Tazadep (Mirtazapine)

Dosage form:

Film coated tablets 7.5, 15, 30, 45 mg

What is Tazadep (mirtazapine) used for?

• It is used to treat low mood (depression).
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Depression is linked to a shortage of substances which carry messages in the brain (including serotonin and noradrenaline). Tazadep (mirtazapine) helps to relieve the shortage of these ‘brain messages’. Common signs of depression include feelings of worthlessness or deep sadness; difficulty with everyday tasks; sleeping too much or not being able to sleep; feeling anxious; and changes in appetite.

Important notes before taking Tazadep (mirtazapine):

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to mirtazapine or any other part of this drug. 
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these drugs: Diazepam, linezolid, or methylene blue.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine or drugs used for Parkinson’s disease like selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days. Taking Tazadep (mirtazapine) within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Important notes while taking Tazadep (mirtazapine):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• It may take several weeks to see the full effects.
• Do not stop taking Tazadep (mirtazapine) all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If you need to stop this drug, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
• Call your doctor right away if you have eye pain, change in eyesight, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had a low white blood cell count. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat.
• Tell your doctor if you have an unsafe heartbeat that is not normal (long QT on ECG).
• This drug may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• If you are taking warfarin, talk with your doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking mirtazapine.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant, or breast-feeding.

Tazadep (mirtazapine) side effects:

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• Signs of low sodium levels like headache, trouble focusing, memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or change in balance;
• Flu-like signs;
• Mouth irritation or mouth sores;
• Restlessness;
• A fast heartbeat or heartbeat that does not feel normal;
• Dizziness;
• Joint pain.

Serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if you take mirtazapine with drugs for depression, migraines, or certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; very bad diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache.

A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Feeling sleepy;
• Dizziness;
• Constipation;
• Dry mouth;
• More hungry;
• Weight gain;
• Feeling tired or weak;
• Strange or odd dreams.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Just skip that dose and take your next one at the normal time. 

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Keep this drug out of reach of children.
• Store Tazadep (mirtazapine) in the original package.
• Do not use this drug after expiry date. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.