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Mirtazapine is an antidepressant that’s commonly sold under the brand name Remeron. If you’re struggling with depression that’s further complicated by anxiety or insomnia, your doctor may suggest trying mirtazapine to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
However, when it’s prescribed for the first time, you may have questions regarding the nature of the drug, such as is Remeron a benzo or is mirtazapine a narcotic? You might also ask, is mirtazapine addictive, or do mirtazapine and alcohol interact? Learning about the various Remeron uses and the drug’s role in popular culture can help answer these questions.
What Is Mirtazapine?
Mirtazapine is an antidepressant drug taken in pill form. It’s a newer tetracyclic piperazine-azepine antidepressant that was originally approved in the Netherlands in 1994. It was intended for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Today, it’s also used to treat other conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders. It’s an SNRI, or serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
Notably, the drug was found in actor and comedian Robin Williams’ system following his tragic suicide in 2014. While it isn’t addictive, users sometimes become physically dependent on it. For those individuals, stopping the drug suddenly can result in unpleasant symptoms over the short term.
As it’s a fairly new antidepressant, MarketWatch predicts that the market for mirtazapine will grow at a steady rate between 2021 and 2027.
How Do You Identify Mirtazapine aka Remeron?
Mirtazapine is a circular pill and beige in color. If you’re unsure what tablet you’re looking at — for instance, if your medication spills in your luggage — use a pill identifier. Never take a drug if you’re not sure what you’re consuming.
Mirtazapine doesn’t have any street or slang names, but its brand names differ from the official drug name. In the United States, it is sold under the name Remeron or Remeron SolTab. In Canada, it’s sold as Remeron RD. In the U.K., it goes by the brand name Zispin SolTab. You can only legally purchase this drug by obtaining a prescription from your doctor.
Mirtazapine is taken orally at a dosage prescribed by a health care professional. Typically, it’s taken once a day, but your doctor may prescribe taking half the dosage twice a day. Many people take it in the evening before bed because the drug may cause drowsiness.
What Does Mirtazapine Do?
Mirtazapine belongs to a group of drugs called tetracyclic antidepressants. The medication works on your central nervous system to impact chemicals in the brain that may be out of balance, resulting in your depression.
Mirtazapine works by increasing the chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. An imbalance of these chemicals can result in various mood disorders, and the drug works to restore a healthy balance. It is suitable for most adults with depression, but there are some individuals who shouldn’t take it.
Mirtazapine can make it more challenging for individuals with diabetes to effectively manage their blood sugar. It can also cause low blood pressure, which may be problematic for individuals with heart conditions. If you have glaucoma, you should discuss the benefits of taking mirtazapine versus the potential risks with your doctor. It can increase eye pressure, potentially worsening the condition.
Taking mirtazapine may also be dangerous for individuals with epilepsy or those who’ve taken other antidepressants recently. Before starting mirtazapine, have an honest conversation with your doctor about other medications you’re taking. If you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you should also consult your doctor before taking mirtazapine.