Two medicines, side by side
Mirtazapine vs duloxetine
Mirtazapine and duloxetine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of mirtazapine since 1996 and of duloxetine since 2004. Pharmacies paid $0.063 per mirtazapine 15 mg tablet and $0.102 per duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the mirtazapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 6, 2025); the duloxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2024).
Highlights of the mirtazapine record
Mirtazapine (Remeron) · label of August 6, 2025
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. REMERON/REMERONSolTab is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsREMERON/REMERONSolTab are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. REMERON/REMERONSolTab is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 14, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.063 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the duloxetine record
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) · label of May 14, 2024
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDRIZALMA SPRINKLE is indicated for the treatment of: • Major Depressive Disorder in adults • Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in adults • Fibromyalgia in adults • Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in adults Additional pediatric use information is approved for Eli Lilly and Company, Inc.’s CYMBALTA (duloxetine delayed-release capsules). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 3, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 56
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Mirtazapine label of August 6, 2025, Duloxetine label of May 14, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do mirtazapine and duloxetine differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Mirtazapine, “The mechanism of action of mirtazapine for the treatment of major depressive disorder, is unclear.”; Duloxetine, “Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Mirtazapine, “Elimination Mirtazapine has a half-life of about 20 to 40 hours following oral administration of REMERON or …”; Duloxetine, “Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: mirtazapine since 2003; duloxetine since 2013 (Drugs@FDA).
| Mirtazapine | Duloxetine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression, Anxiety, Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of mirtazapine for the treatment of major depressive disorder, is unclear. | Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation of serotonergic and noradrenergic … |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Mirtazapine has a half-life of about 20 to 40 hours following oral administration of REMERON or REMERONSolTab. | Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 14, 1996 | August 3, 2004 |
| First generic approved | January 24, 2003 | December 11, 2013 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.063 per tablet (Mirtazapine 15 mg tablet) | $0.102 per capsule (Duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +31% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 56 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 91,057 | 69,298 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Mirtazapine label, warnings and precautionsIncreased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRI, SNRI, triptans), but also when taken alone.
Duloxetine label, drug interactionsExamples Selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, intravenous methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of duloxetine with other serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to mirtazapine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions