Mirtazapine (
Remeron®) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of
depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression).
Mirtazapine is manufactured by Organon USA. Generic mirtazapine is available and is made by several manufacturers.
How Does Mirtazapine Work?
It is not entirely clear how mirtazapine works, since no other medications work exactly it. The drug blocks several different kinds of receptors, including serotonin, norepinephrine, histamine, alpha, and muscarinic receptors.
It is thought that the antidepressant effects of mirtazapine are due to its actions on serotonin and norepinephrine. These are chemicals used to send messages in between nerves. However, if serotonin or norepinephrine levels become unbalanced, it can cause a variety of conditions, including depression. It is thought that mirtazapine's actions on other types of receptors cause some of the
side effects of mirtazapine, such as drowsiness or low
blood pressure.
Certain receptors decrease the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine released by the nerves. Mirtazapine blocks these inhibitory receptors, causing more serotonin and norepinephrine to be released. This may help to relieve the
symptoms of depression.
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