Remeron (Mirtazapine)

Remeron is used for treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Use Remeron as directed by your doctor.

• Take Remeron by mouth with or without food.
• Take Remeron in the evening before bedtime unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Improvement should be noticed within 1 to 4 weeks of taking Remeron.
• Continue to take Remeron even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

Remeron is a tetracyclic antidepressant. How Remeron improves depression symptoms is not fully understood. It is thought to increase the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (norepinephrine, serotonin), which help elevate mood.

If you miss a dose of Remeron, take it as soon as possible. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Store Remeron at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Remeron out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Do not use Remeron if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Remeron;
• you are taking furazolidone ;
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., phenelzine) within the last 14 days.

• Remeron may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Remeron with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Remeron . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Remeron should not be used in children; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Remeron while you are pregnant. It is not known if Remeron is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Remeron , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• abnormal dreams; abnormal thinking; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; flu symptoms; increased appetite; weakness; weight gain.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); decreased ability to fight infection (fever, chills, sore throat); mental or mood changes; mouth sores; thoughts of hurting yourself; tremors; worsening of depression.

Remeron is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.