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| Pronunciation |
|
 (mir
TAZ a
peen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Remeron®; Remeron®
SolTab™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antidepressant, Alpha-2 Antagonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to mirtazapine or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (isocarboxazid,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine) in the past 14
days.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used for the treatment of
depression.
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| How does it work? |
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|
- Mirtazapine increases concentrations of chemicals in the brain. Sleep
and appetite may improve quickly. Other depressive symptoms may take up to 4-6
weeks to improve.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- May take at bedtime if it causes you to feel too sleepy.
- If taking SolTab™, place on tongue and it will
dissolve. Do not take with water. Do not split
tablet.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel
sleepy and shaky.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Do not use monamine oxidase inhibitors (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or
tranylcypromine) while taking this medicine. Separate use by 2 weeks.
- Avoid St. John's wort: May decrease this medicine's effects.
- Make sure to get good dental care. You are at higher risk of cavities.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes rash;
hives; itching; difficulty breathing; wheezing; cough; swelling of lips, tongue,
throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
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- Feeling sleepy or lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be cautious climbing stairs.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Weight gain.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check lipid (cholesterol) panel (blood test). Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room temperature.
- SolTab™:Protect form light and moisture. Use as
soon as tablet opened.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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