CONTRIBUTOR(S): Vetstream Ltd, Julien Bazelle, Fear Free,
Medication: Mirtazapine
Medication: Mirtazapine
Your cat has been prescribed mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant for the management of weight loss resulting from chronic medical conditions or stress, and/or anti-nausea drug.
Key points:
• Tetracyclic antidepressant.
• Appetite stimulant or anti-nausea drug.
• Wear gloves when applying transdermal ointment in cats and dispose of gloves after each application.
• Use with caution in cats with liver or kidney disease.
• Do not use in cats weighing <2 kg or less than 6 months of age (US) or 7.5 months of age (UK & Europe).
• Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
• Do not use in cats treated with cyproheptadine, tramadol or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or treated with an MAOI within 14 days prior to treatment with the veterinary medicinal product as there may be an increased risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Safety not evaluated in pregnant, lactating or breeding cats.
• Dosage: tablets given once daily to every other day or transdermal ointment once daily.
This information sheet is designed to help answer commonly asked questions and help you give the medication safely and effectively to your pet. It does not contain all available information for this medication. If you have other questions or need more information, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian.
Name, Brand names, Class of medication and Storage
Name
- Mirtazapine (mir-taza-pine).
Brand name
- The only licensed veterinary product for cats is Mirataz® transdermal ointment.
Class of drug
- Tetracyclic antidepressant.
Storage
- The tube must be stored in the child resistant carton or bottle with child resistant cap.
- Protect from light and moisture.
- The coated tablets and the orally disintegrating tablets should be stored at 25°C (77ºF) with excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F).
- The stability of the orally disintegrating tablets once removed from the tablet blister is unknown and immediate use is recommended.
Why has my cat been prescribed mirtazapine?
Your veterinarian has prescribed mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant and/or as an anti-nausea drug.
How is the medication given?
A topical preparation/transdermal ointment (licensed for cats) can be applied to the cat’s inner ear once a day. Apply a 1.5 inch ribbon of ointment on the inner pinna once a day for 14 days (alternating ears on daily basis). Wear disposable gloves when applying the ointment and wash hands after applying. Avoid direct contact with the cat for 12 hours after application (best to apply in the evening).
Mirtazapine can be given orally as tablets (off-label human licensed products), available as 15, 30 and 45 mg tablets (oral disintegrating) and 7.5, 15 and 30 mg tablets (scored film-coated). The tablets can be given with or without food.
Are there any side-effects or drug interactions?
Mirtazapine is generally well-tolerated and side-effects are rare. The most common side-effects seen were application site reactions, hypotension, behavioral abnormalities (vocalization and hyperactivity or sedation) and vomiting. In humans, mirtazapine was associated with blood cells abnormalities.
The following drugs may interact with mirtazapine:
- Clonidine
- Cyproheptadine
- Diazepam
- Fluvoxamine
- Linezolid
- Selegiline
- Amitraz
- Tramadol.
Let your veterinarian know if your cat is taking any other medications including vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies.
How long will my cat need to receive this medication?
Mirtazapine should improve your cat’s symptoms after a day or two and stop working after 24 hours.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
Dispose of any unused mirtazapine safely – do not flush down the toilet or sink. Ask your veterinary team if they take back medication for disposal. Do not save mirtazapine for future use or give to other pets.
What if I miss a dose or give an extra dose?
If you miss a dose, give the dose as soon as possible but do not give a double dose. Make sure the dose given does not exceed the total recommended dose in any 24-hour period.
My cat is unwell, should I still give the drug?
If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian for advice.
What should I do if this medication is accidentally given to another pet or taken by a human?
Mirtazapine should only be given to the cat that it has been prescribed for. If accidentally given to other pets, contact your veterinarian for advice.
Care should be taken that other animals do not come into contact with the application site until it is dry.
Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid handling the product and avoid contact with treated cats during the treatment period.
If accidentally consumed by a human, speak to your primary care physician or poison control center as it may be harmful after ingestion.
Will my cat need to be monitored while on mirtazapine?
Your veterinarian will monitor your cat for side-effects. Regular blood tests may be required.
Further information
If you have any concerns, further information on mirtazapine can be found on the package insert and the following websites:
Europe & UK
- Dechra(UK) Mirataz ® (mirtazapine transdermal ointment). Website: www.dechra.co.uk/products/cat/prescription/mirataz
- European Medicines Agency Mirataz. Website: www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/mirataz-epar-product-information_en.pdf
US
- Dechra (US) Mirataz ® (mitrazapine transdermal ointment). Website: mirataz.com/mirataz/
Always follow the recommended dosage and contact your veterinary team or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your cat’s medication.