Remeron side effects: A detailed guide

This article describes possible side effects of Remeron. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Remeron, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.

Remeron is a brand-name medication that comes in two forms:

• an oral tablet that you swallow
• a disintegrating tablet that you allow to dissolve on your tongue

It’s also available in a generic version called mirtazapine. This article describes possible side effects of Remeron.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Remeron has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adult patients. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of Remeron in detail” section below.

More common side effects of Remeron

Remeron may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of Remeron include:

• drowsiness*
• increased appetite
• weight gain
• dizziness

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Remeron in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of Remeron

Remeron may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Remeron that occurred in studies include:

• atypical dreams
• back pain
• constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness*
• dry mouth
• flu-like symptoms
• increased appetite
• nausea
• weakness
• weight gain
• mild allergic reaction*

Remeron may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Remeron in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of Remeron

Remeron may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Remeron, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Remeron.

Serious side effects of Remeron that occurred in studies include:

• high cholesterol or high triglycerides
• a heart rhythm condition called QT prolongation
• low blood sodium
• low white blood cell count, including agranulocytosis
• serotonin syndrome
• antidepressant discontinuation syndrome*
• severe drowsiness*
• risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors†
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Remeron in detail” section below.
† Remeron has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of Remeron in detail” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Common questions about side effects of Remeron

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Remeron. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Will Remeron 15 mg cause fewer side effects than Remeron 30 mg?

Maybe. In general, lower doses of a drug are less likely to cause side effects compared with higher dosages. For example, a dose of 15 milligrams (mg) may pose less risk of side effects compared with a dose of 30 mg. But studies of Remeron didn’t compare the frequency of side effects across different dosages of the drug.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about your risk of side effects from taking Remeron, including how your dosage affects this risk.

Is Remeron safe for older adults?

It depends. Older adults (ages 65 years and older) were included in studies of Remeron. There were no unique side effects reported in older adults compared with those reported in younger adults.

That said, certain side effects of Remeron are more likely to affect older adults. These side effects include drowsiness and low blood sodium level. Also, older adults are more likely to have a kidney condition. And, having a kidney condition can raise the risk of side effects Remeron may cause.

Due to these risks, doctors often start by prescribing a low Remeron starting dose to older adults. Then, they can slowly increase the dose over time if needed to treat your depression symptoms.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about your risk of side effects from taking Remeron based on your health history, including your age.

Does Remeron cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases Remeron may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with Remeron include:

• high level of fat in the blood, such as high cholesterol or high triglycerides
• weight gain
• discontinuation syndrome*

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of Remeron may last.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Remeron in detail” section below.

Side effects of Remeron in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Remeron.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Remeron has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Studies have shown that antidepressant drugs, including Remeron, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults (ages 24 years and younger).

In these same studies, antidepressants decreased this risk in adults ages 25 years and above. Keep in mind that Remeron is not approved for any use in children.

Symptoms of suicidal thoughts and behaviors include:

• expressing a belief that you wish you weren’t alive or that others would be better off without you
• wanting to avoid social contact and staying away from other people
• wanting to give away your possessions or acting as if you may not see people again

Ways to manage

If you experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors while taking Remeron, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

Your doctor may suggest that you stop taking Remeron and explore other treatments for depression if you experience this side effect.

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS) was rare in studies of people taking Remeron. This side effect is usually mild but may be serious.

With ADS, you experience side effects after stopping treatment with Remeron. Symptoms may include:

• nausea and vomiting
• electric shock, numbing, or tingling sensations
• feeling agitated, anxious, or confused
• tremor

Suddenly stopping treatment can increase the risk of ADS with Remeron.

Ways to manage

To lower your risk of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, you should not suddenly stop taking Remeron. Instead, talk with your doctor if you want to discontinue taking the medication.

Your doctor can design a drug taper for you to follow. With a drug taper, your dosage of a drug is slowly lowered over time until it’s safe to stop taking it.

Drowsiness

Mild drowsiness was common in studies of people taking Remeron. This side effect is usually mild, but may be serious. Severe drowsiness is rare, but may affect your attention and coordination the day after taking a dose of Remeron.

Drowsiness causes you to feel excessively sleepy. With severe drowsiness, you may feel extremely sleepy or even fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as during work or while in class.

Certain factors can increase the risk of drowsiness with Remeron. These include consuming alcohol or taking certain medications together with Remeron. Examples of these medications include benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium).

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of drowsiness that bother you, tell your doctor. They may recommend stopping treatment with Remeron and exploring other treatments for your depression.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Remeron can cause an allergic reaction. These can include a severe hypersensitivity reaction called DRESS syndrome.

With DRESS syndrome, in addition to skin rash and fever, other body organs are affected by inflammation. Symptoms of DRESS syndrome vary depending on the parts of the body affected.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Remeron, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for Remeron

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Remeron.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Remeron has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adult patients. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of Remeron in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Remeron if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Remeron is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking Remeron, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• bipolar disorder or mania
• epilepsy or seizures
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• liver conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease
• long QT syndrome or other heart arrhythmia
• past allergic reaction to Remeron

Remeron and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Remeron should be taken during pregnancy. However, it is known that stopping treatment with an antidepressant due to pregnancy can increase the risk of a relapse of depression, including postpartum depression.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. They can review the benefits and risks of Remeron and other treatments when used during pregnancy.

Remeron and breastfeeding

In general, Remeron is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. That said, check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically.

Remeron and alcohol

Remeron is known to interact with alcohol.

It may be best to avoid consuming alcohol while taking Remeron. Drinking alcohol while taking Remeron raises the risk of drowsiness and problems with coordination as side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Remeron.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of Remeron. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

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

• Does Remeron cause sexual side effects?
• How do the side effects of Remeron compare with those of duloxetine or sertraline?
• Do Remeron and Wellbutrin have similar side effects?
• Do any medications I take interact with Remeron and increase my risk of side effects?

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.