Introduction
Mirtaz 15 is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of depression. This medicine helps by increasing the level of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline) in the brain that have a calming effect on the brain and relax the nerves, thus treating your depression.
Mirtaz 15 may be taken with or without food. It is advised to take this medicine at a fixed time each day to maintain a consistent level in the blood. If you miss any doses, take it as soon as you remember. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly as it may worsen your symptoms.
Some common side effects of this medicine include dryness in mouth, increased appetite, and headaches. It even causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine may cause weight gain; therefore, you should have a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Moreover, it is important to inform your doctor if you develop a sore throat or fever after taking this medicine.
Side effects of Mirtaz 15
Common
- Sleepiness
- Dryness in mouth
- Increased appetite
- Headache
- Weight gain
How to use Mirtaz 15
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Mirtaz 15 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Mirtaz 15 works
Mirtaz 15 is an antidepressant. It works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline), natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.
Indication
Depression, Major depressive disorder
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral
Depression
Adult: Initially, 15 mg daily; may be increased gradually depending on clinical response. Change dose at intervals of at least 1-2 wk. Usual effective dose: 15-45 mg daily given as single dose, preferably at bedtime, or in 2 divided doses.
Elderly
Depression
7.5 mg/day PO qHS; increase by 7.5-15 mg/day no more frequently than q1-2Weeks; not to exceed 45 mg/day
Alzheimer Dementia-related Depression
7.5 mg/day PO qHS; increase by 7.5-15 mg/day no more frequently than q1-2Weeks; not to exceed 60 mg/day
Hepatic impairment: Clearance is reduced; monitor closely
Child Dose
Safety and efficacy not established
Renal Dose
Renal impairment (CrCl <39 mL/min): Clearance is reduced; monitor closely
Contraindication
Mirtazapine Tablets are contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to mirtazapine or to any of the excipients.
Mode of Action
Mirtazapine, a piperazinoazepine tetracyclic antidepressant, enhances noradrenergic and serotonergic activity through blockade of central presynaptic adrenergic alpha 2-receptors.
Precaution
Epilepsy or history of seizures; avoid completely in unstable cases. Hepatic or renal impairment, cardiac disorders e.g. conduction disturbances, angina pectoris, recent MI. Hypotension, DM, psychoses, history of bipolar disorder. Stop treatment if jaundice develops. Micturition disturbances, angle-closure glaucoma, raised intraocular pressure. Monitor patient for signs of bone marrow depression. Monitor patient for suicidal tendency. Avoid abrupt withdrawal. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Pregnancy and lactation. Elderly.
Lactation: Avoid
Side Effect
>10%
Somnolence (54%),Weight gain (>7% increase in <49% of pediatric patients),Xerostomia (25%),Increased appetite (17%),Constipation (13%)
1-10%
Asthenia (8%),lWeakness (8%),Weight gain (>7% increase in 8% of adults),Dizziness (7%),Serum TGs increased (6%),Dream disorder (4%),Disturbance in thinking (3%),ALT increased (2%),Peripheral edema (2%),Myalgia (2%),Confusion (2%),Urinary frequency (2%),Tremor (2%),Back pain (2%),Dyspnea (1%)
<1%
Mania (0.2%),Grand mal seizure (less than 0.1%)
Frequency Not Defined
Depression exacerbation,Status epilepticus,Suicidal thoughts, suicide (rare),Agranulocytosis,Neutropenia
Interaction
Potentiation of sedative effects with alcohol or benzodiazepines. Increased plasma levels with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. HIV-protease inhibitors, azole antifungals including ketoconazole, erythromycin, nefazodone). Reduced plasma levels with carbamazepine and other inducers of CYP3A4. Increased bioavailability with cimetidine.
Potentially Fatal: Do not use with or within 2 wk of stopping an MAOI; at least 1 wk should elapse between discontinuing mirtazapine and initiating any drug which may provoke a serious reaction (e.g. phenelzine).