Mirtazapine

Generic Name: Mirtazapine (mihr-TAZZ-uh-peen)
Brand Name: Remeron

Mirtazapine is used for:

Treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Mirtazapine is a tetracyclic antidepressant. How Mirtazapine improves depression symptoms is not fully understood. It is thought to increase the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (norepinephrine, serotonin), which help elevate mood.

Do NOT use Mirtazapine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Mirtazapine
• you are taking furazolidone
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Mirtazapine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Mirtazapine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver or kidney disease or a low white blood cell count, or have attempted or thought about suicide

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Mirtazapine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because they may decrease Mirtazapine 's effectiveness
• Fluvoxamine, furazolidone, or MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, or seizures, may occur
• Fluvoxamine because it may increase the risk of Mirtazapine 's side effects
• Clonidine because it may decrease Mirtazapine 's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Mirtazapine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Mirtazapine :

Use Mirtazapine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Mirtazapine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Mirtazapine refilled.
• Take Mirtazapine by mouth with or without food.
• Take Mirtazapine in the evening before bedtime unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Improvement should be noticed within 1 to 4 weeks of taking Mirtazapine .
• Continue to take Mirtazapine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Mirtazapine , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Mirtazapine .

Important safety information:

• Mirtazapine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Mirtazapine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Mirtazapine may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Mirtazapine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Mirtazapine . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Mirtazapine should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Mirtazapine while you are pregnant. It is not known if Mirtazapine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Mirtazapine , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Mirtazapine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal dreams; abnormal thinking; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; flu symptoms; increased appetite; weakness; weight gain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); decreased ability to fight infection (fever, chills, sore throat); mental or mood changes; mouth sores; thoughts of hurting yourself; tremors; worsening of depression.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center ( http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; disorientation; drowsiness or deep sleep; fast heartbeat; impaired memory; loss of consciousness; rigid muscles; sluggishness.

Proper storage of Mirtazapine :

Store Mirtazapine at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Mirtazapine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Mirtazapine , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Mirtazapine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Mirtazapine . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.