Mirtazapine oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

Mirtazapine oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Remeron. Mirtazapine also comes as an orally disintegrating tablet that dissolves in your mouth, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.

This article describes mirtazapine oral tablet’s dosage, its strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for mirtazapine.

If you want to know more about mirtazapine oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Mirtazapine has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning. Also, see this article for ways to get support for someone having suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Form and strengths of mirtazapine

Mirtazapine comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 7.5 milligrams (mg), 15 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg

Dosage of mirtazapine

This article describes the recommended dosage* for mirtazapine oral tablet.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of mirtazapine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Be sure to review the “Boxed warning for mirtazapine” section below. It discusses a specific risk with mirtazapine, when it’s higher, and how it might relate to dosage changes.

* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.

Usual recommended dosage of mirtazapine in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of mirtazapine oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of mirtazapine oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for depression

The following dosage for depression is in milligrams (mg). A maintenance dosage is what you’ll take after your starting dosage for the remainder of your treatment.

• Starting dosage: 15 mg once per day
• Maintenance dosage: increase dosage slowly every 1 to 2 weeks as needed to manage symptoms
• Maximum dosage: 45 mg once per day

Dosage adjustments for mirtazapine

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of mirtazapine oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the severity of your condition
• side effects you may experience
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you may take

Missed dose of mirtazapine

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of mirtazapine oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of mirtazapine oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about mirtazapine oral tablet and its dosage.

Can mirtazapine be taken for sleep or anxiety? If so, what is the dosage?

It might be taken for sleep or anxiety, but these are not approved uses of mirtazapine. If your doctor prescribes the drug for either condition, it’s an off-label use. This is when a medication is used for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.

If you have questions about mirtazapine for sleep or anxiety, talk with your doctor. They can discuss this use and dosages of mirtazapine.

Is there a dose of mirtazapine that’s 60 mg per day?

No, this isn’t a recommended dose. The maximum recommended dosage of mirtazapine is 45 mg once per day. Taking a dose higher than what your doctor recommends can increase your risk of serious side effects.

If mirtazapine doesn’t seem to be working for you, call your doctor. Do not increase your dosage of the drug on your own.

Your doctor can discuss your treatment progress. If needed, they can discuss options to consider if mirtazapine isn’t working for you.

Are dosage adjustments of mirtazapine needed for older adults?

Yes, sometimes dosage adjustments are needed in older adults (ages 65 years and older). In some cases, older adults may need a lower dosage because their kidneys may function less effectively. Lower kidney function can cause mirtazapine to be removed from the body more slowly. And this can lead to an increased risk of side effects.

Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose of mirtazapine and see how you respond to treatment. They’ll determine the best dosage based on your health, age, and other factors.

If you have questions about your dosage, talk with your doctor.

Is mirtazapine taken long term?

Yes, doctors usually prescribe mirtazapine oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take mirtazapine oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How mirtazapine is taken

You’ll swallow mirtazapine oral tablet, usually once per day before bedtime.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication in the evening around the same time each day. Doing so helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. This can help the drug work more effectively. Also, you may find that side effects such as sleepiness or dizziness are less bothersome while you sleep.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Mirtazapine coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for mirtazapine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of mirtazapine

It’s important that you do not take more mirtazapine oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of mirtazapine overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• increased heart rate
• memory problems
• disorientation
• drowsiness

What to do if you take too much mirtazapine

If you think you’ve taken too much mirtazapine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosage for mirtazapine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of mirtazapine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take mirtazapine oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• If I’m having side effects, do I need a lower dosage of mirtazapine?
• Does my age affect my dosage?
• Will I need a dosage adjustment if I’m taking other medications with mirtazapine?

Boxed warning for mirtazapine

Mirtazapine has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant drug. These medications have been shown to raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some people. This includes children and young adults ages 24 years and younger. The risk is higher in the first few weeks to months of treatment. It’s also higher during dosage increases and dosage decreases.

Mirtazapine is not approved for use in children.

You, your family members, or caregivers should watch for changes or worsening in your mood, thoughts, or behavior. This includes thoughts of suicide. If someone notices any, they should call your doctor right away.

Your doctor will monitor you closely for changes in your mood or behavior during your mirtazapine treatment. This includes when you first start taking the drug and when you have any dosage adjustments. If they need to adjust your dosage, they’ll increase or decrease your dose slowly over 1 to 2 weeks to see how you respond.

You can talk with your doctor to learn more about this warning.

In this article, you can find ways to get support for yourself or someone having suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.