Dangers Of Mirtazapine (Page 20)

It seems to me that Mirtazapine is a potentially dangerous drug with little information known about it. My veterinarian prescribed this drug in small quantities for my cat as an appetite stimulant, so I began reading articles on the drug and its effects. Although it is supposed to be used as an antidepressant for humans, it has a wide reputation for causing suicidal tendencies in children and young adults. It causes weight gain (the side effect my vet was looking for in my cat's case). It also can cause feelings of depression, and wooziness. I spoke with a nurse who took it and she said the effects of sluggishness and dizziness lasted 2 to 3 days. It can also cause nausea and headaches. It seems to me that these side effects are anything but what a person who is already depressed should be feeling. (suicidal tendencies that they didn't originally have, feeling tired and unwell physically, and weight gain that could cause feelings of insecurity or increased depression) Giving this drug to my cat was the worst thing I ever did. About an hour after administering it to her, she began crying, looking confused, and she could not walk straight. We figured the effects would wear off, but they seemed to worsen. The next day she was holding her head down, walking in circles (trying to walk straight) and she could not focus her eyes. We brought her to the emergency animal hospital, and they called a poison center. Even the poison center had so little information on this drug (especially being prescribed to cats) that they did not know how to counteract the effects. We believe that the drug actually caused a mild stroke in our cat, and the vet said this looked like it might be the case. On top of that, it has a 72 hour half life, so we just had to wait the drug out for her to even feel better. If this drug could cause a mild stroke in my cat, I could only imagine what it could also do to a human. With so little knowledge of the effects, and such long-lasting effects, it seems to me that it is a dangerous and harmful drug for doctors to be prescribing. A few years from now, when it actually is studied more, I bet that it will be taken off the market as another one of those trial drugs that did not work out. Until then, how many people (and animals) will it harm?

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My 20lb doxie mix has liver disease and refusing to eat. I give fluids every other day. I was hoping this drug might help her. I'm afraid she's going to die. Is this worth a try? Help.

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No, please see all the comments. Ask your vet about prednisone.

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This medication works with no side effects. The problem is the terrible nightmares and the same one. I feel as if they are real when I am dreaming them. Dont know what other medication I would take.

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Syringe feed if they are not eating. NEVER give them this dangerous drug.

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Neat, I'm glad you have no side effects. Charlotte, as you can read all of our other comments here, this drug can cause terrible effects on animals. I will NEVER give it to any of my cats again. It would break your heart watching your dog go through this if it happened. Please talk to your vet for an alternative option.

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Hello, I've just saw and read your comments regarding mirtazapine, my doctor has prescribed me this with fluxotine I was really shocked to read that a vetanirany gave this for your cat!!! NOW I'm a bit concerned, yes I do suffer from depression and have a doctors appointment within the next seven days, I think I need to have a good talk with my GP to reconcide my options regards Kaz

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Kaz, there are many medications that both humans and animals take, in this case for different reasons. In people it's an antidepressant; in animals it's an appetite stimulant. If you're one of the luckier people who has no side effects from this drug, I wouldn't panic, but do talk to your doctor if you're concerned.

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Hi there thanks for your reply,luckily I don't have any side effects from mirtazapine, just was a bit amazed that animals are given it to, but as you say for totally different reasons. Thanks again kaz

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After reviewing a selection of these posts, a few things stand out to me:
1) Mirtazapine in HUMANS is a well-established drug, as safe as any strong medication can be (taken as directed by a practitioner). I have taken it myself.
2) With all respect, It is very dangerous to extrapolate experience from humans to animals (& vice versa) without knowledge. Some foods that are harmless to humans are poisonous to cats & other animals (e.g. chocolate, raisins(!), avocado).
3) That said, the consensus of the veterinary professionals here seems to be that the use of mirtazapine in cats is well-established but NOT a first choice, perhaps even a last resort.
4) There is a good (human) medication discussion site (Psychobabble), whose motto is YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary. Every person may have a unique response, especially to psychoactive medications, and I am sure it is the same for animals. So, especially if the discussion gets hot, remember: YMMV.

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Thank you for your input regarding mirtazapine between humans and animals really appreciated

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Please speak with your doctor, this sounds very unpleasant

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This drug is not safe for humans or animals. Look at the suicide warnings.

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All antidepressants carry a suicide warning these days. It's nothing to do with the safety of the drug; it's just that for some people recovering from major depression there is a high-risk period when they are still feeling suicidal but now are feeling just well enough to take action.

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I'm on that medicine as an adult person and it sure has helped me as I've been on it for quite a while now with no side effects thankfully!! Some FNP took me off all my medications and I got really sick along with losing 29 pounds so had to find another doctor to get me back on my meds!!!

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Blair, there are suicide warnings for most antidepressants. If we went by every POSSIBLE side effect of every drug, we wouldn't take anything! Our doctors are supposed to weigh the pros and cons before prescribing meds.

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Most doctors receive money from Big Pharma to push their poison, so I wouldn't put much stock into what they say. This drug is very difficult to stop taking and the risks are high. Perhaps they should stop prescribing drugs for depression that take the depression to levels where drug companies have to protect themselves from litigation by issuing a warning that the "miracle cure" for depression can cause you to kill yourself.

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Well moot point now, my dog Sassy died before my ***** vet would give it to her. I think I would have tried anything.

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Hahaha.... just wait till it stops working and you try to come off it pal... believe me you'll change camps pretty quickly.

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I give my cat mirtazapine as vet dose :1/4 of 15mg pil . Within 10 minutes he start eating, but minutes later - around 15 minutes he is whining and start acting confusing, drooling , walk here and there.....a little bit faster breathing , My God, I am so worry... I called my vet office , they busy and will get back to me soon. So I calm this little boy - pet him , and put him next to me in a quiet environment.... couple minutes past... he stop whining, and less drooling, his breathing still bit fast, but now he sit calm next to me. I pray may the side effect goes soon....I seeing he now try to sleep.
My heart go roaler coster with this situation- I am keep praying.... May he is normal again soon.

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No kidding. This drug is also used therapeutically in horses. Please don't post about your bad one time experience on your cat especially after your failed due diligence as a pet owner. This drug has been on the market for over three decades in several countries and there is A VAST AMOUNT of clinical literature available to anyone with internet access and remedial reading skills. Check your facts before posting ignorant claims of imminent danger. Your cat was on it's way out; and that's why it's still commonly used in feline and equine medicine. Nice epic fail though trying to discredit the Vet.

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