Remeron (Mirtazapine) Side Effects and Dosage,

What is Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine)?

Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) is a tetracyclic antidepressant. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. It is thought to increase the activity of norepinephrine and serotonin which help elevate mood.Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) is used to treat major depressive disorder.Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine)

You should not take Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) if you are allergic to mirtazapine or if you are also taking tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan). Do not use Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) if you have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.Before taking Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine), tell your doctor if you have bipolar disorder, liver or kidney disease, seizures, heart disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, or a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of mirtazapine. Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Before taking Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine)

You should not take Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) if you are allergic to mirtazapine or if you are also taking tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan).Do not use Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life threatening side effects can occur if you use Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.If you have any of these other conditions, your doctor may need to adjust the dose of Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) or order special tests:liver or kidney disease; bipolar disorder (manic depression);seizures or epilepsy;low blood pressure or dizzy spells;high cholesterol or triglycerides;heart disease, including angina (chest pain);a history of heart attack or stroke; ora history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.You may have thoughts about suicide while taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether mirtazapine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.The orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine)?

Take Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Take the regular tablet form of Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) with water.To take Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) orally disintegrating tablets (Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) SolTab):Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may break the tablet.Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. No water is needed.Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) is usually taken once a day at bedtime. Follow your doctor's instructions.It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment. Do not stop using Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine).

Store Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If a patient forgets to take the evening dose, advise the patient not to take the missed dose the next morning. Continue treatment in the evening (prior to sleep) with the normal dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.Overdose symptoms may include confusion, memory problems, drowsiness, and fast heart rate.

What should I avoid while taking Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine)?

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine). Mirtazapine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Side effects of Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) 

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine): skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect while using Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine), such as:agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; orheadache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, feeling unsteady, or confusion.

See also the Warning section.

Dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, increased appetite, weight gain, dry mouth, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water or use a saliva substitute.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Less serious Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine) side effects include:

drowsiness, dizziness;increased appetite; orweight gain.This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine)?

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine). Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.Many drugs can interact with Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine). Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:conivaptan (Vaprisol);imatinib (Gleevec);isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid);St. John's wort;tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet);a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip), citalopram (Celexa), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nefazodone, nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), venlafaxine (Effexor), and others;antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), or voriconazole (Vfend);heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir);migraine headache medicine such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig).This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Generic Remeron  (Mirtazapine). Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.