Didn't work as expected after Mirtazapine (Mirataz) in cats

The FDA has received 307 reports of didn't work as expected in cats after Mirtazapine. That is 16% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

307Reports
36%Marked serious
23%Recovered
19%Died or euthanised
8 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
51 20%
1–2 days
37 15%
3–7 days
35 14%
1–4 weeks
58 23%
Over a month
74 29%

How the animals did

Recovered
72 23%
Still unwell when reported
51 17%
Died
18 5.9%
Euthanised
40 13%
Not known
126 41%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite
69 22%
Death
56 18%
Weight loss
47 15%
Lethargy
40 13%
Vomiting
28 9.1%
Application site reaction
26 8.5%
Kidney problems
20 6.5%
Blood problems
14 4.6%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
11
4–7 years
26
8–11 years
41
12+ years
191

About this medicine

Mirtazapine stimulates appetite (cats: ointment applied to the ear).

Products with this ingredient include Mirataz. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Mirtazapine cause didn't work as expected in cats?
307 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 8 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Didn't work as expected with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Mirtazapine in cats · Medicines most reported with didn't work as expected