{"id":635688,"date":"2026-04-09T09:30:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=635688"},"modified":"2026-04-09T16:15:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T20:15:08","slug":"mirtazapine-foods-to-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/mirtazapine-foods-to-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"5 foods to be careful with if you take mirtazapine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Roughly 11% of adults in the United States are on medication for depression, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of those drugs, <\/span>mirtazapine<\/span><\/a>, is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder, though it is sometimes used off-label for conditions that include insomnia, appetite stimulation, weight gain, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re taking mirtazapine (brand name <\/span>Remeron<\/span><\/a>), be advised that the drug does have interactions with a number of foods. Here, we\u2019ll dive into the five you should consume with caution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t

Save up to 80% on Mirtazapine with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tMirtazapine 15 mg (30 tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$8.99\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$8.99\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Mirtazapine prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

How mirtazapine works<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mirtazapine belongs to a class of drugs known as tetracyclic antidepressants that work by helping your brain keep more of certain \u201cfeel-good\u201d chemicals\u2014mainly serotonin and norepinephrine. It does this by blocking signals that normally slow down the release of these chemicals. As a result, more of them stay active in your brain, which can help improve your mood, energy, focus, and overall sense of well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to how soon you\u2019ll see results, the answer varies. You may see initial improvement in your energy, appetite, and sleep within just a week or two of starting mirtazapine. However, it could be up to six to eight weeks before there is significant progress with <\/span>depressive moods<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

5 foods and drinks to limit with mirtazapine<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cUnlike other medications, mirtazapine does not interact with any specific foods,\u201d explains <\/span>Erika Gray, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, founder and chief medical officer at ToolBox Genomics. \u201cHowever, caution should be exercised around a few food groups.\u201d Work with your healthcare provider to determine how much, if any, of the following are safe for you when taking this antidepressant.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Alcohol<\/span><\/h3>\n

It comes as no surprise that alcohol tops the list. Alcohol is a depressant that alters your brain chemistry, leading to inhibition, drowsiness, sedation, and lethargy. <\/span>Drinking alcohol with mirtazapine<\/span><\/a> puts you at an increased risk of <\/span>sedation.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Interestingly, in a study on people with both alcohol dependence and depression, those who took mirtazapine not only saw <\/span>improvement with their mental health<\/span><\/a>, but their average drinking dropped as well. In other words, you may want to drink less while taking the medication anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Caffeinated drinks<\/span><\/h3>\n

While it isn\u2019t dangerous to consume caffeine while on your medication, you may want to think twice about how much you have. Caffeine and mirtazapine are at odds with each other because caffeine is a stimulant, and mirtazapine has a sedative effect. While a comprehensive review found <\/span>no significant interaction<\/span><\/a> between the two, researchers noted that it may still feel like one is working against the other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDrinking too much caffeine can cancel out the calming effects of mirtazapine and might make you feel jittery or agitated,\u201d warns registered dietitian <\/span>Ashley Kitchens, RDN<\/span><\/a>, owner of Plant Centered Nutrition in Durham, North Carolina.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Excessive amounts of grapefruit<\/span><\/h3>\n

Grapefruit, which is contraindicated with a number of medicines and supplements, affects the liver enzyme CYP3A4, which metabolizes mirtazapine. When this happens, it\u2019s possible for the drug to <\/span>pass into your bloodstream<\/span><\/a> and potentially lead to dangerously high levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a lot of conflicting information about grapefruit and mirtazapine. However, the food may still be safe to consume if you stick to moderate amounts. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Grapefruit does inhibit the liver enzyme CYP3A4, but the other pathways are strong enough that you don\u2019t need to totally avoid grapefruit,\u201d <\/span>\u00a0says Kitchens.<\/span> \u201cEating one grapefruit is generally fine, but it\u2019s probably not best to have several to avoid any interactions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t