Mirtazapine: study card

Mirtazapine — Alpha-2 antagonist antidepressant (tetracyclic). Study the mechanism, listed uses and warnings from the US label on one sourced card.

Generic name
Mirtazapine
Class
Alpha-2 antagonist antidepressant (tetracyclic)
Mechanism
May act by antagonizing central presynaptic alpha-2 adrenergic autoreceptors and heteroreceptors, enhancing noradrenergic and serotonergic activity.
Used for
Major depressive disorder in adults
Common side effects
Somnolence; Increased appetite; Weight gain; Dizziness
Boxed warning
Antidepressants increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients.
Warnings
Agranulocytosis; Serotonin syndrome; QT prolongation
Interactions
MAOIs (contraindicated); Other serotonergic drugs

Brand questions use only name pairings verified against the linked product source. Unverified pairings are withheld from these questions; the other study content remains available.

Read the source label ↗

Label date: 20260904 · For learning, not clinical decisions. US label and brand information; always consult the current source.

Source snapshot checked: 2026-10-21. The source document and selected fields were compared. The complete card has not had an independent clinical review.

Pronunciation

Mirtazapine: mir-TAZ-a-peen

Pronunciation is shown for the US English generic name.

Body system

Psychiatry · 30 Drug cards

Compare with related cards

Venlafaxine

Same body system: Psychiatry

Mechanism: Thought to potentiate serotonin and norepinephrine in the CNS by inhibiting their reuptake.

On both cards: Used for — Major depressive disorder in adults · Common side effects — Somnolence · Warnings — Serotonin syndrome · Interactions — Other serotonergic drugs

Only on the Venlafaxine card: Used for — Generalized anxiety disorder in adults; Social anxiety disorder in adults; Panic disorder in adults · Common side effects — Nausea; Dry mouth; Sweating; Abnormal ejaculation · Warnings — Elevated blood pressure; Discontinuation syndrome · Interactions — MAO inhibitors; Antiplatelets / anticoagulants

Paroxetine

Same body system: Psychiatry

Mechanism: Presumed to potentiate CNS serotonergic activity by inhibiting neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT).

On both cards: Used for — Major depressive disorder in adults · Common side effects — Somnolence · Warnings — Serotonin syndrome · Interactions — MAOIs (contraindicated)

Only on the Paroxetine card: Used for — Obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder in adults; Social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults; Posttraumatic stress disorder in adults · Common side effects — Nausea; Abnormal ejaculation; Dry mouth; Sweating · Warnings — Embryofetal toxicity; Increased risk of bleeding · Interactions — Thioridazine / pimozide (contraindicated); Anticoagulants / NSAIDs

Duloxetine

Same body system: Psychiatry

Mechanism: Exact mechanism unknown; believed to potentiate serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the CNS.

On both cards: Used for — Major depressive disorder in adults · Common side effects — Somnolence · Warnings — Serotonin syndrome

Only on the Duloxetine card: Used for — Generalized anxiety disorder in adults and children aged 7 years and older; Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults; Fibromyalgia in adults and adolescents aged 13 years and older; Chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults · Common side effects — Nausea; Dry mouth; Constipation; Hyperhidrosis · Warnings — Hepatotoxicity; Orthostatic hypotension, falls, syncope · Interactions — Potent CYP1A2 inhibitors; Potent CYP2D6 inhibitors; MAOIs

An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.

Boxed warnings on related cards

Other cards with a boxed warning in this body system (Psychiatry): Sertraline, Escitalopram, Bupropion, Fluoxetine, Trazodone, Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine, Duloxetine, Alprazolam, Citalopram, Venlafaxine, Zolpidem, Methylphenidate (+14)