Remeron Side Effects Center

Last updated on RxList: 9/29/2022
Remeron Side Effects Center

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

What Is Remeron?

Remeron (mirtazapine) is a tetracyclic antidepressant used to treat depression. Remeron is available in generic form (mirtazapine). Remeron has been used to treat:

  • nausea,
  • anxiety,
  • post traumatic stress syndrome, and
  • used as an appetite stimulant

What Are Side Effects of Remeron?

Remeron may cause serious side effects including:

  • feeling restless,
  • racing thoughts,
  • decreased need for sleep,
  • unusual risk-taking behavior,
  • feelings of extreme happiness or sadness,
  • being more talkative than usual,
  • blurred vision,
  • tunnel vision,
  • eye pain or swelling,
  • seeing halos around lights,
  • lightheadedness,
  • fever,
  • chills,
  • sore throat,
  • mouth sores,
  • changes in weight or appetite,
  • severe rash, blisters, or swelling on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet,
  • convulsions (seizure),
  • headache,
  • confusion,
  • slurred speech,
  • severe weakness,
  • vomiting,
  • loss of coordination, and
  • feeling unsteady

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Remeron include:

  • drowsiness
  • increased appetite
  • weight gain
  • dizziness, and
  • nausea

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Remeron including:

  • agitation,
  • hallucinations,
  • fever,
  • fast or uneven heart rate,
  • loss of coordination or feeling unsteady,
  • stiff muscles,
  • confusion,
  • tremors,
  • flu symptoms,
  • memory problems,
  • weakness,
  • overactive reflexes,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • diarrhea,
  • loss of coordination,
  • sweating,
  • feeling like you might pass out,
  • chills,
  • body aches,
  • white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips,
  • headache, or
  • trouble concentrating.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Remeron

Remeron is usually given as tablets 15 - 45 mg/day, administered in a single dose, preferably in the evening before sleep, with or without food. Dosages are increased, if necessary, slowly over one to two weeks. Serious side effects, such as suicide risk, behavior changes and an increase in depression have been documented.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Remeron?

Remeron should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI).

Remeron can increase the sedating effects of:

Remeron During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

This drug is not approved for pediatric patients. Pregnant and lactating females should consult with their physicians before starting this drug.

Additional Information

Our Remeron Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

SLIDESHOW

Learn to Spot Depression: Symptoms, Warning Signs, Medication See Slideshow
Remeron Consumer Information

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, joint pain, fever, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, being more talkative than usual;
  • blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • severe rash, blisters, or swelling on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;
  • a seizure;
  • low white blood cell counts--fever, chills, sore throat, cough, sores in your mouth or nose, flu-like symptoms, trouble breathing; or
  • low sodium level --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects include:

  • drowsiness, dizziness;
  • increased appetite; or
  • weight gain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

QUESTION

Depression is a(n) __________ . See Answer
Remeron Professional Information

SIDE EFFECTS

The following adverse reactions are described in more detail in other sections of the prescribing information:

  • Hypersensitivity [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]
  • Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Agranulocytosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Serotonin Syndrome [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS]
  • Angle-Closure Glaucoma [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • QT Prolongation and Torsades de Pointes [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Increased Appetite and Weight Gain [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Somnolence [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Activation of Mania or Hypomania [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Seizures [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Elevated Cholesterol and Triglycerides [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Hyponatremia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Transaminase Elevations [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Discontinuation Syndrome [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Use in Patients with Concomitant Illness [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

Clinical Trial Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The data described below are from clinical trials in which REMERON/REMERONSolTab was administered to 2796 patients in phase 2 and 3 clinical studies. The trials consisted of double-blind controlled and open-label studies, inpatient and outpatient studies, fixed dose, and titration studies.

Adverse Reactions Leading To Discontinuation Of Treatment

Approximately 16% of the 453 patients who received REMERON in U.S. 6-week placebo-controlled clinical trials discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction, compared to 7% of the 361 placebotreated patients in those studies. The most common reactions leading to discontinuation (≥1% and at a rate at least twice that of placebo) are included in Table 2.

Table 2: Adverse Reactions (≥1% and at least twice placebo) Leading to Discontinuation of REMERON in 6-Week Clinical Trials in Patients with MDD

REMERON
(n=453)
Placebo
(n=361)
Somnolence 10.4% 2.2%
Nausea 1.5% 0%

Common Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (≥5% and twice placebo) associated with the use of REMERON are listed in Table 3.

Table 3: Adverse Reactions (≥5% and twice placebo) in 6-Week U.S. Clinical Trials of REMERON in Patients with MDD

REMERON
(n=453)
Placebo
(n=361)
Somnolence 54% 18%
Increased Appetite 17% 2%
Weight Gain 12% 2%
Dizziness 7% 3%

Table 4 enumerates adverse reactions that occurred in ≥1% of REMERON-treated patients, and were more frequent than the placebo-treated patients, who participated in 6-week, U.S. placebo-controlled trials in which patients were dosed in a range of 5 to 60 mg/day. This table shows the percentage of patients in each group who had at least 1 episode of an adverse reaction at some time during their treatment.

Table 4: Adverse Reactions (≥1% and greater than placebo) in 6-Week U.S. Clinical Studies of Remeron in Patients with MDD

REMERON
(n=453)
Placebo
(n=361)
Body as a Whole
  Asthenia 8% 5%
  Flu Syndrome 5% 3%
  Back Pain 2% 1%
Digestive System
  Dry Mouth 25% 15%
  Increased Appetite 17% 2%
  Constipation 13% 7%
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders
  Weight Gain 12% 2%
  Peripheral Edema 2% 1%
  Edema 1% 0%
Musculoskeletal System
  Myalgia 2% 1%
Nervous System
  Somnolence 54% 18%
  Dizziness 7% 3%
  Abnormal Dreams 4% 1%
  Thinking Abnormal 3% 1%
  Tremor 2% 1%
  Confusion 2% 0%
Respiratory System
  Dyspnea 1% 0%
Urogenital System
  Urinary Frequency 2% 1%

ECG Changes

The electrocardiograms for 338 patients who received REMERON and 261 patients who received placebo in 6-week, placebo-controlled trials were analyzed. REMERON was associated with a mean increase in heart rate of 3.4 bpm, compared to 0.8 bpm for placebo. The clinical significance of these changes is unknown.

Other Adverse Reactions Observed During The Premarketing Evaluation Of REMERON

The following list does not include reactions: 1) already listed in previous tables or elsewhere in labeling, 2) for which a drug cause was remote, 3) which were so general or excessively specific so as to be uninformative, 4) which were not considered to have significant clinical implications, or 5) which occurred at a rate equal to or less than placebo.

Adverse reactions are categorized by body system according to the following definitions: frequent adverse reactions are those occurring in at least 1/100 patients; infrequent adverse reactions are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 patients; rare adverse reactions are those occurring in fewer than 1/1000 patients.

Body as a Whole: frequent:malaise, abdominal pain, abdominal syndrome acute; infrequent: chills, fever, face edema, ulcer, photosensitivity reaction, neck rigidity, neck pain, abdomen enlarged; rare: cellulitis, chest pain substernal.

Cardiovascular System: frequent: hypertension, vasodilatation; infrequent: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, bradycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, syncope, migraine, hypotension; rare:atrial arrhythmia, bigeminy, vascular headache, pulmonary embolus, cerebral ischemia, cardiomegaly, phlebitis, left heart failure.

Digestive System: frequent: vomiting, anorexia; infrequent: eructation, glossitis, cholecystitis, nausea and vomiting, gum hemorrhage, stomatitis, colitis, liver function tests abnormal; rare:tongue discoloration, ulcerative stomatitis, salivary gland enlargement, increased salivation, intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, aphthous stomatitis, cirrhosis of liver, gastritis, gastroenteritis, oral moniliasis, tongue edema.

Endocrine System: rare: goiter, hypothyroidism.

Hemic and Lymphatic System: rare: lymphadenopathy, leukopenia, petechia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphocytosis, pancytopenia.

Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: frequent: thirst; infrequent: dehydration, weight loss; rare: gout, SGOT increased, healing abnormal, acid phosphatase increased, SGPT increased, diabetes mellitus, hyponatremia.

Musculoskeletal System: frequent: myasthenia, arthralgia; infrequent: arthritis, tenosynovitis; rare: pathologic fracture, osteoporosis fracture, bone pain, myositis, tendon rupture, arthrosis, bursitis.

Nervous System: frequent: hypesthesia, apathy, depression, hypokinesia, vertigo, twitching, agitation, anxiety, amnesia, hyperkinesia, paresthesia; infrequent: ataxia, delirium, delusions, depersonalization, dyskinesia, extrapyramidal syndrome, libido increased, coordination abnormal, dysarthria, hallucinations, manic reaction, neurosis, dystonia, hostility, reflexes increased, emotional lability, euphoria, paranoid reaction; rare: aphasia, nystagmus, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), stupor, dementia, diplopia, drug dependence, paralysis, grand mal convulsion, hypotonia, myoclonus, psychotic depression, withdrawal syndrome, serotonin syndrome.

Respiratory System: frequent: cough increased, sinusitis; infrequent: epistaxis, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia; rare:asphyxia, laryngitis, pneumothorax, hiccup.

Skin and Appendages: frequent: pruritus, rash; infrequent: acne, exfoliative dermatitis, dry skin, herpes simplex, alopecia; rare: urticaria, herpes zoster, skin hypertrophy, seborrhea, skin ulcer.

Special Senses: infrequent: eye pain, abnormality of accommodation, conjunctivitis, deafness, keratoconjunctivitis, lacrimation disorder, angle-closure glaucoma, hyperacusis, ear pain; rare: blepharitis, partial transitory deafness, otitis media, taste loss, parosmia.

Urogenital System: frequent: urinary tract infection; infrequent: kidney calculus, cystitis, dysuria, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, vaginitis, hematuria, breast pain, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, impotence; rare: polyuria, urethritis, metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, abnormal ejaculation, breast engorgement, breast enlargement, urinary urgency.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of REMERON. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Cardiac disorders: ventricular arrhythmia (Torsades de Pointes)

Endocrine disorders: hyperprolactinemia (and related symptoms, e.g., galactorrhea and gynecomastia) Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: increased creatine kinase blood levels and rhabdomyolysis

Psychiatric disorders: somnambulism (ambulation and other complex behaviors out of bed)

Reproductive system and breast disorders: priapism

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: severe skin reactions, including DRESS, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bullous dermatitis, erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Table 5 includes clinically important drug interactions with REMERON/REMERONSolTab [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Table 5: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with REMERON/REMERONSolTab

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs, including REMERON/REMERONSolTab, and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Intervention REMERON/REMERONSolTab is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue
Other Serotonergic Drugs
Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with REMERON/REMERONSolTab increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Intervention Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dosage increases. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of REMERON/REMERONSolTab and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Examples SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, amphetamines, St. John’s Wort, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone
Strong CYP3A Inducers
Clinical Impact The concomitant use of strong CYP3A inducers with REMERON/REMERONSolTab decreases the plasma concentration of mirtazapine [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Intervention Increase the dose of REMERON/REMERONSolTab if needed with concomitant CYP3A inducer use. Conversely, a decrease in dosage of REMERON/REMERONSolTab may be needed if the CYP3A inducer is discontinued [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Examples phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin
Strong CYP3A Inhibitors
Clinical Impact The concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors with REMERON/REMERONSolTab may increase the plasma concentration of mirtazapine [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Intervention Decrease the dose of REMERON/REMERONSolTab if needed with concomitant strong CYP3A inhibitor use. Conversely, an increase in dosage of REMERON/REMERONSolTab may be needed if the CYP3A inhibitor is discontinued [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Examples itraconazole, ritonavir, nefazodone
Cimetidine
Clinical Impact The concomitant use of cimetidine, a CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A inhibitor, with REMERON/REMERONSolTab may increase the plasma concentration of mirtazapine [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Intervention Decrease the dose of REMERON/REMERONSolTab if needed with concomitant cimetidine use. Conversely, an increase in dosage of REMERON/REMERONSolTab may be needed if cimetidine is discontinued [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Benzodiazepines and Alcohol
Clinical Impact The concomitant use of benzodiazepines or alcohol with REMERON/REMERONSolTab increases the impairment of cognitive and motor skills produced by REMERON/REMERONSolTab alone.
Intervention Avoid concomitant use of benzodiazepines and alcohol with REMERON/REMERONSolTab [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Examples diazepam, alprazolam, alcohol
Drugs that Prolong QTc Interval
Clinical Impact The concomitant use of other drugs which prolong the QTc interval with REMERON/REMERONSolTab, increase the risk of QT prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., Torsades de Pointes).
Intervention Use caution when using REMERON/REMERONSolTab concomitantly with drugs that prolong the QTc interval [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Warfarin
Clinical Impact The concomitant use of warfarin with REMERON/REMERONSolTab may result in an increase in INR [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Intervention Monitor INR during concomitant use of warfarin with REMERON/REMERONSolTab.

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Remeron (Mirtazapine)

© Remeron Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Remeron Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.

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