Chronic dosing with mirtazapine does not produce sedation in rats

Objective: Sedation/somnolence are major side effects of pharmacotherapies for depression, and negatively affect long-term treatment compliance in depressed patients. Use of mirtazapine (MIR), an atypical antidepressant approved for the treatment of moderate to severe depression with comorbid anxiety disorders, is associated with significant sedation/somnolence, especially in short-term therapy. Nonetheless, studies with human subjects suggest that MIR-induced sedation is transient, especially when high and repeated doses are used. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of acute and chronic administration of different doses of MIR on sedation in the rat. Methods: Assessment of sedation was carried out behaviorally using the rotarod, spontaneous locomotor activity, and fixed-bar tests. Results: A 15-mg/kg dose of MIR induced sedative effects for up to 60 minutes, whereas 30 mg/kg or more produced sedation within minutes and only in the first few days of administration. Conclusion: These results suggest that 30 mg/kg is a safe, well-tolerated dose of MIR which generates only temporary sedative effects.

Tratamiento conjunto con mirtazapina y terapia antiretroviral para la leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva asociada a infección por VIH-1: presentación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Mirtazapine and antiretroviral therapy in the treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with HIV-1 infection: report of a case and review of literature

We report a 43 years old HIV-1 infected male who developed a severe subacute neurological damage because of a progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy confirmed by PCR for JC virus. The patient was treated with antiretroviral therapy in adequate doses for CNS penetration and mirtazapine, an antidepressant inhibitor of serotonin receptors. His evolution during one year follow up has been favorable in both, clinically and images.

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de sexo masculino, de 43 años portador de VIH que desarrolló un grave daño neurológico subagudo debido a una leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva diagnosticada mediante reacción de polimerasa en cadena de virus JC. El paciente fue tratado con terapia anti-retroviral de penetración eficiente al SNC y con mirtazapina, un antidepresivo inhibidor de los receptores de serotonina. Su evolución durante un año de seguimiento ha sido favorable tanto del punto de vista clínico como de imágenes.