Papilledema Due to Mirtazapine

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Mirtazapine is a tetracyclic antidepressant enhancing noradrenergic and serotonergic transmission.
• Papilledema, often caused by increased intracranial pressure (e.g., brain tumors, idiopathic intracranial hypertension), has diverse etiologies including systemic conditions.
• While mirtazapine is known to rarely cause peripheral edema, its association with papilledema is not previously documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of papilledema potentially associated with mirtazapine treatment.
• To raise clinical awareness regarding this potential adverse effect of mirtazapine.

Main Methods:

• A case report detailing a patient who developed papilledema during mirtazapine therapy.
• Observation of symptom resolution upon discontinuation of mirtazapine.

Main Results:

• The patient developed papilledema while on mirtazapine 30 mg/day for two years.
• Papilledema resolved after mirtazapine treatment was terminated.

Conclusions:

• Papilledema associated with mirtazapine, though rare, should be considered in patients presenting with this condition.
• Regular fundoscopic examinations are crucial for patients undergoing antidepressant treatment, particularly with mirtazapine.
• This case adds to the literature on drug-induced papilledema, specifically implicating mirtazapine.