Mirtazapine for Veterinary Use
by Barbara Forney, VMD
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Overview |
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Therapeutic Class
Anti-depressant |
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Species
Cats |
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Commonly Prescribed by Vets for:
Appetite stimulant |
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FDA Status
No veterinary approved products available. |
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Search for Available Dosage Forms | |
Basic Information
Mirtazapine is a human anti-depressant drug that is used as an add-on drug for severe depression. It is particularly useful for patients with anxiety and sleep disturbance. Mirtazapine has a rapid onset of activity in comparison to many anti-depressant medications. It has a dual mechanism of action, being both a noradrenergic and specific-serotonergic drug (NaSSA). Mirtazapine is metabolized primarily by the liver.
Cats
Mirtazapine is used as an appetite stimulant and anti-emetic in cats. At this time there is very little scientific information available on this drug in cats, although it is mentioned in the proceedings of a number of feline veterinary meetings. Anecdotal use includes cats with chronic renal-failure, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and other depressed, older, sick cat situations. Possible advantages for the use of mirtazapine over cyproheptadine is the once-every-three-days dosing and the anti-emetic properties. In human medicine, the notable downside to mirtazapine is weight gain. When treating sick, anorectic cats, this might be considered a positive attribute.
Mirtazapine Side Effects
The most-common side-effects in humans are somnolence, dry mouth, increased appetite and weight gain.
Precautions
No precautions regarding use of mirtazapine in cats were found in the literature.
Drug Interactions
Based on the human literature, mirtazapine has fewer drug interactions than many of the other drugs used to treat depression. There is no specific information available regarding treatment in cats.
Overdose
Mirtazapine has a wide margin of safety in humans. No information was found in the literature regarding cats. If an overdose is recognized promptly, gut-emptying protocols may be attempted.
About the Author
Dr. Barbara Forney is a veterinary practitioner in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She has a master's degree in animal science from the University of Delaware and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982.
She began to develop her interest in client education and medical writing 1997. Recent publications include portions of The Pill Book Guide to Medication for Your Dog and Cat, and most recently Understanding Equine Medications published by the Bloodhorse.
Dr. Forney is an FEI veterinarian and an active member of the AAEP, AVMA, and AMWA.
You can purchase books by Dr. Forney at www.exclusivelyequine.com.