In conclusion, from my review of the literature and from my clinical experience: (1) mirtazapine is effective in the treatment of depression; (2) side effects of mirtazapine, such as somnolence and increased appetite, can be beneficial in the depressed elderly patient who is not sleeping or eating, especially in the

Is mirtazapine good for the elderly?

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the newer antidepressants buproprion, mirtazapine, moclobemide, and venlafaxine (a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor or SNRI) are all relatively safe in the elderly.

What conditions does Remeron treat?

Remeron (mirtazapine) is a tetracyclic antidepressant used to treat depression. Remeron has been used to treat:

• nausea,
• anxiety,
• post traumatic stress syndrome, and.
• used as an appetite stimulant.

Can Remeron cause confusion in elderly?

However, elderly patients are more likely to have confusion or unusual drowsiness and age -related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving mirtazapine.

Is Remeron safe for sleep in geriatrics?

Discussion: Mirtazapine produces minimal changes on actigraphic measures in the sleep of elderly outpatients. Sleep produced by mirtazapine indicates a more pronounced effect in ≥ 80-year-old patients. This differential response should be considered during treatment of this clinical population.

What is the best anti anxiety medication for elderly?

Buspirone is an anti-anxiety drug that has been shown to be effective for older adults. Benzodiazepines, another anti-anxiety drug, are effective but should be prescribed carefully to older adults because of risk of memory impairment, unsteadiness, and falls.

Is mirtazapine safe for elderly with dementia?

Antipsychotics and SSRIs are associated with substantial harms when used for the treatment of agitation in dementia. This study suggests that substituting the sedative antidepressant mirtazapine to avoid such harms is not a clinically effective strategy.

Who should not take Remeron?

You should not take Remeron if you are also taking tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan). Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine and others.

What are the bad side effects of Remeron?

Dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, increased appetite, weight gain, dry mouth, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Is Remeron a good medication?

Remeron has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 210 ratings on Drugs.com. 63% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 14% reported a negative effect.

What is an appetite stimulant for elderly?

Megestrol acetate and mirtazapine appear to be effective for appetite stimulation and weight gain in some settings.

Does Remeron affect your memory?

Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include: confusion. sleepiness. memory problems.

Is Remeron a sleeping pill?

Sleepiness is a common side effect of Remeron (mirtazapine), so you might find that it helps you sleep better (especially at lower doses). However, Remeron (mirtazapine) is not a sleeping pill and is not FDA-approved to treat insomnia or other sleeping conditions.

Which is better for sleep Trazodone or Remeron?

Remeron (mirtazapine) improves your mood and helps you sleep better, but can cause more weight gain than any other antidepressant. Improves mood and helps you sleep. Oleptro (Trazodone) works well as a sleep aid, but has more side effects when used at higher doses for treating depression.

What is the best treatment for insomnia in older adults?

The choice of a hypnotic agent in the elderly is symptom-based. Ramelteon or short-acting Z-drugs can treat sleep-onset insomnia. Suvorexant or low-dose doxepin can improve sleep maintenance. Eszopiclone or zolpidem extended release can be utilized for both sleep onset and sleep maintenance.

Is 7.5 mg of mirtazapine enough for sleep?

The pivotal original studies supported an FDA-approved antidepressant indication for mirtazapine 15–45 mg/d. While the drug is commonly used off-label at lower doses (7.5 to 15 mg at bedtime) primarily for a soporific effect, antidepressant effects at doses of 7.5 mg/d have been reported.