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Mirtazapine Alternatives

Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Carol Gillette

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr Samuel Lee MD

Alternatives to medication and addiction, in general, get short shrift in medical school, leaving doctors under-informed about how to apply mirtazapine alternatives correctly to their patients.4 Instead of being considered as a first-line treatment, alternatives to prescription drugs, unfortunately, take a back seat to pharmaceutical offerings.

Prescription drugs may serve a useful purpose in a time of mental crisis. However, alternatives to mirtazapine (Remeron) and other prescription drugs can produce superior results and benefits that are much more conducive to good health over the long term.


Do Your Symptoms Require Mirtazapine?
mirtazapine alternatives
Alternative to Meds has provided expert help on mirtazapine and antidepressant alternatives for more than 15 years in our restful inpatient facility. We have published evidence that has documented our years of success. We investigate and treat root causes, in ways that are much less toxic than prescription drugs. A most common scenario is that a doctor misdiagnoses a patient in haste and possibly ignores medical or other conditions that could have contributed to the person’s original symptoms. Now the person has undiagnosed conditions, combined with incorrect diagnoses and treatment. Rather than solving anything, that’s when the problems can really began to multiply. Let us help undo that tangle and get you back on track.
This video is of a woman who thought her life was over. Barely able to walk, unable to function or take care of herself, unable to work, on benzos and antidepressants … it did look pretty grim. She got off the medications. She regained her ability to walk. She was able to go back to her professional career in a powerful way. This video documents that journey.

Understanding the Workability of Alternatives to Mirtazapine

getting off mirtazapineRoutinely, we address several basic areas we have found most helpful to our clients. As an example, a client may come into our beautiful inpatient residential facility on one or more prescription medications. We assist the client with the beneficial goal of getting off mirtazapine with a holistic detox process, addressing all drugs in their correct sequence, safely, gently, and without lingering side effects. Concurrently, we help the client find the root causes of their unwanted conditions. We use lab testing and other assessments to help our clients transition using effective non-drug-based solutions that can actually resolve (not mask) symptoms. Also, for certain conditions like anxiety and depression, psychosocial therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy can give great relief as an effective mirtazapine alternative treatment.2

Diet is an important fundamental to physical and mental health, including checking for food or other allergies that are causing symptoms. Allergies are often overlooked when tracing back what things may be causing or contributing to psychiatric symptoms.25 Citing one common example, if dust mites from a person’s pillow have been causing restless sleep which then has devolved into symptoms of depression or anxiety, a new pillow would be more effective than a new drug. However, if a doctor diagnoses their patient as an anxiety case with insomnia before testing or investigating for underlying causes, one could find the drugs ineffective and might even introduce new problems. In the case of moderate to severe depression, the poor efficacy has been clearly demonstrated. A study out of Germany showed that on careful analysis, antidepressants improved symptoms in 20 out of 100 patients: thus, antidepressants did not improve symptoms in 80 out of 100 patients.3

Top 10 Alternatives to Remeron (mirtazapine)
  • Counseling, CBT top 10 mirtazapine remeron alternativescan help with finding and resolving the root causes of anxiety or depression. Comparable to or better than drug therapy results.7
  • Relaxation techniques, therapeutic massage, yoga, and music as interventions have long-lasting effects on mood and can be practiced just about anywhere.8
  • Get tested for and correct nutritional deficiencies such as B6 (B6 deficiency is associated with depression and confusion ), B vitamins or iron (both associated with types of anemia), calcium,9 vitamin D.* 10
  • Eliminate stimulants:  caffeine, sugars, MSG, food additives, and flavor enhancers.11,20
  • Modify the diet to include foods and beverages high in antioxidants, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fish oils, and green tea.12
  • Eat fermented foods, and take probiotics for a healthy microbiome; the majority of your serotonin is created in the gut.13
  • Neurotoxin removal using sauna, colon hydrotherapy — cleansing also supports a clean and functioning microbiome.14
  • Start an exercise regimen, and build strength and stamina for improved mood.15
  • Exposure to sunlight and bright light therapy is as effective as drug therapy for depression.16
  • Stay hydrated with clean water – dehydration is linked with depression.17

*A study by Shobeiri et al. published in the January 2017 Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found correcting low-level calcium led to significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and other PMS symptoms.

Non-Toxic Mirtazapine Alternatives

Drug companies are not in the business of selling mirtazapine alternatives. A 2017 review of how sales reps influence physicians with gifts and other interactions, published in the British Medical Journal, found these practices contributed to “irrational prescribing” trends.6 The clear message is to prescribe drugs to as many patients as possible, and for as many reasons as possible. Multiple prescriptions are not at all uncommon in modern practice. One drug may cause side effects, and then other drugs are prescribed to hide/numb those side effects, and on it goes. Every drug potentially causes side effects, that can be so hard to endure, that a patient usually says “yes” when offered a second, third, or fourth drug to counteract compounding negative effects.

At Alternative to Meds Center, we know the difficulties that prescription drugs can cause. Most of the staff here have experienced something similar to your own experience. In fact, the founder created the program because of a passionate urge to help others recover safely, made possible by the efficient and thoughtful use of alternatives to mirtazapine and other antidepressants.1

Additional Antidepressant Alternatives

Mirtazapine is the generic form of the antidepressant sold as Remeron, with sedating effects that make it a frequent off-label choice for those suffering from anxiety-related disorders such as panic attacks and insomnia.19 There are non-pharmacological solutions to these symptoms that may be overlooked in the rush for relief.

Mirtazapine Alternatives for Insomnia

The Nutrients Journal reports that dietary elements can have a significant positive effect on sleep duration and quality. Tryptophan, found in milk, converts to serotonin and then melatonin, the sleep hormone. If you love cherries, you’ll be happy to know these are high in serotonin and melatonin. The naturally sweet and nutty flavor of teff and the mild flavor of quinoa are grains that are excellent sources of tryptophan. Other food choices high in tryptophan include tuna, turkey, nuts, and cheese. Oysters with high Zinc content have also been shown to improve sleep duration and quality.21

Nonpharmacological Treatment for Panic Disorders, Anxiety

holistic treatment for panic anxietyThere are many forms of counseling that fall under the umbrella term “cognitive-behavioral counseling” that can be tailored to address specific symptoms such as panic disorder. A review of CBT by authors Rayburn et al found that this is a recommended first-line therapy effective for panic and anxiety disorders.22

Diet modification may provide another treatment opportunity for relief for persons suffering debilitating symptoms like panic attacks. Sadeghi et al published a review in the Journal of Nutrition and Neuroscience, concluding that following a Mediterranean diet is associated with the absence of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress symptoms.23

Reactions to chemicals one comes in contact with have also been linked to panic attacks, such as neurotoxins in cleaning products, cosmetics, and even processed foods often overlooked as sources of mental health symptoms. Avoiding such chemical exposures could be a highly effective strategy in the quest for natural mental health.24

Physicians Need More Training on Mirtazapine Alternatives

Sadly, med school fails to adequately train doctors in offering alternatives to drugs like mirtazapine (Remeron®). That vacuum has been filled to the brim by an astonishing 55-67% misleading or false advertising claims 18 and aggressive sales reps — who are not, after all, medical practitioners — who actively encourage the practice of automatically prescribing an antidepressant for depression, an anti-anxiety drug for anxiety, and so on. In contrast, Alternative to Meds Center has been teaching and inspiring medical practitioners and the general population to learn about and pay more attention to, and use available non-toxic alternatives to prescription drugs. Every day, we see signs that the trend is finally catching on. We welcome this as hope for the future of valid medicine.

The Center’s Focus:  Alternatives to Mirtazapine and Other Drugs

inpatient holistic addiction treatment sedona drug rehab Alternative to Meds Center created its programs using non-toxic protocols and natural holistic treatments under medical supervision over the last 15 years. One of our goals is to help our clients safely and comfortably wean off prescription medications. Of prime importance, our programs stand on the premise of viewing symptoms as signposts for investigation. Engineers who use this same approach in problem-solving would advise, “treat the problem, not the symptom!” 5 As a result, the protocols we use do successfully resolve the majority of unwanted symptoms.

For a more in-depth review of the many primary and adjunctive treatment protocols available to our clients, we invite you to spend a few moments on our services overview page to become acquainted with the wealth of treatment options at Alternative to Meds Center.

Most often, successful treatment outcomes are accomplished without having to rely on prescription drugs forever, gently tapering off completely, or in some cases, clients accomplish a significantly reduced need for medication. Please contact us directly to find out more about our programs, and how Alternative to Meds Center utilizes natural alternatives to mirtazapine and resolves symptoms safely, gently, and effectively for the natural mental health you seek.

1 (800) 301-3753 for Mirtazapine Alternatives Help

Sources:

1. FDA Label Remeron (Mirtazapine) 2009 [INTERNET] [cited 2020 Mar 7]

2. Antidepressants – Alternatives NHS UK [INTERNET] 2008 Aug 16 [cited 2020 Mar 7]

3. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Depression: How effective are antidepressants? [Updated 2020 Jun 18]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK361016/ [cited 2022 June 17]

4. Karon A, “Medical Schools Respond to the Opioid Epidemic.” ACP Internist [Internet] 2017 Jan [cited 2022 June 17]

5. Lydon, B “Root Cause Analysis – Treat the problem not the symptom!” InTech Magazine [Internet] 2012 April [cited 2020 Nov 3]

6. Fickweiler F, Fickweiler W, Urbach E. Interactions between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry generally and sales representatives specifically and their association with physicians’ attitudes and prescribing habits: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2017 Sep 27;7(9):e016408. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016408. PMID: 28963287; PMCID: PMC5623540. [cited 2022 June 17]

7. Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A. The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses. Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1 [cited 2022 June 17]

8. Klainin-Yobas P, Oo WN, Suzanne Yew PY, Lau Y. Effects of relaxation interventions on depression and anxiety among older adults: a systematic review. Aging Ment Health. 2015;19(12):1043-55. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2014.997191. Epub 2015 Jan 9. PMID: 25574576. [cited 2022 June 17]

9. Shobeiri F, Araste FE, Ebrahimi R, Jenabi E, Nazari M. Effect of calcium on premenstrual syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2017;60(1):100-105. doi:10.5468/ogs.2017.60.1.100 [cited 2022 June 17]

10. Spedding S. Vitamin D and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing studies with and without biological flaws. Nutrients. 2014;6(4):1501-1518. Published 2014 Apr 11. doi:10.3390/nu6041501 [cited 2022 June 17]

11. Onaolapo OJ, Aremu OS, Onaolapo AY. Monosodium glutamate-associated alterations in open field, anxiety-related and conditioned place preference behaviours in mice. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2017 Jul;390(7):677-689. doi: 10.1007/s00210-017-1371-6. Epub 2017 Mar 29. PMID: 28357464. [cited 2022 June 17]

12. Huang Q, Liu H, Suzuki K, Ma S, Liu C. Linking What We Eat to Our Mood: A Review of Diet, Dietary Antioxidants, and Depression. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;8(9):376. Published 2019 Sep 5. doi:10.3390/antiox8090376 [[cited 2022 June 17]

13. Jang HM, Lee KE, Kim DH. The Preventive and Curative Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri NK33 and Bifidobacterium adolescentis NK98 on Immobilization Stress-Induced Anxiety/Depression and Colitis in Mice. Nutrients. 2019 Apr 11;11(4):819. doi: 10.3390/nu11040819. PMID: 30979031; PMCID: PMC6521032. [cited 2022 June 17]

14. Wallace RK. The Microbiome in Health and Disease from the Perspective of Modern Medicine and Ayurveda. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020;56(9):462. Published 2020 Sep 11. doi:10.3390/medicina56090462 [cited 2022 June 17]

15. Belvederi Murri M, Ekkekakis P, Magagnoli M, et al. Physical Exercise in Major Depression: Reducing the Mortality Gap While Improving Clinical Outcomes. Front Psychiatry. 2019;9:762. Published 2019 Jan 10. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00762 [cited 2022 June 17]

16. Golden RN, Gaynes BN, Ekstrom RD, Hamer RM, Jacobsen FM, Suppes T, Wisner KL, Nemeroff CB. The efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of mood disorders: a review and meta-analysis of the evidence. Am J Psychiatry. 2005 Apr;162(4):656-62. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.4.656. PMID: 15800134. [cited 2022 June 17]

17. Haghighatdoost F, Feizi A, Esmaillzadeh A, Rashidi-Pourfard N, Keshteli AH, Roohafza H, Adibi P. Drinking plain water is associated with decreased risk of depression and anxiety in adults: Results from a large cross-sectional study. World J Psychiatry. 2018 Sep 20;8(3):88-96. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v8.i3.88. PMID: 30254979; PMCID: PMC6147771. [cited 2022 June 17]

18. Faerber AE, Kreling DH. Content analysis of false and misleading claims in television advertising for prescription and nonprescription drugs. J Gen Intern Med. 2014;29(1):110-118. doi:10.1007/s11606-013-2604-0 [cited 2022 June 17]

19. Jilani TN, Gibbons JR, Faizy RM, et al. Mirtazapine. [Updated 2021 Aug 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519059/ [cited 2022 June 17]

20. Charney DS, Heninger GR, Jatlow PI. Increased anxiogenic effects of caffeine in panic disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1985 Mar;42(3):233-43. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1985.01790260027003. PMID: 2983630. [cited 2022 June 17]

21. Binks H, E Vincent G, Gupta C, Irwin C, Khalesi S. Effects of Diet on Sleep: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):936. Published 2020 Mar 27. doi:10.3390/nu12040936 [cited 2022 June 17]

22. Rayburn NR, Otto MW. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder: a review of treatment elements, strategies, and outcomes. CNS Spectr. 2003 May;8(5):356-62. doi: 10.1017/s1092852900018617. PMID: 12766691. [cited 2022 June 17]

23. Sadeghi O, Keshteli AH, Afshar H, Esmaillzadeh A, Adibi P. Adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern is inversely associated with depression, anxiety and psychological distress. Nutr Neurosci. 2021 Apr;24(4):248-259. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2019.1620425. Epub 2019 Jun 11. PMID: 31185883. [cited 2022 June 17]

24. Genuis SJ. Toxic causes of mental illness are overlooked. Neurotoxicology. 2008 Nov;29(6):1147-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2008.06.005. Epub 2008 Jun 24. PMID: 18621076. [cited 2022 June 17]

25. Aberle D, Wu SE, Oklu R, Erinjeri J, Deipolyi AR. Association Between Allergies and Psychiatric Disorders in Patients Undergoing Invasive Procedures. Psychosomatics. 2017 Sep-Oct;58(5):490-495. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2017.03.015. Epub 2017 Mar 28. PMID: 28527521. [cited 2022 June 17]

26. Bird JK, Murphy RA, Ciappio ED, McBurney MI, Risk of Deficiency in Multiple Concurrent Micronutrients in Children and Adults in the United States. Nutrients. 2017,9(7)655. Published 2017 Jun 24 [cited 2022 June 17]

Originally Published Mar 7, 2020 by Diane Ridaeus


This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. Samuel Lee

Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente.  He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

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Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.

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