Liver problems after Mirtazapine (Mirataz) in cats

The FDA has received 126 reports of liver problems in cats after Mirtazapine. That is 6.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.8% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

126Reports

84%Marked serious

8.7%Recovered

49%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

25 22%

1–2 days

25 22%

3–7 days

15 13%

1–4 weeks

16 14%

Over a month

31 28%

How the animals did

Recovered

11 8.7%

Still unwell when reported

37 29%

Died

17 13%

Euthanised

45 36%

Not known

16 13%

Problems reported at the same time

94 75%

65 52%

62 49%

54 43%

41 33%

40 32%

38 30%

36 29%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 liver problems in cats?: 126 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 5 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

Liver problems after Maropitant (Cerenia) 331 reports · 8.6% of its reports
Liver problems after Capromorelin (Entyce) 46 reports · 5.6% of its reports

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