|
Remeron Side Effects That You
Should be Concerned About
 Remeron
side effects: What do I really need to know?
Remeron side effects cannot
really be anticipated, but, if any develop or increase in intensity you should
notify your physician immediately. Only your doctor can decide if the Remeron
side effects you experience would preclude you from continuing with this
antidepressant medication.
Remeron side effects may
include...
Abnormal dreams and
thinking, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, flu-like symptoms, increased
appetite, sleepiness, weakness, weight gain
Remeron
side effects and special warnings about this antidepressant:
In addition to the Remeron
side effects mentioned above, antidepressants have been noted to increase
suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and
other psychological problems. Anyone considering the use of this or similar
antidepressant medications with children or adolescents must balance the risk of
the Remeron side effects along with the clinical need. Remeron has not been
adequately studied in children, and should not be recommended for use for
individuals under the age of 18 years old.
The symptoms of depression
have been found to occasionally worsen for both adults and children, sometimes
resulting in suicidal thinking and behaviors whether they are on antidepressants
or not. Individuals taking this and other depression medications along with
their caregivers need to watch for new or increased symptoms, and need to pay
special attention to such Remeron side effects as agitation, anxiety, hostility,
panic, restlessness, extreme hyperactivity, and suicidal thinking or behavior,
and report them to their physician immediately. You need to be especially
vigilant at the initiation of treatment as well as when medication dosages are
changed.
Sometimes fatal reactions
have been noted when Remeron is taken along with other medications such as the
MAO inhibitors. These medications include the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
and should never be taken along with Remeron, or within 14 days of discontinuing
treatment with one of them. You should always allow at least 14 days between
stopping Remeron and starting an MAO inhibitor.
You should also take special
note if you develop flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat, chills or fever,
mouth sores or any other signs of infection, and contact your doctor
immediately. These symptoms may be indicative of a serious underlying medical
condition.
Remeron may also increase
cholesterol levels in some people. If you know or believe you have problem
cholesterol you should notify your doctor prior to beginning this depression
medication.
Remeron should also be used
with caution if you have liver, kidney or heart problems or high blood
pressure. Also, let your doctor know if you have a history of seizures, mania
(extremely high spirits), hypomania (mild excitability), have used drugs in the
past or have any other physical or emotional problems.
You may feel dizzy or lightheaded when you begin this
depression medication, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting
position. You should tell your doctor about this side effect if it does not go
away by simply getting up slowly from lying down or
sitting.
You should also avoid the
Sol Tabs form of Remeron if you must avoid phenylalanine.
Possibly
food and drug interactions in addition to the Remeron side effects:
It can actually be fatal if
you combine Remeron with an MAO inhibitor. Also, you should not drink alcohol
while taking this antidepressant medication. When Remeron is taken with certain
other drugs, the effects of either can be increased, decreased or otherwise
altered. It is especially important for you to check with your doctor before
combining Remeron with tranquilizers such as Valium, Xanax and Ativan.
Remeron
side effects to consider when pregnant or breast-feeding:
This antidepressant has not
been adequately studied during pregnancy, along with the related Remeron side
effects. If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding,
you need to talk to your doctor about the continuing use of Remeron. It is not
currently known whether Remeron appears in breast milk. However, it is known
that many medications make their way into breast milk and should be a special
concern for you and your doctor to consider. The possible benefits will need to
be considered along with the potential Remeron side effects, and it should be
considered whether you should continue with this antidepressant while pregnant
or breast-feeding.
Information from the
PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs
Webpage and
additional information by Paul Susic MA Licensed Ph.D. Candidate
|
