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Remeron
is a medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) for the treatment of depression in June 1997. Remeron
was the first drug in a new class of antidepressants with a
unique ability to target specific serotonin receptors. Along
with its efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe depression,
Remeron has proven to be effective for treating anxiety, motor
retardation, and cognitive and sleep disturbances associated
with depression.
Directions
Remeron
is taken once a day at bedtime. Simply remove the protective packaging
and place the tablet on your tongue. Remeron can be taken with
or without water. The orange-flavored tablet disintegrates on
your tongue in less than 30 seconds. To protect Remeron, keep
the tablet in its original packaging until you are ready to take
it. Remeron should be used immediately on removal from the protective
package.
Side Effects
Approximately
half of the patients who take Remeron (mirtazapine) develop sleepiness.
For this reason, Remeron usually is taken at bedtime. In clinical
trials, about 1 in 10 persons had to stop therapy because of this
side effect. About 1 in 14 persons develop dizziness, and 1 in
6 develop an increase in appetite. Some persons experience weight
gain, sometimes requiring discontinuation of treatment. Remeron
may increase blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. One
in four persons develops a dry mouth. If antidepressants such
as Remeron are discontinued abruptly, symptoms may occur such
as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in
the sense of smell, taste, etc. (Such symptoms even may occur
when even a few doses of antidepressant are missed.) Therefore,
it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced gradually
when therapy is discontinued. For more information, consult your
pharmacist of physician about stopping Remeron treatment.
Precautions
Do not take Remeron if you are currently taking,
or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAIs) within the
past 14 days. Consult with your doctor before you begin treatment
with Remeron. You may not be able to take Remeron if you have
liver disease, kidney disease, manic-depressive disorder, blood
problems, high or low blood pressure, heart disease, or suffer
from seizures.
Drug Interactions
Remeron (mirtazapine) adds to the sedating effects
of alcohol and other drugs that can cause sedation such as the
benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., Valium, Ativan,
Klonopin, Xanax), the narcotic class of pain medications and its
derivatives (e.g., Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Codeine, Darvon),
the tricyclic class of antidepressants (e.g., Elavil, Tofranil,
Norpramin), certain antihypertensive medications (e.g., Catapres,
Inderal), and some antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl; Atarax; Vistaril).
Because of the possibility of developing increased body temperature
(hyperpyrexia), high blood pressure, or seizures, use of mirtazapine
is not recommended together with monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOI's), such as furazolidone (Furoxone), phenelzine (Nardil),
procarbazine (Matulane), selegiline (Carbex), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate). An interval of 14 days is recommended between stopping
MAOI therapy and starting Remeron (mirtazapine) and vice versa.
More Anti-Depressants
Celexa is a drug that was released by the Forest Pharmaceuticals corporation aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Celexa on July 17, 1998. Celexa is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. The effects of this medication can usually be seen in two to three weeks, though some patients may require four or more weeks to feel better.
Lexapro [escitalopram] is an antidepressant that works by boosting levels of serotonin, one of the chief chemical messengers in the brain. The drug is a close chemical cousin of the antidepressant medication Celexa. Other antidepressants that work by raising serotonin levels include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.
Luvox is the brand name for Fluvoxamine, an antidepressant and antiobsessional drug. Luvox is a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is often prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This drug is used to relieve anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that cause a person to repeat certain tasks.
Paxil (Paroxetine) is an antidepressant used to treat major depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and generalized anxiety disorder.
Prozac is an antidepressant often prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.
Remeron is a medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in June 1997. Remeron was the first drug in a new class of antidepressants with a unique ability to target specific serotonin receptors. Along with its efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe depression, Remeron has proven to be effective for treating anxiety, motor retardation, and cognitive and sleep disturbances associated with depression.
Wellbutrin is a relatively new antidepressant medication and is prescribed to help relieve certain kinds of major depression. As with other antidepressants, it is unknown exactly how Wellbutrin works. Scientists believe that Wellbutrin treats depression by affecting two chemicals in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. These are two of the chemicals that are believed to help regulate your mood.
Zoloft is an antidepressant drug that was released by the Pfizer corporation in 1991 which aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Zoloft in October of 1997. Zoloft is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells.
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