Remeron

Remeron is a prescription medicine used in treating depression. It is a kind of tetracyclic antidepressant, which works in the central nervous system and makes certain brain chemicals stronger.

Before using Remeron, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Using any prescription drug should be a decision you make with your doctor. The risks and benefits the medicine offer must be weighed.

For mirtazapine, you and your doctor must consider the following:

Allergies:

If you have any unusual reaction to any medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Additionally, disclose other types of allergies - food, preservatives, animals, or dyes, if there are any. Read the package ingredients carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients.

Pediatric:

There are no appropriate studies performed to establish safety and efficacy of the use of this drug in children.

Geriatric:

Studies show that old age does not affect the medicine’s usefulness. However, it is important to take this medicine with caution, since elderly patients are prone to having confusion, unusual drowsiness, and age-related kidney disorders.

Pregnancy:

It is not sure if there are adequate studies done in pregnant women or if animal studies showing adverse effects are available.

Breastfeeding:

Although there are no adequate studies in lactating mothers that determine potential risk in an infant when breastfeeding, the benefits should be weighed against the risks before taking this medication.

Drug Interactions:

Certain drugs have adverse effects when used together. Make sure to inform your doctor about other drugs you are taking, so that alterations and precautions will be made if necessary. Before using mirtazapine, talk to your doctor about possible interactions if you are taking other medications.

It is also important to inform your doctor if you are smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol since these may interact with the drug’s effectiveness. Inform your doctor about any drug you are using. Prescription or nonprescription, and even vitamin and herbal supplements.

Other medical problems:

It may affect how you use your medicine if you medical problems other than depression. Talk to your doctor about your other medical conditions, especially angina; history of or existing blood vessel disease, heart attack, dehydration, circulation problems, or heart disease.

Also inform your doctor about your history of or existing hypotension, hypovolemia, or stroke. Taking this medicine may make side effects worse. If you have bipolar disorder, angle-closure glaucoma, hypercholesterolemia, hyponatremia, hypomania or mania, or history of or existing seizures, this medicine should be used with caution as it may only worsen these conditions.

Having kidney disease may increase the effects of this drug since the body tends to remove it from the system much slower than normal. Moreover, an ingredient in the orally disintegrating tablet called aspartame is harmful in people with certain diseases, particularly phenylketonuria.

To use Remeron properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. The medicine will come with a usage guide; make sure to read and follow the instructions carefully. If you have other questions, ask your doctor.

For orally disintegrating tablets, make sure to hold the tablets with clean, thoroughly dry hands. Never open a blister pack if it is not the time to take the medicine. Do not split , break or crush the tablet.

When taking the medicine, carefully peel the foil backing and take the tablet off. Quickly place the tablet on top of the tongue; it will dissolve in a matter of seconds, No need for water or other liquids to swallow the tablet as you may swallow it with your saliva.

Dosage:

The information below is only for the average dosage of this drug. Please follow your doctor’s orders. In treating depression in adults, you may take 15 milligrams of orally disintegrating tablet once a day, preferably before going to sleep at night.

Depending on the patient’s requirement, dosage may be adjusted by the doctor. The dose, however, usually does not exceed 45 milligrams a day.

Missed dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. In case it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and follow your regular dosing schedule. Never take double doses.

Storage:

Keep the medicine in an airtight container at normal room temperature. Keep it away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Do not let it freeze. Keep the medicine out of children’s reach.

Throw away any outdated medicine or medicine that are not in use. Do not remove the orally disintegrating tablet until it is time to take it.

Before using Remeron, there are some precautions you must take. Regular visits to the doctor are important to keep side effects in check and to allow dosage changes if needed.

Never take Remeron with medicines like MAO inhibitor, linezolid, methylene blue injection, selegiline, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Wait until 2 weeks after stopping taking mirtazapine before you start taking a MAO inhibitor and wait until 2 weeks after stopping taking MAO inhibitor before taking this medicine.

Taking them together, or if you do not wait 2 weeks, developing confusion, restlessness, agitation, a sudden high body temperature, stomach symptoms, severe convulsions, or an extremely high blood pressure is highly possible.

If taken with certain medicines like buspirone, lithium, tryptophan, some pain and migraine medications, and drugs to treat St. John’s wort, mirtazapine may cause serotonin syndrome, which is a very serious condition. It is crucial to check with your doctor first before taking any medicine with mirtazapine.

The risk of suicidal thoughts is higher in children, teens, and young adults using this medicine. Talk to your doctor if you feel more depressed or you have any unusual behaviors or thoughts that bother you, especially if they are getting worse quickly. A sudden feeling of anger, nervousness, restlessness, frightfulness, and being violent, let your family and doctor know.

Taking mirtazapine makes the effects of CNS depressants and alcohol more pronounced. CNS depressants are medicines for allergies or colds, as well as sedatives, sleeping medicines, tranquilizers, prescription painkillers, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, and anesthetics.

Talk to your doctor before taking any of these medicines. Do not stop using this medicine abruptly; gradual reduction of dosage may be necessary before completely stopping intake.

This drug may cause lightheadedness, drowsiness, or fainting. It may also cause dry mouth, which can be alleviated by taking sugarless candy or gum or bits of ice in the mouth.

Nonetheless, if the dryness of the mouth persists for more than 2 weeks, visit your doctor or dentist. Continuing mouth dryness increases the risk of dental diseases, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and fungal infections.

Do not take any other drugs, including prescription and nonprescription drugs, as well as vitamins and herbal supplements, without your doctor’s advice.

While not all people taking Remeron may suffer from these side effects, you may need to call your doctor if any of these are present:

• Abnormal thinking, anxiety, agitation, confusion, and feelings of not caring, and other mood or behavioral changes
• Changes in movement
• Skin rash
• Shortness of breath
• Change in menstrual cycle (periods)
• Seizures or convulsions
• Menstrual pain
• Decreased sexual ability
• Hallucinations
• Mood swings and unusual excitement
• Sore throat
• Mouth sores
• Chills or fever

While most of these side effects usually diminish as the body adjusts to the drug, calling your doctor may be needed. Some patients may experience side effects not listed above. If you want to report side effects, you may do so by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.