Is Mirtazapine (Remeron) 7.5 milligrams safe?

From the Guidelines

Mirtazapine 7.5 mg is generally considered safe when prescribed by a healthcare provider for appropriate conditions, typically depression or insomnia. This dose is actually on the lower end of the therapeutic range, as mirtazapine is commonly prescribed at doses between 15-45 mg. The 7.5 mg dose is often used initially to help patients adjust to the medication or for elderly patients who may be more sensitive to side effects. Common side effects at this dose include drowsiness, increased appetite, weight gain, and dry mouth. The sedative effects are typically strongest at lower doses like 7.5 mg, which is why it's usually taken at bedtime.

According to the study by Timmer et al. 1, the recommended therapeutic range for mirtazapine is 40-80 ng/mL, which suggests that the 7.5 mg dose is within the therapeutic range. However, individual factors such as age, weight, other medications, and medical history can affect how safe this medication is for a specific person.

Some key points to consider when taking mirtazapine 7.5 mg include:

• Common side effects: drowsiness, increased appetite, weight gain, and dry mouth
• Sedative effects: strongest at lower doses like 7.5 mg, usually taken at bedtime
• Therapeutic range: 40-80 ng/mL, according to the study by Timmer et al. 1
• Individual factors: age, weight, other medications, and medical history can affect safety and efficacy

Always take mirtazapine exactly as prescribed and consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication regimen. Additionally, it's essential to monitor for potential severe adverse events, such as seizures, cardiovascular risks, hyponatremia, hepatotoxicity, or the serotonin syndrome, although the evidence for these events is scarce 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Mirtazapine tablets may cause serious side effects, including: • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children and young adults Mirtazapine tablets, and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed.

How should I take mirtazapine tablets? • Take mirtazapine tablets exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Do not change your dose or stop taking mirtazapine tablets without first talking to your healthcare provider • Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of mirtazapine tablets until it is the right dose for you • Take mirtazapine tablets 1 time each day, preferably in the evening at bedtime

The dose of 7.5 milligrams of Mirtazapine (Remeron) is not explicitly stated in the provided drug labels as a recommended or safe dose. However, it is mentioned that the healthcare provider may need to change the dose of mirtazapine tablets until it is the right dose for you. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to determine the safe and effective dose of Mirtazapine for each individual patient 2, 2.

From the Research

Safety of Mirtazapine 7.5 milligrams

• The safety of mirtazapine at a dose of 7.5 milligrams is not explicitly discussed in the provided studies, but the studies do provide information on the safety profile of mirtazapine in general 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• Mirtazapine is known to cause adverse events such as somnolence, weight gain, dry mouth, dizziness, and increased appetite 3, 5, 6.
• The studies suggest that mirtazapine is generally well-tolerated, with a low potential for inducing seizures and a low risk of clinically significant changes in laboratory parameters 5, 6.
• However, it is essential to note that the studies discussed the safety profile of mirtazapine at higher doses, typically starting at 15 mg/day and increasing to 30-45 mg/day 5, 6, 7.
• There is a lack of evidence on the long-term effects of mirtazapine, particularly at lower doses such as 7.5 milligrams 3.

Adverse Events

• Common adverse events associated with mirtazapine include:
  • Somnolence 3, 5, 6
  • Weight gain 3, 5, 6
  • Dry mouth 3, 5, 6
  • Dizziness 3, 5, 6
  • Increased appetite 3, 5, 6
• Less common adverse events include:
  • Anticholinergic events (e.g., tremor, dyspepsilo) 4
  • Cardiac events (e.g., palpitations, tachycardia) 5
  • Neurological events (e.g., vertigo) 5

Dosage and Administration

• The recommended starting dosage of mirtazapine is 15 mg/day, which can be increased to 30-45 mg/day as needed 5, 6, 7.
• There is no specific guidance on the use of mirtazapine at a dose of 7.5 milligrams in the provided studies.