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Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1- To treat depression |
| Common Side Effects | 1- Dry mouth 2- Increased appetite and weight gain 3- Headaches 4- Feeling sleepy 5- Feeling or being sick 6- Diarrhea 7- Constipation |
| Additional Information | Avoid taking alcohol or tobacco with this medicine. |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | The medicine should be taken orally |
Mirtazapine Summary
Mirtazapine is an antidepressant that helps improve mood and sleep by boosting feel-good brain chemicals and calming overactive signals. It’s usually taken once daily and is especially helpful for people dealing with both depression and insomnia. Always take it as prescribed and don’t stop suddenly without your doctor’s advice. Common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, weight gain, and stomach issues. Use caution if you have liver or kidney problems and avoid alcohol. Never exceed the prescribed dose – too much can be dangerous.
Mirtazapine Uses
Mirtazapine 30 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of atypical tetracyclic antidepressant (TeCA) medicines. It is used to treat depression.
Mirtazapine side effects
More Common
- Dry mouth
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Headaches
- Feeling sleepy
- Feeling or being sick
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Less Common
- Decreased or increased movement
- Mood or mental changes, including abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, confusion, and feelings of not caring
- Skin rash
- Swelling
- Trouble breathing
How Mirtazapine works
Mirtazapine boosts mood by increasing – feel-good messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline) and blocking the ones that cause anxiety or nausea. It calms you by turning off -wake-up signals (histamine), making it easier to sleep. Unlike many antidepressants, it doesn’t block message recycling – it just reroutes things smartly with fewer side effects.
Directions of use
- Take mirtazapine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking mirtazapine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it.
Safety Measures and Warning
📌 1- Liver Dysfunction
Mirtazapine is completely metabolized in the liver. If you have liver disease, inform your doctor, as this medication can put additional stress on the liver and may cause complications.
📌 2- Kidney Disease
If you have any kidney disease, inform your doctor. Since this medicine is cleared through the kidneys, impaired kidney function can lead to a buildup of mirtazapine in the body, increasing the risk of severe side effects.
📌 3- Pregnancy
This medicine may be risky during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, inform your doctor before taking this medication.
Mirtazapine Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking mirtazapine 30 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Mirtazapine Interaction with Food Product
Mirtazapine does not interact with any food products, but alcohol should be avoided before and after taking the medicine, as it can increase or decrease the effect of this medication.
Storage
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep away from the reach of children
Mirtazapine Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name-
1,2,3,4,10,14b-hexahydro-2-methylpyrazino[2,1-a]pyrido[2,3-c]benzazepine.
Intake routine/cycle
📌 Daily Dose
Take mirtazapine exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
📌 Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
📌 Overdose
A dose of more than 120 mg of mirtazapine can cause toxicity. Symptoms of overdose include decreased consciousness, respiratory depression, low blood pressure, decreased body temperature, slurred speech, and difficulty with coordination.
FAQ’s
1. Can mirtazapine cause weight gain?
➡️ Yes, mirtazapine can cause weight gain because it increases appetite, which may lead to greater food intake than usual.
2. How long does mirtazapine take to work?
➡️ Mirtazapine may start to show effects within 30 minutes, but it usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to experience its full therapeutic benefits.
3. How much mirtazapine should I take for sleep?
➡️ You should take mirtazapine only as prescribed by your doctor. Taking a dose not recommended by your doctor can lead to serious side effects.
4. How much mirtazapine can you take in a day?
➡️ You should not take more than 120 mg of mirtazapine per day, as higher doses can lead to toxicity.
Reference
- NHS. Side effects of mirtazapine [Internet]. London: National Health Service; 2022 Feb 15 [cited 2025 Apr 16]. Available from.
- Jilani TN, Gibbons JR, Faizy RM, et al. Mirtazapine. [Updated 2024 Nov 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from.
- Berling I, Isbister GK. Mirtazapine overdose is unlikely to cause major toxicity. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014 Jan;52(1):20-4. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2013.859264. Epub 2013 Nov 14. PMID: 24228948; PMCID: PMC3894718.Available from.
- Rao H. The 10 common and serious mirtazapine side effects [Internet]. GoodRx; 2022 Nov 9 [cited 2025 Apr 16]. Available from.
- Sison G. Mirtazapine for sleep: Can mirtazapine help with sleep? [Internet]. SingleCare; 2025 Apr 8 [cited 2025 Apr 16]. Available from
- Sleepstation. Mirtazapine and sleep: will it help you sleep better? [Internet]. Sleepstation; [cited 2025 Apr 16]. Available from.
