Mirtazapine vs Citalopram: side-by-side comparison
Mirtazapine (Atypical antidepressant (NaSSA)) and Citalopram (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Mirtazapine | Citalopram |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Atypical antidepressant (NaSSA) | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
| CAS | 85650-52-8 | 59729-33-8 |
| ATC | N06AX11 | N06AB04 |
| Molecular weight | 265.36 g/mol | 324.39 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Mirtazapine and Citalopram share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Mirtazapine acts by a different mechanism than Citalopram, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Mirtazapine: La mirtazapine antagonise les autorécepteurs et hétérorécepteurs α2-adrénergiques présynaptiques, ce qui augmente la libération de noradrénaline et de sérotonine. Citalopram: Le citalopram inhibe sélectivement le transporteur de recapture de la sérotonine, augmentant la disponibilité synaptique de la sérotonine avec une affinité limitée pour les transporteurs de la noradrénaline ou les autres…
Indications compared
Mirtazapine: La mirtazapine est autorisée dans la dépression caractérisée. Citalopram: Le citalopram est autorisé dans la dépression caractérisée.
Safety profile
Mirtazapine: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent la sédation (maximale aux faibles doses de 7,5 à 15 mg, paradoxalement moindre aux doses supérieures), l'augmentation de l'appétit, la prise de poids, la sécheresse buccale e… Citalopram: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent nausées, sécheresse buccale, céphalées, troubles de la fonction sexuelle, troubles du sommeil et augmentation de la sudation.
Questions fréquentes
Is Mirtazapine better than Citalopram? ▾
Mirtazapine and Citalopram are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Mirtazapine and Citalopram be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Mirtazapine
Products with Citalopram
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.