Remeron RD (mirtazapine) is an atypical antidepressant used in a wide range of mental or mood disorders. The RD in this product stands for rapidly dissolving; the tablets are designed to dissolve on the tongue.

Introduced in the 1990s, use of the medication rapidly grew around the world and it is now sold under dozens of other brand names depending on location. It is also sees some veterinary use as an appetite stimulant.

Understanding Atypical Antidepressants

As an atypical antidepressant, Remeron RD doesn't fit in with widely-recognized classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclics, SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs. Patients unable to take these other categories due to allergies, severe side effects, or because they simply don't produce good results, may have better results with this product.

The exact mechanisms by which any antidepressants work is a very complex topic and not fully understood. They all influence the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, and Remeron RD is no exception here, but it does so in different ways than other classes, which is why it doesn't belong to them and why it may work when others don't.

Atypical antidepressants also have differing side effects. Remeron RD is less likely than other classes to produce the sexual dysfunctions, such as erectile dysfunction, associated with SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs, and is less likely to produce muscle control issues than tricyclic antidepressants. However, Remeron RD does have more of a sedative effect than most other classes and is more likely to cause weight gain, as the medication stimulates appetite.

Conditions Treated

Remeron RD is used in a very wide range of conditions, and treatment is quite similar in most of them. More common uses include:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
• Panic disorder
• Insomnia
• Headaches, including migraines
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite

Treatment will vary to some extent according to personal variables, but in most cases is strikingly similar in all conditions:

• Start with 15 mg per day, ideally taken in the evening as the medication can cause drowsiness.
• Evaluate results after at least one, ideally two, weeks of treatment; it takes at least a week for full benefit to be felt, sometimes up to four weeks.
• If needed, increase dosage to 30 mg per day, and evaluate results after one to two weeks.
• Dosage may be again increased, if needed, to 45 mg per day.
• Do not exceed 45 mg per day without explicit doctor instruction.
• Tablets should be dissolved on the tongue. Food or drink is optional.

Treatment may continue for as long as it is needed; often for 6 to 9 months, but sometimes for much longer. Long-term treatment is typically done at lower doses.

Precautions & Adverse Effects

Remeron RD can cause side effects, though they're typically mild and often stop occurring after a few weeks of treatment. Side effects that become severe enough to be disruptive should be brought to the attention of a doctor. Most common are:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Abnormal dreams

As mentioned above, Remeron RD stimulates appetite. While this is a benefit for underweight individuals, most patients consider this a drawback and should take care to watch food intake.

Remeron RD can cause complications in some other medical conditions. Patients with any major medical condition---heart disease, diabetes, blood disorders, liver impairment, and so forth---should discuss risks and warning signs with a doctor before use.

Likewise this medication can interact with a wide range of other medications. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or adjusting dosage of other medications for the duration of treatment with Remeron RD. This medication should not be taken within two weeks of taking an MAOI.