Use of Mirtazapine in feline medicine
Mirtazapine is used as an antidepressant in humans. However, it has recently attracted interest in veterinary medicine owing to several desirable effects, namely significant anti-nausea, antiemetic and appetite stimulating properties.
Mirtazapine is a presynaptic α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist. The α2-adrenergic receptors normally act as a negative feedback mechanism that inhibits norepinephrine release. By blocking these receptors, there is a net increase in norepinephrine which contributes to the appetite stimulating effects of the medication. Mirtazapine also antagonises several serotonin (5HT) receptor subtypes such as 5HT2 and 5HT3 receptors. Antagonism of 5HT3 receptors accounts for the antinausea and anti-emetic effects of this drug.
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