Mirtazapine Medication Guide

Conditions This Medication May Treat

Based on Bridgeway's clinical use. See the FDA "Uses" section below for approved indications.

Depression

Uses (FDA Indications) (FDA source)

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Mirtazapine tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Mirtazapine tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. ( 1 )

Dosage Forms & Strengths (FDA source)

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Mirtazapine tablets USP are supplied as: • 7.5 mg tablets: White, biconvex, capsule shaped film coated tablets with “11” debossed on one side and “A” debossed on the other side. • 15 mg tablets: Yellow, biconvex, capsule shaped film coated tablets with a score line in between “0” and “8” on one side and “A” debossed on the other side. • 30 mg tablets: Reddish brown, biconvex, capsule shaped film coated tablets with a score line in between “0” and “9” on one side and “A” debossed on the other side. • 45 mg tablets: White, biconvex, capsule shaped film coated tablets with “10” debossed on one side and “A” debossed on the other side. • Tablets: 7.5 mg unscored, 15 mg scored, 30 mg scored and 45 mg unscored. ( 3 )

Warnings & Precautions (FDA source)

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Agranulocytosis: If sore throat, fever, stomatitis or signs of infection occur, along with a low white blood cell count, treatment with mirtazapine should be discontinued and the patient should be closely monitored. ( 5.2 ) • Serotonin Syndrome: Increased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRI, SNRI, triptans), but also when taken alone. If it occurs, discontinue mirtazapine and initiate supportive treatment. ( 2.4 , 4 , 5.3 , 7 ) • Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Angle closure glaucoma has occurred in patients with untreated anatomically narrow angles treated with antidepressants. ( 5.4 ) • QTc Prolongation: Use mirtazapine with caution in patients with risk factors for QTc prolongation. ( 5.5 , 7 ) • Increased Appetite/Weight Gain: mirtazapine has been associated with increased appetite and weight gain. ( 5.6 ) • Somnolence: May impair judgment, thinking and/or motor skills. Use with caution when engaging in activities requiring alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. ( 5.7 , 7 ) • Activation of Mania/Hypomania: Screen patients for bipolar disorder prior to initiating treatment. ( 2.3 , 5.8 ) • Seizures: Use with caution in patients with a seizure disorder. ( 5.9 ) • Elevated Cholesterol/Triglycerides: Has been reported with mirtazapine use. ( 5.10 ) • Hyponatremia: May occur as a result of treatment with serotonergic antidepressants, including mirtazapine. ( 5.11 ) • Transaminase Elevations: Clinically significant elevations have occurred. Use with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function. ( 5.12 ) 5.1 Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and 4,500 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients age 24 years and younger was greater than in placebo-treated patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among drugs, but there was an increased risk identified in young patients for most drugs studied. …

Common Side Effects (FDA source)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are described in more detail in other sections of the prescribing information: • Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications (4) ] • Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Agranulocytosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Serotonin Syndrome [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , Drug Interactions (7) ] • Angle-Closure Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • QT Prolongation and Torsades de Pointes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Increased Appetite and Weight Gain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Activation of Mania or Hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] • Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] • Elevated Cholesterol and Triglycerides [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] • Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] • Transaminase Elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] • Discontinuation Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] • Use in Patients with Concomitant Illness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥5% or greater and twice placebo) were somnolence, increased appetite, weight gain, and dizziness. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Rising Health, LLC at 1-833-395-6928 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below are from clinical trials in which mirtazapine was administered to 2796 patients in phase 2 and 3 clinical studies. The trials consisted of double-blind controlled and open-label studies, inpatient and outpatient studies, fixed dose, and titration studies. Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation of Treatment Approximately 16% of the 453 patients who received mirtazapine in U.S. …

Drug Interactions (FDA source)

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 5 includes clinically important drug interactions with mirtazapine [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Table 5: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Mirtazapine Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs, including mirtazapine, and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention Mirtazapine is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with mirtazapine increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dosage increases. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of mirtazapine and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Examples SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, amphetamines, St. John’s Wort, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone Strong CYP3A Inducers Clinical Impact The concomitant use of strong CYP3A inducers with mirtazapine decreases the plasma concentration of mirtazapine [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Intervention Increase the dose of mirtazapine if needed with concomitant CYP3A inducer use. Conversely, a decrease in dosage of mirtazapine may be needed if the CYP3A inducer is discontinued [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ]. …

Interactions With Other Medications We Cover

FDA label text for Mirtazapine or a related medication mentions the following combinations. Check any two medications with our interaction tool →

• Mirtazapine + Lithium Carbonate — Minor
• Mirtazapine + Buspirone Hydrochloride — Minor

About this interaction data. These interactions were identified by automatically scanning FDA prescribing-label text for medications in Bridgeway's library. This is not a complete list and is not a substitute for review by your prescriber or pharmacist, who use comprehensive clinical databases. Always share your full medication list with your care team. How we source this data →

Contraindications (FDA source)

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Mirtazapine tablets are contraindicated in patients: • Taking, or within 14 days of stopping, MAOIs (including the MAOIs linezolid and intravenous methylene blue) because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , Drug Interactions (7) ]. • With a known hypersensitivity to mirtazapine or to any of the excipients in mirtazapine tablets. Severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bullous dermatitis, erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported following the use of mirtazapine tablets [see Adverse Reactions 6.2 ]. • Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or use within 14 days of stopping MAOIs. ( 2.4 , 4 , 7 ) • Known hypersensitivity to mirtazapine or any of the excipients in mirtazapine tablets. ( 4 )

Use in Specific Populations (FDA source)

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS • Pregnancy : Use only if clearly needed. ( 8.1 ) • Nursing Mothers: Caution should be exercised when administered to a nursing woman. ( 8.3 ) • Geriatric Use : Use with caution in elderly patients. ( 5.11 , 5.14 , 8.5 ) • Renal impairment: Dosage decrease may be needed in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment. ( 8.6 ) • Hepatic impairment : Dosage decrease may be needed in patients with hepatic impairment. ( 8.6 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Reproduction studies in pregnant rats and rabbits at doses up to 100 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively [20 and 17 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) on an mg/m 2 basis, respectively], have revealed no evidence of teratogenic effects. However, in rats, there was an increase in post-implantation losses in dams treated with mirtazapine. There was an increase in pup deaths during the first 3 days of lactation and a decrease in pup birth weights. The cause of these deaths is not known. The effects occurred at doses that were 20 times the MRHD, but not at 3 times the MRHD, on an mg/m 2 basis. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, mirtazapine should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. 8.3 Nursing Mothers Mirtazapine may be excreted in breast milk. Exercise caution when administering mirtazapine to nursing women. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of mirtazapine have not been established in pediatric patients with MDD. …

Most-Reported Adverse Events (FAERS)

Of 91,067 adverse-event reports mentioning Mirtazapine submitted to the FDA, the most frequently reported reactions are:

• Nausea — 5,028 reports
• Fatigue — 4,903 reports
• Drug Ineffective — 4,788 reports
• Fall — 4,168 reports
• Diarrhoea — 4,114 reports
• Off Label Use — 3,998 reports
• Toxicity To Various Agents — 3,837 reports
• Dizziness — 3,586 reports
• Anxiety — 3,582 reports
• Dyspnoea — 3,535 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary, unverified reports from patients and providers worldwide — they do not mean the medication caused the reaction, and report counts reflect how widely a drug is used as much as its safety profile.

Recent FDA Recalls

No ongoing recalls involving Mirtazapine right now. See full medication safety feed →