Mirtazapine – what it is, what it is for and side effects!

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant, the way this medication works is still not fully understood, it positively affects communication. Between the nerve cells of the central nervous system and/or restores chemical balance in the brain.

Mirtazapine is used to treat major depressive disorder. Mirtazapine may also be used for purposes not mentioned in this medication guide.

Important Information About Mirtazapine:

You should not take mirtazapine if you are taking tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan). Do not use mirtazapine if you have used an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days.

A dangerous drug interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine and others.

Some young people have thoughts of suicide when taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using mirtazapine . Your family or other caregivers should also be aware of changes in your mood or symptoms.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, Anxiety , panic attacks , difficulty sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically) , more depressed, or having thoughts about suicide or harming yourself.

Do not give this medicine to anyone under the age of 18 without a doctor’s advice. Mirtazapine is not approved for use in children. It may take several weeks for symptoms to improve. Continue using medication as directed and tell your doctor if symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

Alcohol consumption can increase some mirtazapine side effects. The medicine can impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Precautions Before Taking Mirtazapine:

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to mirtazapine or if you are taking tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan). Do not use mirtazapine if you have used an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine and others.

To make sure mirtazapine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• Liver or kidney disease;
• Narrow-angle glaucoma ;
• Bipolar disorder (depressive mania);
• Seizures or Epilepsy ;
• Low blood pressure or dizziness;
• High cholesterol or triglycerides;
• Heart disease, including angina (chest pain);
• A history of heart attack or stroke;
• A history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

Some young people have thoughts of suicide when taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using mirtazapine . Your family or other caregivers should also be aware of changes in your mood or symptoms.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine. It is not known whether mirtazapine passes into breast milk or whether it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of mirtazapine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How Should I Take Mirtazapine?

Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Mirtazapine is usually taken once a day at bedtime.

Follow your doctor’s instructions. Take the regular tablet form of mirtazapine with water. To take the orally disintegrating tablet (Remeron SolTab):

Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Open the package and remove the foil. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.

Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Let it dissolve in your mouth without chewing. If you wish, you can drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

It may take several weeks for symptoms to improve. Continue using medication as directed and tell your doctor if symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

Do not stop using mirtazapine suddenly, or you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medication. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light.

What Happens if I Miss a Dose of Mirtazapine?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

What Happens If I Overdose Mirtazapine?

Seek emergency medical attention, symptoms of overdose can include confusion, memory problems, drowsiness, and rapid heart rate.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Mirtazapine?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase some mirtazapine side effects . It can impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Mirtazapine side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to mirtazapine : rash or hives; breathing difficulty; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Also, thoughts of running, decreased need for sleep, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, being more talkative than usual;
• Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
• Also, a feeling of dizziness, as if you were going to pass out;
• Changes in weight or appetite;
• Also, sudden weakness or feeling unwell, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
• Rash, blisters, oozing or severe pain on the palms or soles of the feet;
• Also, high levels of serotonin in the body – agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, hyperactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
• Low levels of sodium in the body – headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady or
• Also, severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (stiff) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Mirtazapine Dosage Information:

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

• Initial dose: 15 mg orally once daily at bedtime.
• Maintenance dose: 15 to 45 mg per day.

What Other Drugs Will Mirtazapine Affect?

Taking this medicine with other medicines that make you sleepy can make this effect worse. Ask your doctor before taking mirtazapine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxant, or medication for anxiety , depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you use and those you start or stop using during your mirtazapine treatment , especially:

• Also, cimetidine (Tagamet);
• Diazepam (Valium);
• Also, ketoconazole;
• Saint John’s herb;
• In addition, tramadol;
• Tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);
• Also, medication to treat mood disorders, thinking disorders or mental illness – such as lithium, other antidepressants or antipsychotics;
• Medicine migraine headache – sumatriptan, zolmitriptan and others; or
• Also, from seizure – carbamazepine, phenytoin.

Other medications can interact with mirtazapine , including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your healthcare professionals about all the medications you use now and any medications you start or stop using.

Other information:

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your physician to ensure that the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.