Agree
Thanks
Psychologist
Yes, 15mg is a stronger dose than 7.5mg. Side effects of medication vary from individual to individual and are best explained by your medical practitioner. A stronger dose may increase your level of sedation, or it may have a paradoxical effect and not increase your level of sedation.
You don’t say what Avanza is being prescribed for. If it’s being prescribed to alleviate depression, you might want to think about seeking psychological therapy. Psychological therapy – both alone and in combination with medication – is an effective treatment for depression. Your General Practitioner may consider you qualify for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. If so, Medicare will subsidise up to 10 sessions with a psychologist. Psychological therapy is not sedating!
I wish you well on your journey to recovery.
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HealthShare Member
Hello, sedative effects are reduced with higher doses. They are also extrememly strong for the first couple of weeks of taking the medication. This is because the drug is a very strong H1 receptor inverse agonist ie. antihistamine. After a short period of chronic treatment, however, the H1 receptor tends to desensitize and the antihistamine effects become more tolerable. I currently take 75mg for Major depression and GAD.
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Health Professional
Avanza (Mirtazapine - it is sold under various trade-names) is indicated for management of Major Depressive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Feeling "sedated" is a common side-effect of it.
Apart from that, I agree with what Jennifer has suggested - getting your GP to draw up a Mental Health Treatment Plan (sometimes called a Mental Health Care Plan) with you is a good idea.
That will give you a number of Medicare-subsidised sessions with mental health professionals (clinical psychologists and/or psychiatrists).
Depending on the results of those, your needs might best be met from non-pharmaceutical therapy (from a clinical psychologist) or from a combination of that and medication (prescribed by a psychiatrist).
All the best.
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