Itching after Mirtazapine (Mirataz) in cats

The FDA has received 111 reports of itching in cats after Mirtazapine. That is 5.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

111Reports
50%Marked serious
32%Recovered
12%Died or euthanised
7 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
24 23%
1–2 days
13 13%
3–7 days
18 17%
1–4 weeks
24 23%
Over a month
25 24%

How the animals did

Recovered
35 32%
Still unwell when reported
23 21%
Died
1 0.9%
Euthanised
12 11%
Not known
40 36%

Problems reported at the same time

Application site reaction
51 46%
Loss of appetite
30 27%
Lethargy
17 15%
Behaviour change
16 14%
Hair loss
15 14%
Hiding
12 11%
Death
12 11%
Vomiting
11 9.9%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
10
4–7 years
19
8–11 years
19
12+ years
58

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 itching in cats?
111 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 7 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).

Itching with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Mirtazapine in cats · Medicines most reported with itching