New onset multimodal hallucinations associated with mirtazapine: a case report

Int Psychogeriatr. 2010 Aug;22(5):837-9. doi: 10.1017/S1041610210000554. Epub 2010 May 26.

Abstract

Mirtazapine, a commonly used antidepressant, has a relatively safe side effect profile and is commonly used in the elderly for treatment of depression. It has been proposed as being particularly suitable for patients with depression associated with insomnia and weight loss. Although mental status changes and perceptual abnormalities secondary to its use are rare, special care needs to be taken, especially while starting treatment or while increasing the dose. We report three cases of auditory, musical and visual hallucinations associated with the use of mirtazapine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / adverse effects*
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Hallucinations / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mianserin / adverse effects
  • Mianserin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Mianserin / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Mirtazapine

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Mianserin
  • Mirtazapine