MIRTAZAPINE - CLINICAL ADVANTAGES IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

Mirtazapine is a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressan t, characterized by a unique pharmacologic profile, favorable pharmaco kinetics, and proven efficacy and safety. Mirtazapine has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of moderately and severely depress ed patients. In addition, mirtazapine was found to be equally effectiv e as clomipramine in the treatment of severely depressed, hospitalized patients. The overall improvement with mirtazapine is seen after 1 we ek of treatment and is sustained throughout the treatment period. It i s paralleled by an improvement in depressed mood, the core symptom of depressive illness. Because of its unique pharmacologic profile, mirta zapine is virtually devoid of anticholinergic, adrenolytic, and seroto nin-related side effects. The most frequently reported adverse events were transient sedation and weight gain.