What is mirtazapine used for?

Mirtazapine is mainly used to treat depression or to prevent it from occurring again.

To get mirtazapine, you must have a prescription written for you by a doctor.

Your doctor might prescribe mirtazapine for another reason.

If you are unsure about why you are taking mirtazapine, ask your doctor.

How does mirtazapine work?

Medical experts believe mirtazapine works by fixing chemical imbalances in the brain that are thought to be part of depression. The chemicals involved are serotonin and noradrenaline.

What forms of mirtazapine are available?

Mirtazapine is the name of the active ingredient. It is available in many different brands, which have different:

• names
• appearances (size, shape or colour)
• forms (tablets and disintegrating tablets)
• packaging

No matter which brand you are prescribed, mirtazapine works in the same way to treat depression.

What are the possible risks of taking mirtazapine?

Common side effects of mirtazapine include:

• fluid retention and swelling
• increased appetite
• drowsiness and tiredness
• weakness
• weight gain

Rare but serious side effects of mirtazapine include:

• itching or a skin rash
• low sodium levels
• feeling extremely restless and having an overwhelming urge to always be moving
• numbness in the mouth
• unusual changes in behaviour
• eye pain
• muscle pain
• weakness
• nausea or vomiting

Each person responds to medicines differently. Just because a side effect is listed does not mean you will experience it. Even if you experience a side effect, you and your doctor will need to weigh up the medicine's benefits against its risks before deciding what to do. This could be deciding to make no changes, change the dose or switch to another treatment option.

If you are planning to stop taking mirtazapine, talk to your doctor. It is important not to stop mirtazapine suddenly, as it may cause nausea, headache, dizziness and anxiety.

For more information on the side effects and risks, read the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) for the brand of mirtazapine you are taking.

Alternatives to mirtazapine

Your doctor might prescribe another type of antidepressant medicine or suggest that you try psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

There might be other approaches that can help, such as getting regular exercise and looking for pleasurable things to do each day. You can undertake CBT and other treatments in combination with antidepressant medicine or alone.

More information

Asking about your treatment or medication is important to help you understand your options. Read our guide to important questions to ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking a medicine.

You can also visit healthdirect's list of medicines that contain mirtazapine to read the CMI for the brand of mirtazapine prescribed.