Mirtazapine fatal poisoning. 2017

Claudia Vignali, and Angelo Groppi, and Francesca Brandolini, and Francesco Maria Avato, and Anna Talarico, and Rosa Maria Gaudio, and Luca Morini
Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: claudia.vignali@unipv.it.

Mirtazapine is a noradrenergic and specific serotoninergic antidepressant agent that stimulates norepinephrine and serotonin release while also blocking serotonin receptors (5-HT2 and 5-HT3). Although the drug is used extensively, at present we do not know of any fatal cases due to mirtazapine alone. On the contrary, the published literature describes several fatal poisoning cases related to the intake of mirtazapine together with other drugs. Here we describe a fatal case of mirtazapine self-poisoning, since the other drug detected (lorazepam), was within the therapeutic range. Analyses were performed by LC-MS/MS on body fluids and a hair sample and mirtazapine concentration measured in blood was very high: 9.3mg/L. N-Desmethylmirtazapine was also quantitated. We then compared our results with those of previously published cases. In conclusion, even though mirtazapine can be considered a relatively safe drug, taking a large amount alone or in combination with other drugs, could lead to death.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008803 Mianserin A tetracyclic compound with antidepressant effects. It may cause drowsiness and hematological problems. Its mechanism of therapeutic action is not well understood, although it apparently blocks alpha-adrenergic, histamine H1, and some types of serotonin receptors. Lerivon,Mianserin Hydrochloride,Mianserin Monohydrochloride,Org GB 94,Tolvon,Hydrochloride, Mianserin,Monohydrochloride, Mianserin
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D002853 Chromatography, Liquid Chromatographic techniques in which the mobile phase is a liquid. Liquid Chromatography
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000078785 Mirtazapine A piperazinoazepine tetracyclic compound that enhances the release of NOREPINEPHRINE and SEROTONIN through blockage of presynaptic ALPHA-2 ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS. It also blocks both 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 serotonin receptors and is a potent HISTAMINE H1 RECEPTOR antagonist. It is used for the treatment of depression, and may also be useful for the treatment of anxiety disorders. (N-Methyl-11C)mirtazapine,(S)-Mirtazapine,6-Azamianserin,Esmirtazapine,Norset,ORG 3770,ORG-3770,Org 50081,Remergil,Remeron,Rexer,Zispin,6 Azamianserin,ORG3770
D000929 Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic Substances that contain a fused three-ring moiety and are used in the treatment of depression. These drugs block the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin into axon terminals and may block some subtypes of serotonin, adrenergic, and histamine receptors. However, the mechanism of their antidepressant effects is not clear because the therapeutic effects usually take weeks to develop and may reflect compensatory changes in the central nervous system. Antidepressants, Tricyclic,Tricyclic Antidepressant,Tricyclic Antidepressant Drug,Tricyclic Antidepressive Agent,Tricyclic Antidepressive Agents,Antidepressant Drugs, Tricyclic,Agent, Tricyclic Antidepressive,Agents, Tricyclic Antidepressive,Antidepressant Drug, Tricyclic,Antidepressant, Tricyclic,Antidepressive Agent, Tricyclic,Drug, Tricyclic Antidepressant,Drugs, Tricyclic Antidepressant,Tricyclic Antidepressant Drugs,Tricyclic Antidepressants
D013058 Mass Spectrometry An analytical method used in determining the identity of a chemical based on its mass using mass analyzers/mass spectrometers. Mass Spectroscopy,Spectrometry, Mass,Spectroscopy, Mass,Spectrum Analysis, Mass,Analysis, Mass Spectrum,Mass Spectrum Analysis,Analyses, Mass Spectrum,Mass Spectrum Analyses,Spectrum Analyses, Mass
D013405 Suicide The act of killing oneself. Suicides

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