Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Treating Depression With Remeron (Mirtazapine) Weighing the Benefit and Risks of Treatment By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on April 10, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on April 11, 2020 Print BSIP / UIG / Getty Images Remeron (mirtazapine) is an atypical antidepressant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Remeron works by influencing serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters that are known to influence moods, anxiety, and cognition. While effective in treating MDD, Remeron needs to be used with caution in treating depression related to bipolar disorder as antidepressants can potentially lead to mania or a worsening mood course in this condition. Indications Remeron is indicated for the treatment of clinical depression. A major depressive episode is defined as at least two weeks of persistently depressed mood or loss of interest accompanied by several other symptoms causing significant distress and impacting ones functioning. Other symptoms include: Significant changes in weight and/or appetite Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) Psychomotor agitation or retardation Increased fatigue feelings of guilt or worthlessness Slowed thinking or impaired concentration Suicidal thoughts or a suicidal attempt Do You Know the Signs of Clinical Depression? Dosage Remeron is available in tablet form in dosages of 15, 30 and 45 milligrams (mg). It is also available in the same dosages as a dissolvable tablet. Generic mirtazapine is also supplied in a 7.5-milligram tablet. The recommended dosage for adults with MDD is as follows: Initial dose: Remeron is often started with 15 mg once daily, usually taken before bedtime to minimize symptoms. Remeron can be taken with or without food. Maintenance dose: The medication is generally increased every one to two weeks until the desired effect is achieved. The maximum dose is considered 45 mg per day. Seniors 65 and older: Lower doses may be prescribed in older patients due to the greater likelihood of decreased renal function. Never stop taking Remeron without speaking with your doctor. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, tremors, vomiting, and uncomfortable skin sensations. Everything You Need to Know About Antidepressant Withdrawal Side Effects There are common side effects associated with all antidepressant drugs. While many go away on their own within a few days or weeks, others may persist and become intolerable. There are several common side effects associated with Remeron use: Sleepiness Increased appetite Weight gain Dizziness Constipation Dry mouth (xerostomia) Interestingly, sedation often occurs at lower doses (15 mg) than higher ones. If side effects worsen or persist, call your doctor. Uncommon Side Effects Remeron poses a rare risk of causing agranulocytosis, a condition in which your white blood cell count is reduced, making it more difficult to fight infection. Other uncommon side effects include: Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) Serotonin syndrome Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a potentially life-threatening drug reaction characterized by large, peeling blisters) Anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening, all-body allergy) Call 911 if you develop hives, rash, breathing difficulty, lightheadedness, confusion, rapid heart rate, or swelling of the face, throat, or tongue after taking Remeron. Black Box Warning The FDA issued a black box warning advising doctors and patients about the increased risk of suicide behavior in some children, teens, and young adults taking antidepressants. Call your doctor or seek emergency care if you experience any of the following: Suicidal thoughts or actions Thoughts of dying Aggressive or violent behaviors New or worsening anxiety New or worsening panic attack Worsening depression Manic behavior and inability to sleep Talking faster and more frenetically than normal Acting on dangerous impulses Any unusual change in mood, thoughts, or behavior In 2007, the FDA ordered that Remeron, along with other antidepressants, must carry an expanded black box warning advising consumers about the increased risk of suicidal symptoms in young adults 18 to 24, as well as children under 18. Contraindications Remeron is contraindicated in people with a known hypersensitivity to mirtazapine. Remeron should also not be used with another class of antidepressant known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors , which includes: Eldepryl (selegiline) Marplan (isocarboxazid) Nardil (phenelzine) Parnate (tranylcypromine) Conversely, if you stop taking Remeron, you should wait for at least 14 days before starting an MAO inhibitor. The concomitant use of Remeron and an MAO inhibitor has been known to trigger serious and sometimes fatal reactions, including tremors, muscle rigidity, seizures, and hyperthermia (high body temperature), and coma. The antibiotic Zyvox (linezolid) and intravenous methylene blue (used to treat blood oxygen problems) should be avoided due to an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. Drug Interactions There is a large number of drugs known to interact with Remeron. In some cases, the coadministered drug can increase the concentration of Remeron in the blood and, along with it, the severity of side effects. Others, specifically Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Dilantin (phenytoin), have the opposite effect. Others still can enhance the psychoactive effects of the Remeron, causing increased drowsiness and dizziness. Among some of the drugs known to potentially interact with Remeron are: Alcohol Anticoagulants such as Coumadin (warfarin) Antidepressants such as Anafranil (clomipramine), Asendin (amoxapine), Aventy (nortriptyline), Elavil (amitriptyline), Norpramin (desipramine), Surmontil (trimipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), and Vivactil (protriptyline) Antifungals such as Nizoral (ketoconazole ) Buspirone Dilantin (phenytoin) Erythromycin Fentanyl Lithium Migraine medications such as Axert (almotriptan), Relpax (eletriptan), Frova (frovatriptan), Amerge (naratriptan), Maxalt (rizatriptan), Imitrex (sumatriptan), and Zomig (zolmitriptan) Rifampin Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline) Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Cymbalta (duloxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) St. John's Wort Tagamet (cimetidine) Tegretol (carbamazepine) Ultram (tramadol) Valium (diazepam) Advise your doctor about any drugs you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal remedies. In some cases, a dose adjustment can overcome the interaction; in others, drug substitution may be needed. Other Considerations Remeron is classified as a Category C drug in pregnancy, meaning that there are no adequate clinical studies in humans but that animal research has shown an increased risk of adverse events. You should talk with your physician about the potential risks and benefits of continuing your Remeron during pregnancy. Nursing mothers should also be cautious about using Remeron. There are no serious reports showing that breastmilk from mothers taking Remeron is harmful, but lactating women should discuss its use with their doctors. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Major Depressive Disorder. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9781615370740.umd01 Food and Drug Administration. Remeron. Updated September 2019. Jilani, Talha N., Saadabadi, Abdolreza. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Mirtazapine. Updated October 9, 2019. Ho D. Antidepressants and the FDA's black-box warning: determining a rational public policy in the absence of sufficient evidence. Virtual Mentor. 2012;14(6):483-8. Additional Reading Hirsch, M. and Birnbaum R. (2016). Atypical Antidepressants: Pharmacology, Administration, and Side Effects. UpToDate. Roy-Byrne PP (Ed). Waltham, MA: UpToDate. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Remeron: Mirtazapine Tablets. Silver Spring, Maryland. Updated 2009.