mirtazapine

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.

Can taking mirtazapine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?

According to the MotherToBaby fact sheet, mirtazapine might raise levels of a hormone called prolactin in some people, and high prolactin levels can stop ovulation, which could make it harder to get pregnant. A healthcare provider can test prolactin levels if there is concern, so this is something to discuss with your provider.

Does taking mirtazapine increase the risk of miscarriage?

Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many reasons, and the fact sheet states it is not known whether mirtazapine could increase the chance of miscarriage. It also notes that depression itself might increase the chance of miscarriage. Decisions about treatment during pregnancy should be made together with your healthcare provider.

Does taking mirtazapine increase the risk of birth defects?

The fact sheet notes that about 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect for various reasons. Studies and case reports looking at nearly 5,000 pregnancies with mirtazapine exposure have not found an increased chance of birth defects. Any individual questions about your situation should be reviewed with your healthcare provider.

Can taking mirtazapine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?

Some studies suggest that taking mirtazapine throughout pregnancy might increase the chance of preterm delivery or low birth weight, though untreated depression has also been linked to preterm delivery, low birth weight, and pre-eclampsia. This makes it difficult to know whether the medication, the underlying condition, or other factors contribute to these outcomes. Additionally, babies exposed near delivery may have temporary symptoms such as excitability, fast heart rate, tremors, or trouble regulating body temperature, which are usually mild — discussing this with your provider helps ensure appropriate newborn care.

Can taking mirtazapine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?

The fact sheet states that studies have not been done to see whether mirtazapine can cause behavior or learning issues in the child. Because this question has not been studied, it is best to discuss it with your healthcare provider.

Is it safe to breastfeed while taking mirtazapine?

The fact sheet notes that mirtazapine passes into breast milk in small amounts, and most nursing babies have not had reported side effects. If a baby shows symptoms such as being overly sleepy, the fact sheet advises contacting the child's healthcare provider. Any breastfeeding questions should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet