Remeron

The active ingredient in Remeron is Mirtazapine. Because Remeron is a tetracyclic antidepressant, it works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, which are important chemicals for mood regulation.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Remeron. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Remeron:

• Take the medication at the same time every day, usually at bedtime.
• Take a regular Remeron tablet with water.
• You can take this medication with or without food.
• Only take a Remeron SolTab orally disintegrating tablet out of the package when you are ready to use it. Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve without chewing. Swallow several times until the tablet dissolves.
• Your symptoms may take several weeks to improve. Continue taking the medication as prescribed and notify your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

The most common side effects of Remeron seen in clinical trials as compared to placebo include:

• Drowsiness.
• Constipation.
• Weight gain.
• Dizziness.
• Dry mouth.
• Flu-like symptoms like a sore throat.
• Confusion.
• Urinating more often.
• Eye pain or angle-closure glaucoma.
• Muscle pain.
• Low white blood cells (Agranulocytosis).
• Hypotension (low blood pressure).

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Remeron. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Suicidal thoughts or behavior. If your caregiver notices this, they should contact your doctor.
• Serotonin syndrome symptoms include rapid heart rate, dizziness, , flushing, muscle stiffness, muscle twitching or spasms, and coma.
• Abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation): chest pounding, or lightheadedness.
• Increased risk of seizures.
• Serious allergic reaction or skin reactions: Hives, rash, blisters, lip or tongue swelling, difficulty breathing, skin reddening, blisters, rash
• Symptoms of low blood sodium levels include nausea, fatigue, headache, confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and unconsciousness.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Remeron. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Remeron, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Remeron should not be used if you are allergic to mirtazapine or its ingredients, are taking tryptophan, or have used an MAO (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) (e.g., isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid, or methylene blue injection) within the last 14 days due to the risk of a dangerous interaction.
• Some people may consider suicide after starting an antidepressant. Regular progress checkups with your doctor are essential. Anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, restlessness, aggression, hyperactivity, or worsening depression are all signs that family or carers should keep an eye out for.
• Individuals under the age of 18 should seek the advice of a doctor before using this product.
• Do not discontinue mirtazapine abruptly; consult your doctor first. Avoid alcohol, as it can exacerbate side effects. The medication may impair thinking or reactions, so use caution when driving or operating machinery
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of low white blood cell counts, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, low sodium levels, seizures, depression, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, heart problems, stroke, long QT syndrome, high cholesterol, or low blood pressure.
• Inform your doctor if you are using stimulants, opioids, herbal supplements, or medications for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraines, infections, or nausea. These can interact with mirtazapine, resulting in serotonin syndrome, a potentially serious condition.
• Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of mirtazapine.
• The orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should avoid taking a medication for safety reasons. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, please notify your healthcare provider because Mirtazapine (Remeron) is not safe for you to take.

• Currently or have taken an MAOI, linezolid (Zyvox), or methylene blue (ProvayBlue) in the last 14 days.

You may notice an improvement in your mood after taking Remeron for two weeks. However, you will most likely need to take this medication for 1 to 2 months to see the full benefits. Keep in mind that when you begin taking Remeron for the first time, your psychiatrist will recommend a lower dose to reduce side effects. If necessary, they will increase your dose every 1 to 2 weeks, so it may take some time before you find the best dose for your symptoms.

When Remeron is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Cimetidine.
• Diazepam.
• St. John's Wort.
• Tramadol.
• Tryptophan (also called L-tryptophan).
• An antibiotic - clarithromycin, rifampin, rifampicin, telithromycin.
• Antifungal medications include itraconazole and ketoconazole.
• Antiviral medications used to treat HIV/AIDS include indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir.
• Lithium, other antidepressants, and antipsychotics are examples of medications used to treat mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental illness.
• Migraine headache medication, such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan, Imitrex, Maxalt, and others.
• Carbamazepine and phenytoin are seizure medicines.
• Remeron should not be taken with CNS depressants as it can cause sedation.

Remeron is available in both dosage forms of oral tablets and orally dissolving tablets (ODTs), which dissolve on the tongue and are swallowed.

Adults: The typical starting dose is 15 mg once per day, usually in the evening. Your psychiatrist may increase your dose every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on how well the medication is working to treat your depression symptoms. The maximum recommended dosage is 45 mg once daily.

Renal impairment: A dosage decrease may be needed in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment.

If you miss a dose, take the medication as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

In terms of someone overdosing, be sure to call the Poison Control Center as soon as possible.

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Organon is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Remeron.

There are several lower-cost generic versions of Remeron available with the active ingredient of Mirtazapine.

Do not discontinue Remeron abruptly; otherwise, you may experience unpleasant side effects. Ask your doctor how to safely discontinue this medication.

Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Remeron is typically not used during pregnancy because there is restricted information on its safety. However, you should speak with your healthcare provider to weigh the hazards and benefits of taking it.

Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is fine, you can use Remeron while breastfeeding. Remeron passes into breast milk in trace amounts and has frequently been used during breastfeeding without issue.