Remeron (Mirtazapine) Antidepressant Information

Remeron (Mirtazapine) Antidepressant Information Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Treating Depression With Remeron (Mirtazapine) Weighing the Benefit and Risks of Treatment By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on February 14, 2017 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 30, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids BSIP / UIG / Getty Images Remeron (mirtazapine) is an atypical antidepressant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.  Remeron works by increasing the production of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters that are known to influence moods and cognition. While effective in treating MDD, Remeron is not used to treat depression related to bipolar disorder. Despite these benefits, Remeron poses an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and action in children, teens, and young adults. For this reason, Remeron is not commonly prescribed to anyone under 18 unless the potential benefits are seen to outweigh the risks. Indications Remeron is indicated for the treatment of clinical depression. A major depressive episode is defined as a prominent and persistent condition in which you feel depressed or have profound feelings of uneasiness (dysphoria) for at least two weeks. By definition, MDD is a condition that interferes with your ability to function normally. A diagnosis requires that at least five of the following nine symptoms be present within the span of two weeks with one of the symptoms being anhedonia:?? Depressed moodLoss of interest in usual activitiesSignificant changes in weight and/or appetiteInsomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)Psychomotor agitation or retardationIncreased fatiguefeelings of guilt or worthlessnessSlowed thinking or impaired concentrationSuicidal thoughts  or a suicidal attempt Do You Know the Signs of Clinical Depression? Dosage Remeron is available in tablet form in dosages of 15, 30 and 45 milligrams (mg). It is also available in the same dosages as a dissolvable tablet. Generic mirtazapine is also supplied in a 7.5-milligram tablet.   The recommended dosage for adults with MDD is as follows: Initial dose: Start with 15 mg once daily, usually taken before bedtime to minimize symptoms. Remeron can be taken with or without food.Maintenance dose: Increase the medication dose every one to two weeks until the desired effect is achieved. You should never take more than 45 mg per day.Seniors 65 and older: Lower doses may be prescribed due to the increased risk of kidney impairment in older adults. Regular renal function tests would need to be performed to avoid toxicity and kidney failure. Remeron has not been confirmed to be safe in children or teens under 18. If Remeron is recommended for a younger person, ask what other treatment options are available and/or seek a second opinion to make a fully informed choice. Never stop taking Remeron without speaking with your doctor. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, tremors, vomiting, and a crawling skin sensation. Everything You Need to Know About Antidepressant Withdrawal Side Effects There  are  common side effects  associated with all antidepressant drugs. While many go away on their own within a few days or weeks, others may persist and become intolerable. There are several common side effects associated with Remeron use:?? SleepinessIncreased appetiteWeight gain (7 percent gain on average)DizzinessConstipationDry mouth (xerostomia)Abnormal, vivid dreams Interestingly, sedation often occurs at lower doses (15 mg) than higher ones.?? This is why some doctors will opt to start treatment at 30 mg doses to help minimize the sedative effect. If side effects worsen or persist for more than two weeks, call your doctor. Uncommon Side Effects Remeron poses a slight risk of causing agranulocytosis, a condition in which your white blood cell count is reduced, making it more difficult to fight infection. Other less common side effects include: Hyponatremia (low blood sodium)Serotonin syndromeStevens-Johnson syndrome (a potentially life-threatening drug reaction characterized by large, peeling blisters)Anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening, all-body allergy) Call 911 if you develop hives, rash, breathing difficulty, lightheadedness, confusion, rapid heart rate, or swelling of the face, throat, or tongue after taking Remeron. Black Box Warning The FDA issued a black box warning in 2004 advising doctors and patients about the increased risk of suicide in children??. Call your doctor or seek emergency care if you experience any of the following: Suicidal thoughts or actionsThoughts of dyingAggressive or violent behaviorsNew or worsening anxietyNew or worsening panic attackWorsening depressionManic behavior and inability to sleepTalking faster and more frenetically than normalActing on dangerous impulsesAny unusual change in mood, thoughts, or behavior In 2007, the FDA ordered that Remeron, along with other antidepressants, must carry an expanded black box warning advising consumers about the increased risk of suicidal symptoms in young adults 18 to 24, as well as children under 18.?? Contraindications Remeron is contraindicated in people with a known hypersensitivity to mirtazapine. Remeron should also not be used with another class of antidepressant known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors??, which includes: Eldepryl (selegiline)Marplan (isocarboxazid)Nardil (phenelzine)Parnate (tranylcypromine)Zyvox (linezolid) Conversely, if you stop taking Remeron, you should wait for at least 14 days before starting an MAO inhibitor. The concomitant use of Remeron and an MAO inhibitor has been known to trigger serious and sometimes fatal reactions, including tremors, muscle rigidity, seizures, and hyperthermia (high body temperature), and coma.   The antibiotic Zyvox (linezolid) and intravenous methylene blue (used to treat blood oxygen problems) should be avoided due to an increased risk of serotonin syndrome.?? Drug Interactions There is a large number of drugs known to interact with Remeron. In some cases, the coadministered drug can increase the concentration of Remeron in the blood and, along with it, the severity of side effects. Others, specifically Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Dilantin (phenytoin), have the opposite effect. Others still can enhance the psychoactive effects of the Remeron, causing increased drowsiness and dizziness. Among some of the drugs known to interact with Remeron are: AlcoholAnticoagulants such as Coumadin (warfarin)Antidepressants such as Anafranil (clomipramine), Asendin (amoxapine), Aventy (nortriptyline), Elavil (amitriptyline), Norpramin (desipramine), Surmontil (trimipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), and Vivactil (protriptyline)Antifungals such as Nizoral (ketoconazole )BuspironeDilantin (phenytoin)ErythromycinFentanylLithiumMigraine medications such as Axert (almotriptan), Relpax (eletriptan), Frova (frovatriptan), Amerge (naratriptan), Maxalt  (rizatriptan), Imitrex (sumatriptan), and Zomig (zolmitriptan)RifampinSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline)Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Cymbalta (duloxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)St. Johns WortTagamet (cimetidine)Tegretol (carbamazepine)Ultram (tramadol)Valium (diazepam) Advise your doctor about any drugs you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal remedies. In some cases, a dose adjustment can overcome the interaction; in others, drug substitution may be needed. Other Considerations Remeron is classified as a Category C drug in pregnancy, meaning that there are no adequate clinical studies in humans but that animal research has shown an increased risk of adverse events.?? Low birth weight was commonly cited. Because animal studies dont always correspond to the same results in humans, it is important to speak with your doctor about both the potential risks and potential benefits of Remeron. Nursing mothers should be cautious about using Remeron. There are no serious reports showing that breastmilk from mothers taking Remeron is harmful, but lactating women should discuss its use with their doctors.?? Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy