In our difficult time, the number of individuals suffering from depressive disorders is increasing every year. In this situation, modern antidepressant drugs are of particular relevance. One of the best such drugs is "Remeron", instructions for use which are given in this article. Readers who are interested in this topic will be interested to learn about the composition of the drug, its properties, method of use and, of course, how doctors respond about this remedy.
The composition of the drug and the form of release
The medicine is available in reddish-brown tablets, biconvex in shape, each of which contains 15, 30 or 45 grams of the active substance mirtazapine. On one side of the tablets is the labeling Organon - this is the name of the Dutch manufacturer of this drug, on the other side you can see the code TZ / 5. All of the above applies solely to the antidepressant produced under the brand name "Remeron". The analogs of the medicine, a list of which can be read in our article, may have a composition almost identical to “Remeron,” but their name and appearance will differ.
Next Generation Antidepressant
Why are psychiatrists today, if patients turn to them for depression, panic attacks, etc., often prescribe them "Remeron"? Instructions for use describe in sufficient detail the mechanism of its action, but, unfortunately, it does not indicate that it is a new generation antidepressant, the development of which took into account many factors that made the drug as effective as possible and at the same time reduce side effects.
In a scientific article devoted to mirtazapine - the main active ingredient that is part of Romeron, S. G. Burchinsky, a psychotherapist, an employee of the Kiev Institute of Gerontology, writes that this remedy has the following important characteristics:
- the clinical effect after the start of medication occurs very quickly (almost in the first week of use);
- pronounced anxiolytic and timoanaleptic effect;
- sedative effect and normalization of sleep.
The effect of the drug on sleep structure
"Remeron" is able to effectively act on depressive symptoms that are difficult to correct with other antidepressants (cyclothymic disorders, psychomotor retardation, anhedonia). Doctors note that mirtazapine is extremely effective both in the treatment of acute depressive episodes and in the framework of supportive therapy. Particularly emphasized is its effect on the normalization of sleep.
It is known that with depressive disorders, sleep disturbance is one of the typical symptoms of this pathology and is observed in almost 90% of patients. These disorders consist of disturbances during falling asleep and waking up, as well as disorganization of the general structure of sleep. Solving this problem is a very important component in helping people suffering from depression. Most of these people who applied to a medical institution have a clear relationship between the severity of insomnia and the severity of affective symptoms.
At the same time, sleep disorders can seriously complicate the course of the pathological process, as well as precede the disease and accompany it. Subsequently, they may increase the risk of relapse. Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that therapeutic measures taken to normalize sleep in patients with depression should be not so much symptomatic as pathogenetic. Remeron, based on mirtazapine, is one of the rare antidepressants that can successfully correct insomnia in patients with depression.
Geriatric use
According to the observations of doctors, "Remeron" is very well tolerated by people of advanced and senile age, while it has a very effective and beneficial effect on this category of patients. This is a definite plus of the drug, since many of the symptoms that accompany depression (anhedonia, anxiety, sleep disturbances, etc.) especially often haunt people in old age. Given the fact that in this age group the use of TAD (tricyclic antidepressants) is not recommended, in gerontopsikhiatriya "Remeron" is used in the treatment of literally all forms of depressive pathologies.
Correction of Sexual Disorders
In cases of sexual dysfunction such as anorgasmia, accelerated ejaculation, decreased libido , etc., which are often associated with the clinical manifestations of depression on the one hand, and on the other hand, they often arise as complications of treatment with SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), " Remeron "and its analogues serve as excellent help to doctors. Mirtazapine-based drugs perfectly correct a wide variety of sexual dysfunctions in patients with depression. Moreover, they not only increase the effectiveness of treatment, but also act as prophylactic agents against the development of sexual disorders.
"Remeron": instructions for use
The leaflet attached to the drug says that you need to take the medicine once a day immediately before bedtime. The daily standard dose can vary between 15-45 mg, while special adjustments to the amount of the drug for the elderly are not required. It is very important not to overdose the medicine "Remeron". The patient reviews confirm what is written in the instructions: an overdose does not cause an improvement in the condition, but inhibition and drowsiness. During treatment, it is important to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages.
Increased sedation can be triggered by the simultaneous administration of the drug with benzodiazepines. It is not recommended to drink Remeron tablets - 30, 15 and 45 grams together with MAO inhibitors, and also after canceling the last for fourteen days. Therapeutic therapy with the help of "Remeron" instruction recommends continuing even after the disappearance of painful symptoms; this must be done for six months. Drug withdrawal should be carried out gradually. Important: this medicine is sold in pharmacies only by prescription!
Indications for use
When do doctors recommend taking Romeron? The instruction for use names the following painful conditions caused by depression as indications:
- psychomotor retardation;
- anhedonia;
- loss of interest in life;
- insomnia;
- suicidal thoughts;
- anxiety;
- pain syndromes;
- lability of mood;
- early awakenings;
- weight loss, etc.
Contraindications
"Remeron" is a drug that can not be used by people who are hypersensitive to its main active component - the substance mirtazapine, as well as to any of the auxiliary components of the drug. The following contraindications are the period of pregnancy, lactation, renal or liver failure. There are relative contraindications:
- prostatic hypertrophy;
- diabetes;
- angle-closure glaucoma;
- atrial tachyarrhythmia;
- arterial hypotension ;
- angina pectoris;
- organic lesions of the brain (brain);
- addiction to psychoactive drugs.
Analogues of the drug
If for some reason it is impossible to buy "Remeron" at the pharmacy, analogues can replace it. Here are their names:
- Mirzaten Ku-tab.
- Calixta.
- Mirtalan.
- Mirtazonal.
- Esprital.
- Noxibel.
- Mirtazapin Hexal.
"Remeron": reviews of doctors
Specialists highly value the pronounced therapeutic properties of this new generation of antidepressant. Before the medicine became part of everyday medical practice, the actions of mirtazapine were studied very carefully. So, there is an article by M. Morozova, an employee of the Moscow Scientific Center for Mental Health of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, where she talks about the results of such studies.
The trials involved 63 patients with moderate to severe depression, with various variants of affective disorders identified ; 12 psychiatric hospitals in different cities of Russia were involved. As part of the experiment, doctors were prescribed to use only mirtazapine to treat all patients hospitalized with depression. The total duration of drug therapy for each patient was 42 days. During this time, the drug showed itself very well.
There are also the results of studies of the complex treatment of patients with alcohol dependence, in which "Remeron" was used. Reviews of doctors about the effect of the drug were also positive. Patients with withdrawal symptoms were able to quickly stop panic attacks, irritability, insomnia, normalize heart rate and blood pressure. Subsequently, during the period of remission, the drug helped to reduce the craving for alcohol and stabilize the mental state of patients.
Side effects
As you can see from the previous chapter, doctors really appreciate the antidepressant "Remeron". The reviews of their patients are far from such unanimity. In some people, taking the drug can cause unwanted concomitant effects. We give a list of possible side effects listed in the instructions.
1. Digestive system:
- nausea;
- thirst;
- constipation
- increased energy of hepatic transaminases;
- increased appetite;
- accumulation of body weight;
- vomiting
- abdominal pain, dry mouth.
2. From the nervous system:
- hypokinesia;
- drowsiness;
- tremor;
- retardation;
- cramps
- change in mentality and mood;
- hyperkinesis;
- myoclonus;
- agitation;
- anxiety;
- depersonalization;
- apathy;
- mania;
- hallucinations;
- dizziness;
- emotional instability;
- vertigo;
- hostility;
- epileptic seizures;
- hyperesthesia.
3. Cardiovascular system:
- hypotension orthostatic;
- lowering blood pressure.
4. Genitourinary system:
- dysmenorrhea;
- lower potency.
5. Blood formation system:
- agranulocytosis;
- aplastic anemia;
- granulocytopenia;
- thrombocytopenia;
- neutropenia;
- eosinophilia.
6. Allergic reactions: urticaria.
7. Other side effects:
- edematous syndrome;
- flu-like syndrome;
- myalgia;
- suffocation;
- dysuria;
- backache;
- withdrawal syndrome.
Despite all of the above, among doctors, "Remeron is considered one of the safest drugs in the category of drugs for the treatment of depression. For example, unlike tricyclic antidepressants, it does not cause " serotonin syndrome ", is practically devoid of cardiotoxicity and has little anticholinergic properties such as dyspepsia and dry mouth.Some side effects (drowsiness, dizziness, increased sedation, increased appetite, etc.) are noted only at the very beginning of therapy, and subsequently pass without food.
Overdose of the drug "Remeron"
The instruction indicates that with an overdose, the following symptoms may occur:
- retardation;
- disorientation;
- drowsiness;
- tachycardia.
In such cases, treatment is carried out using activated charcoal, gastric lavage, oxygenation and ventilation, as well as the use of symptomatic therapy.
special instructions
The antidepressant "Remeron" can cause an increase in psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. During treatment of the depressive phase of affective bipolar psychosis, inversion of affect with the appearance of mania is possible. Moreover, if suicidal tendencies are observed, the patient is recommended to give a limited amount of the drug. If the patient is a woman of reproductive age, then the appointment of tablets is carried out only under the conditions of using her reliable contraceptives.
A sharp discontinuation of the drug, following after prolonged use, can provoke the appearance of nausea, headaches, and a general deterioration in well-being. Remeron should be discontinued if symptoms of any infectious diseases, jaundice, or changes in the blood appear. For the period of taking the drug, patients are instructed to be more careful when driving a car, as well as when doing other potentially risky types of work and activities that require speed of psychomotor reactions and increased attention fixation.
Conclusion
From all that was said in the article, we can conclude that "Remeron" - pills that can help even with severe depressive mental disorders. At the same time, they are far from harmless, and they must be used only as prescribed by the doctor, as well as under his close supervision. Many people have been suffering from depression for years, are being treated on their own with a variety of medications, and do not get the desired result. Meanwhile, it is enough to visit an experienced specialist to get a prescription for the purchase of a truly effective drug, for example, such as the medicine "Remeron". Do not delay the visit to the doctor. Be healthy and happy!