Mirtazapine


DNX0782.HTM

Mirtazapine (By mouth)
Mirtazapine (mir-TAZ-a-peen)

Treats depression.

Brand Name(s):Remeron, Remeron Soltab
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to mirtazapine.

How to Use This Medicine:
Tablet, Dissolving Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • Your doctor may tell you to take the medicine at bedtime, because mirtazapine can make you sleepy. You may take this medicine with or without food.
  • You may need to take this medicine for several weeks before you begin to feel better.
  • Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better.
  • If you are using the disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it. Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. It should melt quickly. After the tablet has melted, swallow or take a drink of water. Do not keep a tablet for later use after you have removed it from the blister pack. Do not crush, split, or break the tablet.
  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Tell your doctor if you have taken a type of medicine called an MAO inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Nardil®, Marplan®, or Parnate®) in the past two weeks. Taking these two medicines together or within 14 days of each other may be dangerous, even life threatening.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy, such as diazepam (Valium®) or other sedatives, sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, or narcotic pain killers.
  • There may be other drugs that can interact with mirtazapine. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you plan to become pregnant while using this medicine. Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or seizures. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a heart attack or stroke, or if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions.
  • For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourselves. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you or your child, especially if they are new or are getting worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you or your child have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you, your child, or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
  • Check with your doctor right away if you develop fever, chills, sore throat, or mouth sores. These may be signs of a serious blood problem that has occurred rarely in patients taking mirtazapine.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • The orally disintegrating tablet contains phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU) before taking the tablet.
  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.
  • Chest pain, or a heartbeat that is too slow or uneven.
  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
  • Mouth sores.
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
  • Tremors.
  • Unusual behavior or thoughts of hurting yourself or others.
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Constipation, stomach discomfort, or nausea.
  • Dry mouth, thirst.
  • Excessive sleepiness.
  • Increased appetite, weight gain.
  • Odd or unusual dreams or thoughts.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.