Mirtazapine
Brand names
Usage
To treat symptoms of major
depression.
How it works
While the exact mechanism
of action of mirtazapine is
not known, it affects levels
of brain chemicals (norepinephrine and serotonin)
that are thought to be linked
to mood, emotions, and
mental state.
Side effects
- Serious
- Mood or mental changes, confusion, breathing difficulties,
increased or decreased ability to move limbs,
flu like
symptoms, swelling of the lower extremities, skin
rash, anxiety,
agitation, extreme drowsiness, disorientation, loss of
memory, rapid heartbeat.
- Common
- Dizziness,
dry mouth, drowsiness,
constipation, increased
appetite, weight gain.
- Less common
- Muscle pains, unusual dreams,
fatigue,
back pain,
vomiting,
increased thirst, nausea, dizziness or
fainting when getting
up suddenly, sensitivity to touch, tremor,
stomach pain,
increased urination.
Possible interactions
- Other medicaments:
Mirtazapine taken concurrently with:
- diazepam (Valium) and perhaps other benzodiazepines
may impair movement ability.
- inhibitors of cytochrome CYP 2D6, such as amiodarone,
fluoxetine and
zileuton; may lead to excessive
blood levels and mirtazapine toxicity.
- monoamine oxidase (MAO) type A inhibitor medicaments may cause confusion,
agitation, high fever, seizures and dangerous elevations of blood pressure;
avoid the concurrent use of these medicaments.
- ritonavir (Norvir) and perhaps other protease inhibitors
may lead to toxicity.
- Herbal medicines or minerals:
- Since part of the way ginseng works may be as a
MAO inhibitor, do not combine ginseng with mirtazapine.
Valerian and
kava kava may interact additively (drowsiness). Avoid these combinations.
St. John's wort may lead to dangerously increased serotonin activity as well
as additive sensitivity to the sun.
Indian snakeroot,
ma huang and
yohimbe
are also best avoided while taking this medicine.
- Alcohol:
- Avoid completely.
- Exposure to sun:
- Use caution-this medicament may (rarely) cause photosensitivity.
- Discontinuation:
- The slow elimination of this medicament from the body makes it
unlikely that any withdrawal effects will result from abrupt
discontinuation. However, call your doctor if you plan to stop this medicament for any reason.
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