Mirtazapine, an antidepressant or mood elevator is used to treat depression. Mirtazapine is in a class of medications called antidepressants. It works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking mirtazapine,

• You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, especially at the beginning of your treatment and at any time your dose is increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any time if you have depression or other mental illness, whether or not you are taking mirtazapine or any other medication. You, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; severe restlessness; acting without thinking; aggressive behavior; irritability; difficulty falling or staying asleep; panic attacks; agitation; extreme worry; thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so; and frenzied, your family, abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
• Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking mirtazapine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking mirtazapine, call your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had, or anyone in your family has or has ever had, depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you have or anyone in your family has thought about or attempted suicide. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a heart attack, phenylketonuria, heart or liver disease, low blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially diazepam (Valium) and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to mirtazapine or any other drugs.

Before taking mirtazapine,

• You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, especially at the beginning of your treatment and at any time your dose is increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any time if you have depression or other mental illness, whether or not you are taking mirtazapine or any other medication. You, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; severe restlessness; acting without thinking; aggressive behavior; irritability; difficulty falling or staying asleep; panic attacks; agitation; extreme worry; thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so; and frenzied, your family, abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
• Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking mirtazapine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking mirtazapine, call your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had, or anyone in your family has or has ever had, depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you have or anyone in your family has thought about or attempted suicide. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a heart attack, phenylketonuria, heart or liver disease, low blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially diazepam (Valium) and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to mirtazapine or any other drugs.

Although side effects from mirtazapine are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• vomiting
• upset stomach
• constipation
• dry mouth
• increased weight and appetite
• confusion
• anxiousness
• dizziness
• drowsiness

If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• seizures
• fast heartbeat
• chest pain
• flu-like symptoms, mouth sores, sore throat, chills, fever, or other signs of infection

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Although side effects from mirtazapine are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• vomiting
• upset stomach
• constipation
• dry mouth
• increased weight and appetite
• confusion
• anxiousness
• dizziness
• drowsiness

If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• seizures
• fast heartbeat
• chest pain
• flu-like symptoms, mouth sores, sore throat, chills, fever, or other signs of infection

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.