mirtazapine

Brand names: Mirtazapine

# Mirtazapine: What You Need to Know Mirtazapine is a medication used to treat depression in adults. It works by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain that affect your mood and emotions. Doctors prescribe it when people are feeling very sad, hopeless, or lose interest in things they normally enjoy. This medicine can help improve sleep, appetite, and energy levels in people with depression. It usually takes several weeks of taking mirtazapine regularly before you start to feel better, so it's important to be patient and keep taking it as your doctor prescribes. Before taking mirtazapine, you need to tell your doctor about all other medicines you're taking, especially a type of antidepressant called MAOIs. Taking mirtazapine with MAOIs can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome, which is why doctors won't let you use these medicines together. Common side effects include drowsiness, increased appetite, and weight gain. You should not stop taking mirtazapine suddenly without talking to your doctor first, as this can cause problems. If you're pregnant, nursing a baby, or under 18 years old, make sure to discuss this with your doctor before starting this medicine, since special care may be needed.

Known Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 5 includes clinically important drug interactions with mirtazapine [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Table 5: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Mirtazapine Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs, including mirtazapine, and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention Mirtazapine is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with mirtazapine increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dosage increases. If serotonin syndrome occurs, c

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • NAUSEA4,838 reports
  • FATIGUE4,715 reports
  • DRUG INEFFECTIVE4,598 reports
  • FALL4,027 reports
  • DIARRHOEA3,959 reports
  • OFF LABEL USE3,836 reports
  • TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS3,702 reports
  • ANXIETY3,471 reports
  • DIZZINESS3,430 reports
  • DYSPNOEA3,394 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with mirtazapine:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.