemic? I begin to consider the clues—years of consistent fatigue, which seems to worsen with age. There are mornings when I feel so drained that leaving my bed feels impossible. Not to mention the persistent brain fog. In my middle school days, I even had this strange urge to chew on pencil lead, and I recall once sampling clay from the walls of our old gymnasium. I’ve decided to get a blood test done with my doctor at work. In the meantime, I’m reaching out to you all—am I just an eccentric person with quirky cravings, or could I have been grappling with anemia, or at least iron deficiency, since my childhood? Best wishes.
Seeking Medical Insight on My Husband's Adderall Use and Behavioral Changes
I’m reaching out regarding my husband, who is 32 years old, stands 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs around 235 pounds. Approximately two years ago, he was diagnosed with ADHD and subsequently prescribed medication. His current regimen includes: - Adderall XR at a dosage of 30 mg in the morning, taken twice. - Adderall at 20 mg in the afternoon, also taken twice. This amounts to a daily total of 100 mg of Adderall. While I am not a medical professional, my research indicates that this could be an excessive dosage. When I confront him about my concerns, he often mentions that children might receive similar amounts and insists that his doctor has sanctioned his treatment plan. Since he began this medication, I have observed several concerning changes: - A marked emotional detachment from both me and our children. Although he communicates with them, he no longer engages fully in family life. - An increase in anger and irritability, which seems to have intensified with the medication. - He appears to have delusions or irrational beliefs that he seems to act upon. - A decline in personal grooming and self-care; he hasn’t gotten a haircut in over a year, giving him an untidy appearance. - He frequently links his anger and issues back to me, despite these problems becoming more noticeable as his medication dosage increased. Additionally, he has been experiencing erectile dysfunction for the last two years, which I suspect could be connected to the medication, although he attributes this issue to me. I am genuinely concerned about his mental health and overall well-being. **I have several important questions:** 1. Is this dosage considered unusually high for someone of his age and weight? 2. Can Adderall at this dosage lead to symptoms such as emotional detachment, hostility, delusions, neglect of personal hygiene, and sexual dysfunction? 3. Are these behavioral changes likely to stem from the medication rather than being inherent personality traits? I would deeply appreciate any insights from healthcare professionals. Am I possibly overreacting, or could these issues genuinely relate to his medication regimen? Thank you for your assistance.
Elevated Free Testosterone and Mood Fluctuations
At 19 years of age, standing 5'11" and weighing 192 lbs, I lead a lifestyle free from smoking and alcohol consumption. Currently, I am not on any medications and have no known health concerns. Recently, I underwent a blood test, prompted by my ongoing struggles with mood swings, to investigate the possibility that these fluctuations might be linked to my testosterone levels. The results revealed a total testosterone reading of 5.25, which falls within the normal range of 2.8 to 8. However, my free testosterone level was significantly elevated at 35, where the normal range is typically from 3.6 to 25. This finding raises questions about whether it could be causing my mood-related issues.
Seeking Better Communication with My Doctor: A Call for Understanding
Hello everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I’m a 35-year-old man, standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 14.5 stone. Currently, I’m on Espranor, which is a UK brand of buprenorphine. I have remained smoke-free for over eight years and do not consume alcohol or use illicit substances. For some time now, I've been grappling with General Anxiety Disorder, which I consider to be quite severe, as well as Tourette's Syndrome, albeit in a non-verbal form. I believe my anxiety has escalated into Agoraphobia, but my doctor does not share this view. Sadly, I've been confined to my home for almost three years, venturing out only when I consume a few strong drinks. This is particularly concerning for me, as I’m a recovering addict, celebrating 17 months of sobriety yet still engaged in a heroin maintenance program with Espranor. My appointments with CGL occur via video, and I always keep my camera off after verifying my identity. Social interactions are incredibly challenging for me due to the intense anxiety I experience around other people, even family members. Living with my parents, I find myself mostly isolated in my bedroom. This lifestyle has left me feeling profoundly lonely, paranoid, and utterly exhausted with how things are going. Over the years, my doctor has prescribed an array of SSRIs, SNRIs, and Lorazepam, which I first took at 19 and am now reconsidering at 36. I have also been in therapy for more than a year, striving to improve. What I truly desire is to reclaim my life—to return to university, re-enter the workforce, reconnect with friends from whom I’ve been disconnected for years, and support my family. I yearn for the ability to leave my room, let alone my house. What frustrates me is that my doctor’s go-to solution is to prescribe more SSRIs, despite my consistent feedback about the adverse effects they have on me: they often aggravate my condition, lead to depression, instigate suicidal thoughts (which I don’t have when I'm off these medications), and I once even found myself in a dangerous situation, stepping into traffic and getting hit by a car, while under their influence. I’m reaching out for advice—how can I effectively communicate my needs to my doctor? Is there an alternative treatment available that might work for me? I’m just so tired of this exhausting existence, battling anxiety around the clock, struggling to find restful sleep, and feeling like nothing more than an empty vessel. Thank you for taking the time to read my message, and I apologize for its length.
Could My Experiences Be Related to Mental Health or Metabolism?
As a 17-year-old female, I recently encountered a puzzling situation. Approximately three weeks ago, I experimented with marijuana for the first time, consuming a modest amount of 0.5 grams while under the influence of alcohol. This experience left me quite unsettled. Although the high only lasted about two and a half days—likely due to my sluggish metabolism—I felt an unusual sensation for nearly a week. It was as though I was observing myself from a distance, resulting in a peculiar delay in my coordination when I moved, which was disconcerting yet not alarming. Since that episode, I’ve returned to normalcy. However, for the past three weeks, I had been supplementing with 0.5 mg of Potassium Iodine to help manage my slow metabolism—even though it wasn't prescribed. A week prior, I ceased taking these supplements, but just three days ago, following an intense workout at the gym, I began to experience that strange detached feeling once more. While this sensation is diminishing, I am baffled as to why it resurfaced despite my avoidance of marijuana since that first incident. I suspect that it might be a form of dissociation, possibly triggered by both the intense anxiety from the initial experience with marijuana and the physical exhaustion after exercising, though I cannot say for certain. (As an additional note for perspective, I weigh around 12 stones and stand 5 feet 2 inches tall, should this be relevant.)