Just started giving mum Mirtazapine to help with mum's sleep. Someone here suggested Mirtazapine could help reduce anxiety and aide sleep. However I think there are risks that need to be considered before going down this route.
I gave mum a 15mg tablet circa 6:30pm and at 8:00pm she was leaning over, staggering around the room, and bumping head first into the wall. When I did get her into bed she slept heavily and all night.
So I think that Mirtazapine (which is for depression) isn't always the answer to help with sleep. If risk of fall increases and mum were to fall and hurt herself, then any benefit would be gone instantly.
At the moment I am trying half a tablet (therefore 7.5mg) of Mirtazapine and given later (circa 8:30pm with 9pm bed time). But if she starts to show any of the same symptoms then I will have to stop the Mirtazapine.
The dementia consultant has also stopped Aricept and is thinking of starting Memantine, which will presumably have side effects too. I half wish I hadn't asked to try Mirtazapine and just stayed on what we knew. But I will keep going & see if things improve.
I gave mum a 15mg tablet circa 6:30pm and at 8:00pm she was leaning over, staggering around the room, and bumping head first into the wall. When I did get her into bed she slept heavily and all night.
So I think that Mirtazapine (which is for depression) isn't always the answer to help with sleep. If risk of fall increases and mum were to fall and hurt herself, then any benefit would be gone instantly.
At the moment I am trying half a tablet (therefore 7.5mg) of Mirtazapine and given later (circa 8:30pm with 9pm bed time). But if she starts to show any of the same symptoms then I will have to stop the Mirtazapine.
The dementia consultant has also stopped Aricept and is thinking of starting Memantine, which will presumably have side effects too. I half wish I hadn't asked to try Mirtazapine and just stayed on what we knew. But I will keep going & see if things improve.