Zym-Mirtazapine: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

ABOUT THIS MEDICATION

What the medication is used for:

Zym-MIRTAZAPINE belongs to a group of medicines known as antidepressants

Zym-MIRTAZAPINE has been prescribed to you to relieve your symptoms of depression. Treatment with these types of medications is most safe and effective when you and your doctor have good communication about how you are feeling.

What it does:

Zym-MIRTAZAPINE works to treat depression is unknown. Zym-MIRTAZAPINE is thought to have an effect in the brain on chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine.

When it should not be used:

• Do not use Zym-MIRTAZAPINE if you are:

• allergic to it or any of the components (see section - What the

  important nonmedicinal ingredients are).

• currently taking or have recently taken monoamine oxidase (MAO)

  inhibitors, (including some types of anti-depressants and anti-Parkinson treatments) See section – INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION).

What the medicinal ingredient is:

Mirtazapine

What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are:

What dosage forms it comes in: Tablets: 15 mg and 30 mg

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

During treatment with these types of medications, it is important that you and your doctor have good ongoing communication about how you are feeling.

Zym-MIRTAZAPINE. is not for use in children under 18 years of age.

New or Worsened Emotional or Behavioural Problems

Particularly in the first few weeks of treatment, or when doses are adjusted, a small number of patients taking drugs of this type may feel worse instead of better; for example, they may experience unusual feelings of agitation, hostility or anxiety, or have impulsive or disturbing thoughts such as thoughts of self-harm or harm to others. Should this happen to you, or to those in your care if you are a caregiver or guardian, consult your doctor immediately; Close observation by a doctor is necessary in this situation. Do not discontinue your medication on your own.

BEFORE you use Zym-MIRTAZAPINE, talk to your doctor or pharmacist:

• about all your medical conditions, including a history of seizures, liver or kidney disease, heart problems, diabetes, low blood pressure, glaucoma (increased intra-ocular pressure), high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides (fats in the blood), difficulties in urinating as a result of an enlarged prostate, psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (alternating periods of elation/overactivity and depressed mood);

• about any medications (prescription or nonprescription)

  you are taking (refer to the next section for specific interactions with Zym-MIRTAZAPINE)

• about any natural or herbal products you are taking (e.g.,

  St. John’s Wort)

• if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding;

• about your habits of alcohol consumption.

• if you have hereditary galactose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Zym-MIRTAZAPINE is not for use in children under 18 years of age.

Refrain from potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving a car or operating dangerous machines, until you are certain that this

Zym-MIRTAZAPINE Product Monograph Page 37 of 39

medication does not affect your mental alertness or physical coordination.

Contact your physician before stopping or reducing your dosage of Zym-MIRTAZAPINE. Symptoms such as dizziness, abnormal dreams, electric shock sensations, agitation, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, headache, tremor, nausea, vomiting, sweating or other symptoms may occur after stopping or reducing the dosage of Zym-MIRTAZAPINE. Such symptoms may also occur if a dose is missed. These symptoms usually disappear without needing treatment. Tell your doctor immediately if you have these or any other symptoms.

Your doctor may adjust the dosage of Zym-MIRTAZAPINE to alleviate these symptoms.

Effects on Pregnancy and Newborns

Post-marketing reports indicate that some newborns whose mothers took an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) or other newer anti-depressants, such as Zym-MIRTAZAPINE, during pregnancy have developed complications at birth requiring prolonged hospitalization, breathing support and tube feeding. Reported symptoms include: feeding and/or breathing difficulties, seizures, tense or overly relaxed muscles, jitteriness and constant crying. In most cases, the newer anti-depressant was taken during the third trimester of pregnancy. These symptoms are consistent with either a direct adverse effect of the anti-depressant on the baby, or possibly a discontinuation syndrome caused by sudden withdrawal from the drug. These symptoms normally resolve over time. However, if your baby experiences any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as you can.

$ If you are pregnant, or nursing, and taking an SSRI or other newer

anti-depressants, such as Zym-MIRTAZAPINE, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the various treatment options with your doctor. It is very important that you do NOT stop taking these medications without first consulting your doctor. See also SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM section.

INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION

Do not use Zym-MIRTAZAPINE if you are taking or have recently taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, moclobemide, tranylcypromine, selegeline, linezolid, methylene blue), thioridazine, or pimozide.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any medications (prescription, non-prescription or natural/herbal), especially:

• other antidepressants, such as SSRIs, venlafaxine and certain

  tricyclics

• other drugs that affect serotonin such as tryptophan, triptans,

  lithium, tramadol, St. John’s Wort

• ketoconazole(medicine for treating fungal infections)

• cimetidine (used to treat reflux and stomach ulcers)

  • erythromycin [used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotic)]
  • drugs used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), such as a combination of fosamprenavir and ritonavir
  • nefazodone (used to treat depression)
  • certain drugs used to treat epilepsy, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin
  • rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)
  • warfarin (used to prevent blood clotting)
  • benzodiazepines (e.g midazolam, oxazepam and diazepam) – as Zym-MIRTAZAPINE may add to the sedative effects of these agents.

Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking Zym-MIRTAZAPINE

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION

Usual dose:

It is very important that you take Zym-MIRTAZAPINE exactly as your doctor has instructed. Generally, most people take between 15 mg and 45 mg per day.

How to take Zym-MIRTAZAPINE:

• Never increase or decrease the amount of Zym-

  MIRTAZAPINE you, or those in your care if you are a caregiver or guardian, are taking unless your doctor tells you to, and do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor (see Warnings and Precautions when taking Zym-MIRTAZAPINE).

• Some symptoms may begin to improve within about two weeks, but significant improvement can take several weeks. Continue to follow the doctor’s instructions.
• The tablets should be taken at the same time each day, preferably as a single evening dose (prior to sleep). Do not chew them.

• Keep taking your tablets until the doctor tells you to stop.

  The doctor may tell you to take your medicine for several months. Continue to follow the doctor’s instructions.

• Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.
• If you forget to take your evening dose, do not take the missed dose the next morning. Continue treatment in the evening (prior to sleep) with your normal dose.

Overdose:

In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose:

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

Zym-MIRTAZAPINE Product Monograph Page 38 of 39

If you forget to take your evening dose, do not take the missed dose the

next morning. Continue treatment in the evening (prior to sleep) with

your normal dose.

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

Like other medications, Zym-MIRTAZAPINE can cause some side effects. You may not experience any of them. For most patients, side effects are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious. Some of these side effects may be dose related. Consult your doctor if you experience these or other side effects, as the dose may have to be adjusted.

• You may experience some side effects, such as increase in

  appetite, swollen ankles or feet, occasional dizziness or faintness (especially when you get up quickly from a lying or sitting position), nausea and headache.

• In rare cases, other effects may include rash, abnormal

  sensation in the skin (e.g., burning, stinging, tickling or tingly), blood cells, involuntary trembling of muscles (tremor), dry mouth, tiredness.

• In very rare cases, other effects may include abnormal

  sensations in the mouth, sensations of numbness in the mouth and swelling in the mouth. Some side effects are temporary. Consult your doctor if you experience these or other side effects, as the dose may have to be adjusted.

Decrease in White Blood Cells

If you experience signs of infection such as sudden unexplainable high fever, chills, sore throat and mouth or nose sores, tell your doctor right away. In rare cases, Zym-MIRTAZAPINE can cause a decrease in white blood cells, which are needed to fight infection.

New or Worsened Emotional or Behavioural Problems

A small number of patients taking drugs of this type may feel worse instead of better; for example, they may experience new or worsened feelings of agitation, hostility or anxiety, or thoughts about suicide. Your doctor should be informed of such changes immediately. Close observation by a doctor is necessary in this situation. Do not discontinue your medication on your own. See also the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section.

Discontinuation Symptoms

Contact your doctor before stopping or reducing your dosage of Zym-MIRTAZAPINE. Symptoms such as dizziness, abnormal dreams, electric shock sensations, agitation, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, headache, tremor, nausea, vomiting, sweating and other symptoms have been reported after stopping Zym-MIRTAZAPINE. These symptoms usually disappear without needing treatment. Tell your doctor immediately if you have these or any other symptoms. Your doctor may adjust the dosage of Zym-MIRTAZAPINE to alleviate the symptoms. See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section for more information.

Effects on Newborns

Some newborns whose mothers took an SSRI or other newer antidepressants during pregnancy have shown such symptoms as breathing and feeding difficulties, jitteriness and constant crying. If your baby experiences any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as you can. See WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS section for more information.

Zym-MIRTAZAPINE Product Monograph Page 39 of 39

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Zym-MIRTAZAPINE, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO STORE IT

• Store at controlled room temperature, 15°C - 30°C, protect from

  light

• Keep Zym-MIRTAZAPINE out of the reach and sight of

  children.

• Do not use Zym-MIRTAZAPINE after the expiry date indicated

  on the package

REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:

• Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
• Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345

• Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:

  • Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
  • Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program Health Canada

Postal Locator 0701E

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0K9

Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect^™ Canada Web site at

www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.

NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

MORE INFORMATION

This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals, can be obtained by contacting the sponsor, Zymcan Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-550-6060.

Zymcan Pharmaceuticals

Montréal Québec

H4P 2T4

Last revised: November 18, 2011