Why is Remeron prescribed?

Remeron is prescribed for the treatment of major depression—that is, a continuous depressed mood that interferes with everyday life. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite and weight, difficulty sleeping, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, constant fidgeting or a slowdown in movement, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking, and suicidal thoughts.

Remeron is thought to work by adjusting the balance of the brain's natural chemical messengers, especially norepinephrine and serotonin. It belongs to the class of drugs known as tetracyclics and is chemically unrelated to other antidepressants such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors and MAO inhibitors.

How should this medicine be used?

Mirtazapine comes as a tablet and as a disintegrating tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day at bedtime. It may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take mirtazapine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

To take a mirtazapine disintegrating tablet, open the blister pack with dry hands and place the tablet on your tongue. The tablet will disintegrate on the tongue and can be swallowed with saliva. No water is needed to swallow disintegrating tablets. Once the tablet is removed from the blister pack, it cannot be stored. Do not split mirtazapine disintegrating tablets.

It may take several weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefit of mirtazapine. Continue to take mirtazapine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking mirtazapine without talking to your doctor. Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually.

How should you take Remeron?

Remeron may be taken with or without food. It is preferable to take it in the evening before you go to sleep. Even though you may begin to feel better in 1 to 4 weeks, continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed. Regular daily doses are needed for the drug to work properly.

If you are using Remeron SolTabs, an orally disintegrating form of the drug, make sure your hands are dry before removing the tablet from the blister pack and immediately place the tablet on your tongue. Do not attempt to split the tablet; it will fall apart rapidly and can be swallowed with saliva.

• If you miss a dose...
  Take the forgotten dose if you remember within a few hours. Otherwise, skip the dose. Never try to "catch up" by doubling the dose.

• Storage instructions...
  Store at room temperature in a tight, light-resistant container.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Mirtazapine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• anxiousness
• confusion
• increased weight and appetite
• dry mouth
• constipation
• nausea
• vomiting

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, or other signs of infection
• chest pain
• fast heartbeat
• seizures

Mirtazapine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.