"i started mirtazapine a little over a month ago.  i played with the dose at anywhere from 7.5 to 15 mg and settled on 3/4 of the 15 mg or about 11 mg as my sweet spot for getting anywhere from 7 to 8.5 hours a sleep a night.  i have not gained weight on it and have had no side effects except for feeling a little groggy the first half hour after waking.  i was able to successfully taper off lunesta, which i had been taking for about six months after a bout with severe insomnia,  with the mirtazapine, and i prefer the more natural mirtazapine sleep over the lunesta.  it also works every night without fail.  great drug for insomnia!"