mirtazapine
Brand names: Remeron
Mirtazapine is a medicine used to treat depression in adults. It can help improve your mood and energy levels.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$5.89/unit
Generic Price
$0.30/unit
Generic Savings
95%
Generic Available
Yes (7 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Mirtazapine is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
Common side effects
Feeling sleepy, Increased appetite, Weight gain
Key warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults.
How It Works
Mirtazapine works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. It helps to increase the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. These chemicals can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
How to Take It
Take mirtazapine once a day, preferably in the evening before you go to sleep. You can start with 15 mg per day. Your doctor may increase the dose up to 45 mg per day if needed. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Mirtazapine should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store mirtazapine at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 39,969 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 87,759 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2003–2025.
Total Reports
87,759
Death-Related Reports
13,537
Hospitalization Reports
36,013
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAUSEA | 4,838 |
| 2 | FATIGUE | 4,715 |
| 3 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 4,596 |
| 4 | FALL | 4,027 |
| 5 | DIARRHOEA | 3,961 |
| 6 | OFF LABEL USE | 3,836 |
| 7 | TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS | 3,703 |
| 8 | ANXIETY | 3,472 |
| 9 | DIZZINESS | 3,429 |
| 10 | DYSPNOEA | 3,394 |
| 11 | DEATH | 3,322 |
| 12 | DRUG INTERACTION | 3,249 |
| 13 | DEPRESSION | 3,210 |
| 14 | VOMITING | 3,192 |
| 15 | HEADACHE | 3,058 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. Your doctor should closely watch you for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Mirtazapine is not approved for use in children.
Known Drug Interactions
Intervention Mirtazapine is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with mirtazapine increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Mechanism: Linezolid blocks the breakdown of a brain chemical called serotonin, and adding mirtazapine can cause levels to become dangerously high.
What to do: Do not take these two medications at the same time because the combination is considered unsafe and can cause a life-threatening reaction.
Examples diazepam, alprazolam, alcohol Drugs that Prolong QTc Interval Clinical Impact The concomitant use of other drugs which prolong the QTc interval with mirtazapine, increase the risk of QTc prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., Torsades de Pointes).
Mechanism: Taking these two drugs together can change the electrical timing of your heartbeat. This increases the risk of developing a dangerous irregular heart rhythm.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your heart rhythm closely if you take these together. Tell your provider right away if you feel dizzy or like your heart is racing.
Examples diazepam, alprazolam, alcohol Drugs that Prolong QTc Interval Clinical Impact The concomitant use of other drugs which prolong the QTc interval with mirtazapine, increase the risk of QTc prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., Torsades de Pointes).
Mechanism: Both medications can interfere with the heart's electrical system when used at the same time. This can lead to serious heart rhythm issues that may be life-threatening.
What to do: Your healthcare provider should check your heart's electrical activity with an EKG. Report any fainting or chest palpitations to your doctor immediately.
Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with mirtazapine increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Mechanism: Both of these medicines increase the level of a brain chemical called serotonin. Taking them together can cause serotonin to reach dangerous levels in the body.
What to do: Do not take these medicines together. Your doctor will manage the timing of when you start or stop each medication.
Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with mirtazapine increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Mechanism: These drugs both work by raising serotonin levels in your system. Using them at the same time increases the risk of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
What to do: Avoid this combination and talk to your doctor about safer treatment options.
Common Questions
Can I stop taking mirtazapine suddenly?
Can mirtazapine cause weight gain?
Can I drink alcohol while taking mirtazapine?
How long does it take for mirtazapine to start working?
What should I do if I experience side effects?
Can mirtazapine interact with other medications?
What if I have kidney problems?
What if I have liver problems?
Can mirtazapine cause glaucoma?
Can mirtazapine cause sleepiness?
What are the common side effects of mirtazapine?
Does mirtazapine interact with other medications?
What drug class is mirtazapine?
Is there a generic version of mirtazapine?
Is mirtazapine safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressant (NaSSA)
Other drugs grouped near mirtazapine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
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alprazolam
Xanax
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amitriptyline
Elavil
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amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
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aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for mirtazapine
The FDA label for mirtazapine (sold under brand names such as Remeron) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressant (NaSSA) class. Mirtazapine is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Feeling sleepy, Increased appetite, Weight gain.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 39,969 voluntary reports. The database also lists 29 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.30 versus $5.89 for the brand — a 95% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: August 1, 2022
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages