Question:
Alternatives to Remeron

Hi. I have been approved by insurance for open roux-en-y and meet with my surgeon next week. My question concerns Remeron. Last summer I was hospitalized for depression and my psychiatrist prescribed Remeron for sleep. I sleep great now but have gained about 35 lbs in the last 5 months. I also take a low dose of Prozac (20mg) and 15 mg of Buspar. Can anyone suggest another good sedating anti-depressant that doesn't have the side effect of increased appetite? I need to get this resolved before having the surgery. Many thanks.    — Nancy C. (posted on February 15, 2001)

February 15, 2001
I cant believe a physician would put an obese person on remeron!!!!! I am a former Director of Nurses from a Long term care facility and have only seen Remeron used on elderly who have lost their appetite. It usually worked to stimulate this. I would suggest trazadone, norpramine or one of those type of antidepressants. If your only wanting the calming effect ask for a antianxiety drug or something. Prozac should help your depression. You really shouldnt take more than one type of antidepressant. Always a doctors choice though. But my personal thought on the matter is you should not take any more medications than you have to.
   — kcraig

February 15, 2001
My psychiatrist prescribed trazodone (Brand name is Desyrel)to help me sleep. It is an atypical antidepressant and it is great. I currently take 40 mg of Celexa for depression and 50 mg of trazodone to help me sleep. Increased appetite is not one of the listed side affects. I find that 50 mg is plenty enough to make me sleepy on all but the roughest of nights. It is not addicting and is safe to take nightly, which I do. Hope this helps! PS--according to what I have read, after this surgery we may find ourselves needing less (or none) of our anti-depressants.
   — Sharon N.

April 13, 2003
I was on Remeron for 3 1/2 years pre-op, then was switched to Seroquel (it's also a mood stabilizer) for sleep, which works wonders. I have taken Ambien, Sonata Sleep and Lorezepam as a substitute for Remeron, but all of them made me hyper, not at all sleepy. Seroquel is the only thing, aside from Remeron, that has helped me to sleep.
   — Krissy J.