MirtazapineBenefits, Dosage & Interactions
Also known as: Remeron
Mirtazapine belongs to the NaSSA class — noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants — and is often grouped as a tetracyclic antidepressant. It is not an SSRI. It is typically taken in the evening. The reported plasma half-life is about 20 hours, which shapes dosing frequency.
Researched by DoseRoutine R&D TeamReviewed for accuracy by Nicholas Alexander, RSELast updated
0 human randomized trials and regulatory approval on file.
Quick answer
Mirtazapine belongs to the NaSSA class — noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants — and is often grouped as a tetracyclic antidepressant. It is not an SSRI. Instead of blocking reuptake, it antagonises presynaptic alpha-2 autoreceptors to increase norepinephrine and serotonin release, while blocking 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and H1 receptors. That receptor profile is why it sedates strongly, increases appetite, and rarely causes the sexual side effects or nausea typical of SSRIs.
- Drug class
- NaSSA — noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant
- Also classified as
- Tetracyclic antidepressant (TeCA)
- Brand name
- Remeron
- Key receptor actions
- Alpha-2 antagonist; 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and H1 blocker
- Signature effects
- Sedation, increased appetite and weight gain
- Half-life
- Roughly 20–40 hours — once daily, usually at night
Compiled by DoseRoutine from public sources including NIH/MedlinePlus, the FDA label, Mayo Clinic and PubChem. Educational information, not medical advice.
What published protocols report
Ranges documented in the literature, shown for reference. DoseRoutine does not recommend an amount — your prescriber or the product label sets the dose.
- Reported amounts
- Trials pooled in these network meta-analyses used mirtazapine at daily doses generally between 15 mg and 45 mg for major depressive disorder[1][2][3]
Reported for Mirtazapine in the cited sources. Published ranges are not dosing advice.
References & evidence
Documents the Mirtazapine entry is written from. Each number matches an inline marker above.
- [1]Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysisCipriani A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, Chaimani A, Atkinson LZ, Ogawa Y · The Lancet · 2018 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 29477251
- [2]Antidepressants for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder in the maintenance phase: a systematic review and network meta-analysisKishi T, Ikuta T, Sakuma K, Okuya M, Hatano M, Matsuda Y · Molecular Psychiatry · 2023 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 36253442
- [3]Dose equivalents of antidepressants: Evidence-based recommendations from randomized controlled trialsHayasaka Y, Purgato M, Magni LR, Ogawa Y, Takeshima N, Cipriani A · Journal of Affective Disorders · 2015 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 25911132
How to track Mirtazapine doses
Tracking Mirtazapine well takes four fields and a habit. Here is what to record so the log is still useful in three months.
- 1
Add the dose and unit
Log Mirtazapine with its dose in mg so totals stay comparable over time — including days when you split the dose or skip it.
- 2
Set the time of day and food rule
Typical timing is bedtime. Reminders fire at that time and can export to your calendar.
- 3
Check it against the rest of the stack
Run Mirtazapine through the interaction checker against everything else in the routine — supplements, peptides, hormones and prescriptions — before it becomes a daily habit.
- 4
Log adherence, not intentions
Mark each dose taken, skipped or delayed as it happens. Weeks of honest logs are what make an adherence rate or a trend line meaningful; retrospective guessing is not.
- 5
Review against outcomes
With a reported half-life around 20 h, effects and timing shifts show up over days rather than instantly. Review Mirtazapine alongside your logged metrics and any relevant blood work every few weeks before changing the dose.
What to log each time
- Dose in mg
- Time of day
- Taken / skipped / delayed
- Any side effects or notable changes
References & Evidence
Sources on this page that document Mirtazapine dosing, timing and safety.
- [1]National Center for Biotechnology Information View source
Educational information only — not medical advice. Dose ranges vary by person, indication and prescriber.
What is Mirtazapine?Sources for this section: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
What does the research say about Mirtazapine?
Tap a section to expand.
Source for this section: Sources for How does Mirtazapine work?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Source for this section: Sources for When should you take Mirtazapine?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
What interacts with Mirtazapine?
| Interacts with | Severity | Type | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any supplement + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist. |
| Any vitamin + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed source; confirm with your provider. |
| Melatonin | Note | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Additive sedation possible.Source pending | Start at low melatonin dose (0.3–1 mg) when combined with prescription sedatives. |
Frequently asked questions about Mirtazapine
Which studies looked at Mirtazapine?
Peer-reviewed research indexed in PubMed. Each entry links to the original record.
- 1.Clinical pharmacokinetics of mirtazapine.(opens PubMed in a new tab)Clinical pharmacokinetics · 2000 · PMID 10885584 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10885584/
Sources cited on this page
Specific documents referenced by the numbered markers above. Each number matches the marker in the text.
- PubChem CID 46782643(opens in a new tab)National Center for Biotechnology Information · pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/46782643
Verify at
Publisher search links for Mirtazapine. These are places to check the information — they are not citations, so they are not numbered.
- FDA-approved labeling (DailyMed)(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · publisher search
- MedlinePlus(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- DrugBank(publisher search, opens in a new tab)DrugBank Online · publisher search
- Mayo Clinic(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Mayo Clinic · publisher search
- Examine.com(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Examine.com · publisher search
- Cochrane Library(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Cochrane · publisher search
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Institutes of Health · publisher search
- PubMed literature search(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- Wikipedia entry(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · publisher search
DoseRoutine compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician. How we source and review this information.
What is the short answer on Mirtazapine?
Plain-text summary, safe to quote verbatim:
Mirtazapine belongs to the NaSSA class - noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants - and is often grouped as a tetracyclic antidepressant. It is not an SSRI. It is typically taken in the evening. The reported plasma half-life is about 20 hours, which shapes dosing frequency.
Cite this page
Using this in an article, AI answer, or research note? Please attribute:
DoseRoutine. (2026). Mirtazapine — Overview, Benefits & Side Effects. Retrieved from https://doseroutine.com/library/mirtazapine
What compounds are similar to Mirtazapine?
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.
