Remeron or Promethazine

[[Ri...]]

Which one of these drugs has less side effects? I have been taking 7.5 mg of Remeron and although it helps me sleep, I hate weight gain and dry mouth caused by Mirtazapine.

I have read the Ashton manual and it is suggested to take Promethazine 50 - 100 mg 2 hours before going to bed. Is it worth to switch medications anyway?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[[Si...]]

I'd guess the Promethazine since it's basically a prescription antihistamine. It would be similar to Hydroxyzine/Atarax/Vistaril. I took Hydroxyzine when I came off. I think it took the edge off but never helped me sleep. Which is what I really needed. It knocks most people out though. Almost no s/x from it. Some very minor heart burn and cotton mouth.

 

Remeron is an old school antidepressant. So I would guess it may have more potential for withdrawal. If antihistamines knock you out, you may give it a try. It may not work as well if you take it consecutively.

[[Bl...]]

Rick51....phenergan is OTC in Canada so no need for a script.  I've tied it and although it helps occasionally, if used continually it tends not to be as effective.  Not sure what you can do with the weight gain from remeron but you can try Biotene for the dry mouth, it's available at most drug stores.

 

I agree with siggy, antihistamines either work for you or they don't but at least no harm, in trying.

[[Ne...]]

Siggy has had some good advice but I will add that REMERON and its way newer than the first generation of antidepressants and can have a difficult withdrawal . He's very correct that the antihistamine loose effectiveness rapidly.

 

The Knock on the antihistamines is for men with BPH (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy) will make difficult urination more difficult, they raise blood pressure so if you are hypertensive to start with that's an issue.

Glaucoma patients should not take OTC Benedryl.

 

Trazadone for men is a choice but the dangers at higher dose like more than 75 mg's daily increases the danger of priapism (an erection lasting more than 4 hours) which then becomes a urological emergency.

The Tricyclic ( first generation anti depressants) maybe helpful with INSOMNIA.

 

 

 

[[bu...]]

Siggy has had some good advice but I will add that REMERON and its way newer than the first generation of antidepressants and can have a difficult withdrawal . He's very correct that the antihistamine loose effectiveness rapidly. 

 

Or may have very little, if any withdrawal.  As a generalization, most folks find Remeron easy to discontinue.  I took 30 mg/day for 3 years, then did a 2 week taper, with zero WD sxs.

 

The Knock on the antihistamines is for men with BPH (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy) will make difficult urination more difficult, they raise blood pressure so if you are hypertensive to start with that's an issue.

Glaucoma patients should not take OTC Benedryl.

 

Yes, men with BPH issues will likely see noticeable increases in urinary difficult while taking an antihistamine.  For that reason, I have completely stopped using doxylamine when I (rarely) have sleep issues.  If really needed, I do take a crumb of Remeron.

Trazadone for men is a choice but the dangers at higher dose like more than 75 mg's daily increases the danger of priapism (an erection lasting more than 4 hours) which then becomes a urological emergency.

 

Which my doc laughs about, and says is extremely rare.

The Tricyclic ( first generation anti depressants) maybe helpful with INSOMNIA.