Mirtazapine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What drug Mirtazapine?

What is mirtazapine for?

Mirtazapine is a drug that is useful for treating depression and improving one's mood and feelings. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant that works by restoring the balance of natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.

How do I use mirtazapine?

Take this medication with or without food, usually once daily at bedtime or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on medical condition and response to therapy, but should not exceed 45 mg per day. Use this remedy regularly for maximum benefits. Remember to use it at the same time every day. It may take between 1-4 weeks for symptoms to improve. So, do not increase the dose or take medication more often than recommended.

It is important to continue taking medication even if you feel well. Don't stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may get worse if you stop taking the drug suddenly. The dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Tell the doctor if the condition does not improve or gets worse.

How is mirtazapine stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Mirtazapine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of mirtazapine for adults?

Adult Dose for Depression

Initial dose: 15 mg orally once a day at bedtime.

Rule dosage: 15-45 mg per day.

What is the dose of mirtazapine for children?

The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosage is mirtazapine available?

Tablet, oral: 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg.

Tablets, dissolved in mouth: 15 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg.

Mirtazapine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to mirtazapine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to the doctor, such as: changes in mood or habits, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or thinking of committing suicide or injuring yourself.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, namely:

• irritability, hallucinations, fever, fast heartbeat, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination
• very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors
• felt like he might pass out
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• canker sores in the mouth or lips or
• headache, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, lethargy, or feeling unstable

Milder side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness
• appetite increases
• weight gain

There may be some side effects not listed above. If you want to know about side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Mirtazapine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using mirtazapine?

Before using mirtazapine, tell your doctor (and pharmacist) if you:

• allergy to mirtazapine, any other medications, or any ingredient in mirtazapine-soluble tablets or tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of ingredients.
• use monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) or if you have stopped using MAO inhibitors within 14 day. Your doctor may tell you not to take mirtazapine. If you stop taking mirtazapine you should wait at least 14 days before starting to use an MAO inhibitor
• are or plan to take prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and nutritional supplements. Be sure to mention: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and certain antifungal trimipramine (Surmontil) such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) buspirone carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, and others) cimetidine (Tagamet) diazepamES (Valium) erythromycin mycin, Erythrocin) fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Onsolis, and others) lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) migraine headache medications such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig) certain HIV drugs anxiety and seizure drugs nefazodone phenytoin (Dilantin) rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, in Rifater, in Rifamate) sedative selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (S SRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft) selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI)), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor) sleeping pills tramadol (Ultram and sedatives. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or watch you carefully for side effects
• currently using herbal products, especially St. John's wort and tryptophan
• have had a heart attack, low blood pressure, heart, kidney, or liver disease, or high cholesterol
• pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking mirtazapine, call your doctor
• having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking mirtazapine
• should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or run machinery until you know how this drug affects you
• remember that alcohol can make you even more sleepy because of this drug
• having phenylketonuria (PKU, a congenital condition in which you have to follow a special diet to prevent mental retardation), you should know that the oral soluble tablets contain aspartame which forms phenylalanine
• It should be noted that mirtazapine might cause acute glaucoma (a condition in which fluid suddenly becomes blocked and cannot flow out of the eye so that eye pressure increases rapidly and severely which may result in vision loss). Talk to your doctor about having an eye exam before starting to take this medication. If you experience nausea, eye pain, vision changes, such as seeing colored rings around light, and swollen or red eyes, call your doctor or get emergency medical care right away.

Is mirtazapine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

It is not known whether mirtazapine passes into breast milk or could harm the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Mirtazapine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with mirtazapine?

Drug interactions may change how medications work or increase the risk of serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change your dose without your doctor's approval.

Taking this medication with other medicines that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking mirtazapine with sleeping pills, narcotic pain medications, drugs that relax your muscles, or medications for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

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

• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• diazepam (Valium)
• ketoconazole
• St. John's wort
• tramadol
• tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan)
• medications to treat mood, thought, or mental disorders - for example, lithium, other antidepressants, or antipsychotic drugs
• migraine headache medication - sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, etc. or
• seizure medication - carbamazepine, phenytoin.

Can food or alcohol interact with mirtazapine?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with a healthcare professional about using drugs with food, alcohol, or cigarettes.

• cigarette
• ethanol

What health conditions can interact with mirtazapine?

The presence of other drug problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• angina (very tight chest), history
• vascular disease or circulatory problems
• dehydration
• heart attack, history
• heart disease
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• hypovolemia (low blood volume)
• stroke, history — may worsen side effects
• bipolar disorder (mood disorder with mania and depression)
• glaucoma (acute)
• hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in the blood)
• hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood)
• mania or hypomania, history
• seizures, history — use with caution. It might worsen the condition.
• kidney disease, moderate or severe
• liver disease - use with caution. The effect may increase due to the slower disposal of the drug from the body
• phenylketonuria (metabolic disorder) —Tablets that dissolve in the mouth contain aspartame, which can make this condition worse.

Mirtazapine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.