Mirtazapine

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant used to treat depression. Mirtazapine is a tetracyclic antidepressant. It works by adjusting the levels of noradrenaline and serotonin in your brain. When you’re depressed, these chemical messengers are not as effective or active as usual. Mirtazapine increases the amount of these chemical messengers in the brain, which can help to improve mood. Depression, and other conditions like anxiety disorders, are not just caused by low serotonin levels, but a rise in serotonin levels and other neurotransmitters can improve symptoms and help you to feel better. 

Side effects are common when you first start taking a medication, some of the side effects of mirtazapine include:

• feeling hungrier and putting on weight

• feeling drowsy or sleepy

• not feeling like doing anything (lethargy) or feeling tired

• feeling dizzy or shaking

• feeling confused or anxious

• feeling or being sick

• diarrhoea (loose poo)

• rash or skin problems

• joint or muscle pain

• feeling dizzy or faint when you stand up suddenly

• swelling of the feet or ankles caused by fluid retention

• sleep problems and unusual dreams

If you have any concerns about taking mirtazapine please speak to your doctor.

Please do not worry about these side effects. Some people will not get any side effects at all. If you think you are getting side effects from taking mirtazapine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you do get a side effect, please think about reporting it via the 'Yellow Card' system.

If you have taken more mirtazapine than the dosage recommended by the doctor who prescribed it to you, you must get medial help immediately - even if you do not feel any different.