Key takeaways
Mirtazapine (Remeron) and trazodone are both atypical antidepressants used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults, but they have some key differences. Mirtazapine (Remeron) is a tetracyclic antidepressant that works by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain, while trazodone is a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) that primarily affects serotonin. Mirtazapine is typically taken once daily at night, whereas trazodone is taken once at night for sleep or multiple times a day for depression. Mirtazapine is more likely to cause weight gain and sleepiness, while trazodone commonly causes dizziness and blurred vision. Both medications can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly and have serious side effects like serotonin syndrome and QT prolongation. Mirtazapine is available in both oral and dissolvable tablet forms, while trazodone is only available as an oral tablet.
