mianserin hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Tetracyclic antidepressant
Licensed use
Symptoms of depressive illness
Administration
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole without chewing.
Driving and alcohol
Drowsiness can impair driving or machinery use, and alcohol can make it worse.
What is mianserin hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Relief of symptoms of depressive illness.
How does mianserin hydrochloride work?
Mianserin blocks presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors, increasing noradrenaline activity in the brain, while also affecting serotonin receptors. Its histamine-blocking action contributes to drowsiness. Its antidepressant mechanism is not fully understood.
mianserin hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg, 30 mg
How to take mianserin hydrochloride
Take mianserin exactly as prescribed. Swallow the tablet whole with water and do not chew it. Do not drink alcohol because this can increase drowsiness, and speak to the prescriber before stopping treatment.
Tell an anaesthetist or dentist that you take mianserin before an operation or procedure.
Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision.
mianserin hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness, particularly during the first few days of treatment.
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, sore throat, mouth inflammation or other infection symptoms, which may indicate bone-marrow suppression.
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or worsening suicidal behaviour.
- Seizures.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, which may indicate a liver reaction.
- Markedly elevated mood, agitation or unusual behaviour suggesting hypomania or mania.
- Severe drowsiness, confusion or seizures that may indicate low blood sodium.
mianserin hydrochloride in pregnancy
Mianserin is not normally used during pregnancy because human safety evidence is limited. It should be considered only when there are compelling clinical reasons after discussion with the prescriber or specialist; exposure near birth may be associated with symptoms in the newborn.
mianserin hydrochloride while breastfeeding
The selected product information contraindicates mianserin during breastfeeding. If treatment is considered essential, specialist advice is needed about an alternative treatment or stopping breastfeeding because mianserin can enter breast milk.
mianserin hydrochloride interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products. Important interactions include:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including phenelzine, tranylcypromine and moclobemide
They must not overlap with mianserin; a prescriber-managed treatment gap is required because serious reactions may occur.
Alcohol, sleeping medicines, anxiolytics and antipsychotics
Sedation and other central nervous system depressant effects may be increased.
Phenytoin
Mianserin can affect phenytoin exposure, so plasma-level monitoring may be needed.
Common questions about mianserin hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
How long does mianserin hydrochloride take to work?
Improvement may not be noticeable during the first few weeks. Contact the prescriber if symptoms worsen or suicidal thoughts occur rather than changing or stopping treatment independently.
Why does mianserin hydrochloride make me sleepy?
It has strong antihistamine activity and a marked sedative effect. Drowsiness is particularly likely early in treatment.
Can I drink alcohol with mianserin hydrochloride?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.