Remeron

Remeron Uses:
Remeron (mirtazapine), manufactured by Organon Inc., is a medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in June 1997.

Remeron was the first drug in a new class of antidepressants with a unique ability to target specific serotonin receptors. Along with its efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe depression, Remeron has proven to be effective for treating anxiety, motor retardation, and cognitive and sleep disturbances associated with depression.

How To Take Remeron:
Remeron is available in both 15 mg (yellow) and 30 mg (red-brown) tablets. It is also available in Sol-Tabs preparation that is dissolved under the tongue for those who have difficulty swallowing pills. The recommended starting dose is 15 mg per day given in a single dose before bedtime, and it can be taken with or without food. It is recommended that one to two weeks pass before making upward dosage adjustments, in small increments. The effective dose range of Remeron is generally 15-45 mg/day, but some patients do well with even higher doses. In patients with liver and kidney disease, a smaller dose may be appropriate. As with other antidepressants, it may take several weeks of therapy before improvement is noticeable.

Side Effects Of Remeron:
The most commonly reported drug-related side effects were drowsiness, increased appetite, weight gain, and dizziness. In studies, drowsiness generally appeared during the first week of treatment but decreased in intensity over time, even as dosages increased. Other side effects may also lessen in severity, or go away, with prolonged use of the drug. However, weight gain can sometimes be a persistent problem.

In clinical trials, two out of 2,796 consumers treated with Remeron developed agranulocytosis and a third consumer developed severe neutropenia -- both potentially dangerous decreases in white blood cell counts that cause extreme vulnerability to infection. These consumers recovered after Remeron was stopped. However, it should be noted that if a consumer develops a sore throat, fever, inflammation of the mouth, or other signs of infection, he or she should discontinue treatment with Remeron under the supervision of a doctor. Since the introduction of Remeron in the U.S. in 1997, agranulocytosis has not been a problem and most scientists now believe it is not a specific side effect of Remeron.

Remeron Interactions:
Never combine Remeron with an MAO inhibitor; and do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. If Remeron is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Remeron with tranquilizers such as Valium, Xanax, and Ativan.

About Remeron:
Remeron has a tetracyclic chemical structure that causes it to act differently from other common antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclics). While stimulating norepinephrine and serotonin release, Remeron also has the unique ability to block two specific serotonin receptors, thus causing fewer serotonergic side effects (such as decreased interest in sex, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, and diarrhea). In studies, the use of Remeron, compared with tricyclic antidepressants, also resulted in fewer anticholinergic symptoms (blurred vision, dry mouth, indigestion, and constipation), cardiovascular symptoms, and cognitive disturbances. Additionally, Remeron has a relatively high safety margin in case of overdose and a low tendency to cause seizures. It causes no significant changes in vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, or body temperature) or ECG.